Single Herb Glossary

Glossary Home

Back

Fáng Fēng 防風

Pharmaceutical name	Saposhnikoviae Radix
Category	Warm, Acrid, Release the Exterior
Key Properties	Moderate, slightly warm and less drying than most wind-expelling herbs Used for all wind disorders Treat dampness, diarrhea & pain in bowels
Properties	Acrid Sweet Slightly warm
Tropism	UB, LV, SP
Actions & Indications	1) Release Ext, expels Wind (Exterior Wind-Cold) 2) Expel Wind-Dampness and alleviates pain (Exterior Wind-Damp Bi) 3) Expels wind and relieves spasms (Exterior & Interior Wind) - Trembling hands & feet, tetany; Intestinal Wind ; Migraine Headache
Dosages	4.5-9 g
Contraindications (TCM)	Exuberant fire from Yin Deficiency, spasms from Blood Deficiency, or in absence of pathogenic Wind, Damp, or Cold; headaches due to LV Yang Rising or LV Wind
Contraindications (Western)
Chemical Composition	Essential oil 0.3-0.6%, saccharides (saposhnikovan A, B, C), imperatorin, phellopterin, hamaudol, 3-o-angeloylhamaudol, ledebouriellol, sec-o-glycosylhamaudol, 5-omethylvisamminol, cimifugin, prim-o-glycosylcimifugin, anomalin, xanthotoxin, scopoletin, falcarindiol
Pharmacological Effects	• Antipyretic: decoction has mild antipyretic effect in subjects with artificially-induced fever; peak effect observed within 1 to 2 hours after ingestion • Antibiotic: antibacterial effect against Shigella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and S. aureus; antiviral action against influenza viruses
Herb-Drug Interactions
Classical Formula(s)	Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San Ligusticum Chuanxiong Powder to be Taken with Gree 川芎茶調散 (川芎茶调散) Da Qin Jiao Tang (Major Large Gentian Decoction) 大秦艽湯 Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang (Tangkuei Decoction to Pry Out Pain) 當歸拈痛湯 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Angelica Pubescens and Sang-Ji-Sheng Decoction)獨活寄生湯 Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang (Cinnamon Twig, Peony, and Anemarrhena Decoction) 桂枝芍藥知母湯 Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang (Schizonepeta and Forsythia Decoction) 荊芥連翹湯 Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang (Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium) 九味羌活湯 Qian Jin Nei Tuo San (Powder to Support the Interior Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces) 千金内托散 Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang Notopterygium Decoction to Overcome Dampness 羌活勝濕湯 (羌活胜湿汤) Qing Xin Li Ge Tang (Clear the Heart and Enable the Diaphragm Decoction) 清心利膈湯 Shi Wei Bai Du San (Ten-Ingredient Powder to Overcome Toxicity) (deleted ying pi) 十味敗毒散 （減櫻皮） Tong Xie Yao Fang (Important Formula for painful Diarrhea) 痛瀉要方 (痛泻要方) Fang Feng Tong Sheng San (Saposhnikovia powder that sagely unblocks) 防風通聖散 Jia Wei Xiang Su San (Augmented Cyperus and Perilla Leaf Powder) 加味香蘇散 Shi Liu Wei Liu Qi Yin (Sixteen Ingredient Drink for Qi Flow) 十六味流氣飲 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang (Raise the Yang and Augment the Stomach Decoction) 升陽益胃湯 Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin (Immortals Formula for Sustaining Life) 仙方活命飲 Xiao Xu Ming Tang (Minor Prolong Life Decoction) 小續命湯 Xie Huang San (Drain the Yellow Powder) 瀉黃散 Yu Ping Feng San (Jade windscreen powder) 玉屏風散 (玉屏风散) Yu Zhen San (True Jade Powder) 玉真散 Zai Zao San (Renewal Powder) 再造散 Xiao Feng San (Eliminate Wind Powder) 消風散

Back

This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.