Chinese herbal medicine Fang Feng is used to treat both one-sided and bilateral headaches that have lasted for a long time, as well as persistent headaches caused by wind-dampness and heat damage to the eyes and brain. Fang Feng is a common herb used for dispelling dampness, also known as Zhujie Fang Feng, Mao Qian Hu, and Xi Feng. It is the root of the perennial herb Saposhnikovia divaricata, mainly produced in Sichuan and Guizhou provinces!
【Morphological characteristics of Fang Feng】
Fang Feng, also known as Zhujie Fang Feng, Mao Qian Hu, or Xi Feng, is the root of the perennial herb Saposhnikovia divaricata, mainly produced in Sichuan and Guizhou provinces. The dried roots are cylindrical and slightly curved, with some branches, measuring 15-30 cm in length and 0.6-1.5 cm in thickness.
The surface is gray-brown or brownish-brown. The top of the root is often accompanied by residual stems, and there are nodular leaf scars and adventitious roots at the base. The root is light, hard and brittle, with a pale yellow-white cross-section and no flesh, mostly fibrous. It has a slight aroma and a spicy taste. Dried roots without fine tail roots are preferred. Fang Feng produced in Sichuan is used for its medicinal properties.
【Efficacy and actions of Fang Feng】
1. Fang Feng is used to treat tetanus, as it has the effect of dispelling wind and relieving spasms, but it is often used in combination with other herbs such as Tian Nan Xing, Tian Ma, and Bai Fu Zi.
2. Fang Feng is used to relieve the surface and dispel wind. It can disperse wind-cold and wind-heat, similar to Jing Jie. Therefore, these two herbs are often used together.
3. Fang Feng can dispel wind-dampness and relieve pain. It is often used in combination with Qiang Huo, Fang Ji, and other herbs to treat rheumatic pain, among other conditions.
4. Fang Feng has hemostatic and antidiarrheal effects. It is often used in combination with Bai Shao, Bai Zhu, and Chen Pi to treat abdominal pain and diarrhea. When used for rectal bleeding or excessive menstrual flow, it is usually charred before use.
