Chinese medicinal herb Chuan Fang Feng, the root of the dicotyledonous plant Saposhnikovia divaricata, is mainly produced in Sichuan and Guizhou. It has the effects of dispelling wind and removing dampness. Let's take a look at the application methods of Chuan Fang Feng below.
【Morphology of Chuan Fang Feng】
Chuan Fang Feng is a perennial herb, 60-90cm tall. The root neck is thick and measures 1-2.5cm in diameter, with many fibrous leaf sheaths and obvious nodes at the lower end.
The basal leaves have petioles that are 6-22cm long, solid and with short ovate leaf sheaths at the base. The leaf blades are broadly triangular-ovate in outline, three-pinnately divided or lobed, 10-30cm long and 10-26cm wide, with the ultimate lobes lanceolate-ovate in shape.
The base of the leaf blades gradually narrows, sometimes to long elliptic or linear shape, with irregular shallow teeth or deep lobes on the margin. The margin of Chuan Fang Feng has irregular shallow teeth or deep lobes, measuring 1-3cm long and 0.5-1.5cm wide, slightly leathery, with a grooved leaf axis and sparsely short hairs. The stem leaves are similar in shape to the basal leaves, but smaller.
The compound umbels are terminal or lateral, with a diameter of 4-8cm. The involucral bracts are 0-2, linear; the rays are 10-20; the involucel bracts are 2-4, linear; the petals are lanceolate and white. The calyx teeth are small and inconspicuous, and the styles are conical at the base. The schizocarps are elongated, about 6mm long and 3mm wide, with dorsal and middle ribs and broad wing-like lateral ribs. There are 3 oil tubes in the rib furrows and 1-2 oil tubes in the adaxial face. The fruit belly is slightly concave. The flowering period of Chuan Fang Feng is from July to August, and the fruiting period is from September to October.
【Application Methods of Chuan Fang Feng】
1. Chuan Fang Feng is used to treat tetanus and has the effects of dispelling wind and stopping spasms. However, it is often used in combination with other herbs such as Tian Nan Xing, Tian Ma, and Bai Fu Zi.
2. Chuan Fang Feng is mainly used for dispelling wind and releasing the surface. It can disperse wind-cold and wind-heat, similar to Jing Jie. Therefore, the two herbs are often used together.
3. Chuan 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 and other conditions.
4. Chuan Fang Feng has hemostatic and anti-diarrheal effects. It is often used in combination with Bai Shao, Bai Zhu, Chen Pi, etc. for abdominal pain and diarrhea. If used for bleeding or excessive menstruation, it is generally processed by charring.
