- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Northern China, Mongolia and Siberia
Asia · Herb · № 650
Saposhnikovia divaricata
Herb · Asia
Saposhnikovia root (fang feng)
Saposhnikovia divaricata
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind; for muscle pain, painful diarrhoea, rheumatic complaints and cramps.
Safety notes
According to tradition, caution with blood or yin deficiency. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Not with yin or blood deficiency or heat from yin deficiency.
Preparation
Dried root; the stem base is removed.
Use in traditions
Part of the classical formula yu ping feng san (the 'jade windscreen').
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese food therapy
Attributed effects
Expels wind and soothes muscle pain, painful diarrhoea, rheumatic complaints and cramps. The corn soup strengthens the lungs, helps prevent colds and relieves allergic complaints such as asthma and an inflamed nose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- pungent, sweet, warm
- Meridians
- lung, liver, spleen, bladder
Attributed effects
Expels wind and cold from outside in colds with a stiff neck, chills and headache, expels wind, dampness and cold in rheumatic pain where wind predominates, and supports other herbs in trembling, 'intestinal wind' and migraine.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. The name means 'protects against wind'; especially valued as an antispasmodic in tension headache.
Combinations
- With huang qi and bai zhu in yu ping feng san to prevent colds and flu
- With jing jie, burdock seed and mint for wind heat with fever and sore throat
Caution: Not with yin or blood deficiency or heat from yin deficiency.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction