Saposhnikovia, Fang Feng, 防风

Ledebouriella, Chinese Siler
Fang Feng (TCM)
Saposhnikovia divaricata (syn. Siler divaricata)
Ledebour, Icones plantarum novarum, 1829

Peucedanum terebinthaceum
(Photo by Qwert1234) (Wikimedia)

Saposhnikovia Fang Feng sliced root (Adam, 2017)

Botanical name:

Saposhnikovia divaricata (syn. Siler divaricatum, Ledebouriella divaricata, Stenocoelium divaricatum, Ferula seseloides)
Other local species used for Fang Feng include:

1. Ligusticum brachylobum (Chuan Fang Feng–used in Sichuan)
2. Seseli mairei, S. yunnanensis (Yun Fang Feng–used in Yunnan)
3. Peucedanum terebinthaceum (Shi Fang Feng–used in Hubei)
4. Peucedanum ledebourielloides (Shan Xi Shui Fang Feng–used in Shaanxi)

This was formerly assigned to Siler genus, and may in general be used for Western (Mountain) Siler, Siler montane.

Parts used:

Root

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, dry. Pungent, Sweet
“It is a drug of moistening quality among drugs having the function of dispersing Wind”. (Li Gao)

Classification:

A. Clear Exterior Wind-Cold

Uses:

1. Clears Wind-Cold, Resists Poison, Promotes Sweat:
-Cold, Flu
-acute Headache, chills, body aches
-“Good for treating Leprosy”. (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-“neutralizes toxin of Aconitum Fu Zi“. (Xu Zhi Cai)

2. Clears Wind-Damp, Eases Pain:
-wind-damp muscles and joint pain, especially of an acute nature with moving pain
-also for moving type chronic muscle and joint pain
-also for skin diseases such as Eczema and Psoriasis, especially with itching

3. Settles Wind, Stops Spasms:
-Spasms or Trembling of the hands and feet; Tetanus
-Headache and Migraine
-“Regulates Qi of the Liver” (Wang Hao Gu)
-‘relieves Vertigo and Headache due to Wind’ (Shen Nong Ben Cao)

4. Benefits Qi:
-“tonifies the interior, improves the spiritual condition … good for treating the 5 Overstrains and 7 Harms” (Da Ming)
-“Long-term taking of the drug makes one feel happy” (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
–“ante- and post¬partum diseases” (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

5. Stops Bleeding:
-the carbonized root is used to stop Bleeding

Dose:

Powder: 1–3 grams
Decoction: 3–9 grams

Preparations:
1. Dry Fried Saposhnikovia:
  This reduces the exterior-clearing, Diaphoretic effect, but enhances the effect of Warming the Spleen to stop Diarrhea.
2. Charred Saposhnikovia:
  It is dry fried until blackened but while still holding its shape. This lessens the exterior-resolving, sweat-promoting effect, and warms the Blood to Stops Bleeding.

Comment:

1. A special medicine for Internal and External (acute) Wind diseases: “Good for treating 36 kinds of diseases caused by invasion of pathogenic Wind'” (Da Ming)
2. The main part of the root was formally regarded as superior for treating the upper body while the fine rootlets were said to be more effective for treating the lower body. This is not usually followed today.
3. As noted above, Siler Montane was formerly highly regarded in the Western Tradition, but is no longer available. However, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng (formerly Siler spp.) has similar proerties and is closely related. It may be used for Western Siler in Formula.

Main Combinations:

1. Wind-Cold Cold and Flu:
i. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Cinnamon twig Gui Zhi.
ii. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Paeonia Bai Shao, Angelica Bai Zhi
iii. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Ginger, Clove=
iv. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Ligusticum Gao Ben, Alisma Ze Xie.
v. with deficiency, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Astragalus Huang Qi, Atractylodes Bai Zhu
2. Wind-Heat Cold and Flu:
i. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Mint (Bo He), Scutellaria Huang Qin
ii. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Forsythia Lian Qiao, Lonicera Jin Yin Hua
iii. with interior Heat, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Schizonepeta Jing Jie, Rhubarb (Da Huang), Forsythia Lian Qiao
3. Allergy (Asthma, Chronic Urticaria), Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Schizonepeta Jing Jie
4. Arthritic and Rheumatic Pain:
i. Wind-Damp Joint pain, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Angelica Du Huo.
ii. moving Lower Back Pain, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Eucommia Du Zhong, Dipsacus Xu Duan
iii. Severe Wind-Cold-Damp joint pain, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Aconitum Fu Zi, Atractylodes Bai Zhu
iv. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Notopterygium Qiang Huo, Angelica pubescens Bai Zhi, Dang Gui, Coix Yi Yi Ren, Clematis Wei Ling Xian
v. Wind-Cold-Damp Rheumatic pain, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Angelica Du Huo, Notopterygium Qiang Huo, Piper kadsura Hai Feng Teng
vi. Wind-Heat-Damp Rheumatic pain, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Lonicera caulis Ren Dong Teng, Trachelospermum Luo Shi Teng, Gentian macrophylla Qin Jiao
5. Wind-Phlegm disorders, with heaviness, body aches, numbness:
i. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Arisaema Tian Nan Xing.
ii. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Pinellia Ban Xia, Gastrodia Tian Ma
6. Wind headache:
i. Frontal, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Angelica dahurica Bai Zhi.
ii. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Ligusticum Chuan Xiong.
iii. Acute Wind-Cold, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Angelica dahurica Bai Zhi, Schizonepeta Jing Jie
iv. Internal Wind, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Gastrodia Tian Ma, Paeonia Bai Shao, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong
7. Chronic Infantile Convulsions:
i. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Gastrodia Tian Ma, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Astragalus Huang Qi
ii. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Gastrodia Tian Ma, Uncaria Gou Teng, Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang), Amber
8. Urticaria, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Dang Gui, Sophora Ku Shen, Schizonepeta Jing Jie
9. Eczema:
i. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Smilax glabra Tu Fu Ling, Cnidium She Chuang Zi
ii. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Paeonia Bai Shao, Paeonia Mu Dan Pi, Sophora Ku Shen 
iii. with Heat in the blood and Blood stasis, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Forsythia Lian Qiao, Lonicera Jin Yin Hua, Paeonia Mu Dan Pi, Chinese Motherwort (Yi Mu Cao)
10. Grinding of the Teeth, Tetany, Spasms of the limbs:
i. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Scorpion (Quan Xie)
ii. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Uncaria Gou Teng, Centipede (Wu Gong), White Dead Silkworm (Bai Jiang Can), Typhonium Bai Fu Zi.
11. Toothache from Stomach Fire, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with calcined Gypsum (Duan Shi Gao), Schizonepeta Jing Jie, Asarum Xi Xin and Angelica Bai Zhi, powdered and applied topically. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
12. Wind-Damp-Cold diarrhea:
i. Dry-fried Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Atractylodes Bai Zhu or Cang Zhu, Poria Fu Ling.
ii. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Paeonia Bai Shao, Citrus Chen Pi.
13. Blood in the Stool, stir-fried Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with charred Burnet (Di Yu)
14. Wind in the Uterus, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Dang Gui, Paeonia Bai Shao, Actinolite (Yang Qi Shi), Limonite (Yu Yu Liang)

Major Formulas

Bai Zhu Shao Yao San
Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Da Qin Jiao Tang
Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang
Dang Gui Yin Zi
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Gou Teng San
Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Juan Bi Tang
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang
Shi Wei Bai Du San
Shu Jung Huo Xue Tang
Si Wu Xiao Feng Yin
Tong Xie Yao Fang
Xiao Feng San
Xin Yi San
Yu Ping Feng San
Yu Zhen San
Zai Zao San

Cautions:

1. Yin-deficient Heat
2. Blood deficiency

Toxicity:

No toxicity was noted in acute and sub-chronic exposure to rats of oral intake of Saposhnikovia extract at doses up to 5000mg/kg/day

Main Preparations used:

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GENERAL / REVIEW: –Advances in Phytochemistry and Modern Pharmacology of Saposhnikovia Divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk. –Saposhnikovia divaricata-An Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review. –Simultaneous UHPLC/MS quantitative analysis and comparison of Saposhnikoviae radix constituents in cultivated, wild and commercial products. –Chemical constituents of roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata –Studies on the method for the processing roots of cultivated Saposhnikovia divaricata ANTIBACTERIAL –Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Saposhnikovia divaricata, Peucedanum japonicum and Glehnia littoralis COVID –Roles of existing drug and drug targets for COVID-19 management. FEBRIFUGE –Comparative studies on the febrifugal analgesic and anticonvulsive activities of water extracts from cultivated and wild Saposhnikovia divaricata ANTIOXIDANT –Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Saposhnikovia divaricata, Peucedanum japonicum and Glehnia littoralis –Anti-proliferative and antioxidant activities of Saposhnikovia divaricata ALLERGY –Effects and potential mechanisms of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk. On type I allergy and pseudoallergic reactions in vitro and in vivo. –Network pharmacology-based analysis of the mechanism of Saposhnikovia divaricata for the treatment of type I allergy. –Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Allergic Rhinitis in Children under Data Mining. –Anti-type I allergic effects of Jing-Fang powder extracts via PI3K/Akt pathway in vitro and in vivo. –Screening the anti-allergic components in Saposhnikoviae Radix using high-expression Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 cell membrane chromatography online coupled with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY –New chromones from the roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk with anti-inflammatory activity. –Anti-inflammatory and antiosteoarthritis effects of Saposhnikovia divaricata ethanol extract: in vitro and in vivo studies –Synergistic Effect of Notopterygium incisum and Saposhnikovia divaricata in the Anti-inflammatory Activity INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: –Saposhnikovia divaricata root and its major components ameliorate inflammation and altered gut microbial diversity and compositions in DSS-induced colitis.

ANALGESIC –Comparative studies on the febrifugal analgesic and anticonvulsive activities of water extracts from cultivated and wild Saposhnikovia divaricata –Analgesic components of saposhnikovia root (Saposhnikovia divaricata) ANTICONVULSANT –Comparative studies on the febrifugal analgesic and anticonvulsive activities of water extracts from cultivated and wild Saposhnikovia divaricata  ARTHRITIS–OSETO, RHEUMATOID –Study on the mechanism of action of Saposhnikovia divaricata and its key phytochemical on rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology and bioinformatics. –Research on the improvement effect of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Trucz.) Schischk on rheumatoid arthritis based on the “component-target-pathway” association. –Non-target metabolomic analysis reveals the therapeutic effect of Saposhnikovia divaricata decoction on collagen-induced arthritis rats. –Anti-inflammatory and antiosteoarthritis effects of Saposhnikovia divaricata ethanol extract: in vitro and in vivo studies –The suppressive effects of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng) chromone extract on rheumatoid arthritis –Inhibitory effect of Saposhnikovia divaricate polysaccharide on fibroblast-like synoviocytes from rheumatoid arthritis rat in vitro. LOWERS URIC ACID –Toxicological Evaluation of Saposhnikoviae Radix Water Extract and its Antihyperuricemic Potential. PSORIASIS –‘-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis and inhibits inflammatory cytokines production by suppressing the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. ANTIPROLIFERATIVE –Anti-proliferative and antioxidant activities of Saposhnikovia divaricata CANCER –Polysaccharides Derived from Saposhnikovia divaricata May Suppress Breast Cancer Through Activating Macrophages. –Polysaccharides Derived from Saposhnikovia divaricata May Suppress Breast Cancer Through Activating Macrophages –Effect of Juice and Extracts from Saposhnikovia divaricata Root on the Colon Cancer Cells Caco-2 –Chemical Constituents of the Roots and Rhizomes of Saposhnikovia divaricata and their Cytotoxic Activity –A tumor cell growth inhibitor from Saposhnikovae divaricata.