Stephania tetrandra, Han Fang Ji 汉防己

Han Fang Ji (TCM)

Stephania tetrandra
Hayata, B., Icones plantarum formosanarum, vol. 1 (1911)

Botanical name:

Stephania tetrandra

Parts used:

Root

Temperature & Taste:

Cold, dry. Bitter, Pungent

Classification:

C. Clear Damp, Promote Urine
D. Clear Wind and Damp

Uses:

1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine
-Edema especially of the lower body, Swelling of the Legs
-Abdominal distention with fluid accumulation, rumbling
-Ascites from Damp accumulation

2. Clears Wind-Damp, Eases Pain:
-Wind-Damp-Heat obstructing the channels and joints
-red, hot, swollen, painful joints

Dose:

Decoction: 4.5–9 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams

Substitute:

1. Sinomenium acutum is used as a substitute in Japan.
2. Cocculus orbiculatus (syn. C. trilobus) (Mu Fang Ji) is used very similarly in TCM.
3. Stephania Han Fang Ji is used as a substitute for the toxic Birthworts when used for Edema, Damp obstruction or Arthritic disease.

Preparation:

Wash with wine and dry in the sun. (Li Shi Zhen)

Main Combinations:

1. Joint Pain:
i. acute Joint or Muscle pain from Wind-Cold-Damp, with Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi).
ii. Wind-Cold-Damp joint pain, with Ephedra Ma Huang, Cinnamon (Rou Gui), Poria Fu Ling (as in Fang Ji Yin from Sheng Ji Zong Lu [Complete Record of Holy Benevolence]).
iii. with Atractylodes Cang Zhu for Wind-Damp pain.
iv. with Gentiana Qin Jiao for Wind-Heat pain.
v. Wind-Damp-Heat-type Joint pain, with Coix Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears) or Barley.
vi. Rheumatism from Damp-Heat, with Talcum Powder (Hua Shi), Coix Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears), Silkworm Feces (Can Sha), Gardenia Zhi Zi (as in Xuan Bi Tang from Wen Bing Tiao Bian [Systematic Differentiation of Warm Disease]).
vi. severe Wind-Damp joint pain with Angelica pubescens Du Huo, Clematis Wei Ling Xian
2. Edema:
i. in weak people, with Poria Fu Ling, Astragalus Huang Qi, Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi) (as in Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang from Jin Gui Yao Lue)
ii. with heavy sensation in the Body, excess Damp, with Astragalus Huang Qi, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Licorice, fresh Ginger (as in Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang from Jin Gui Yao Lue [Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer]).
iii. Damp in the lower abdomen with Pain, Swelling, with Gentian (Long Dan Cao), Phellodendron Huang Bai, Anemarrhena Zhi Mu, Licorice
iv. Facial Edema or Fluid accumulation in the Chest, with Lepidium Ting Li Zi, and Rhubarb (Da Huang)
v. Postpartum Edema, with Lycopus Ze Lan

Major Formulas:

Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan

Cautions:

1. Caution in those with Stomach and Spleen weakness. It is Cold and Bitter, so weakens the Stomach.
2. Not used in Yin deficiency (very drying).
3. Toxic in overdose (30–100 grams)