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(Shennong Bencao Jing [Classic of Materia Medica], Upper Grade)

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.

[Indications] Primarily treats severe wind pathogens, dizziness and headache with aversion to wind, blindness or visual impairment caused by wind pathogens, wind circulating throughout the body causing pain and bi-syndrome in bone joints, and irritability with fullness. Long-term use makes the body feel light and agile.

[Verification] It is said: The best quality comes from Longshan in Qizhou; those from Qingzhou, Yanzhou, and Zizhou are also good. Sprouts emerge in February, reddish-purple in color, tender and refreshing when eaten as a vegetable. In March, stems and leaves turn green, with dark stems and pale leaves, resembling Artemisia viridis (Qinghao) but shorter and smaller. Flowers bloom in May, resembling Anethum graveolens (Dill) flowers but white in color, clustered into chambers; seeds resemble Coriandrum sativum (Huxu) seeds but slightly larger. Roots are harvested in September, resembling Beta vulgaris var. cicla (Kuigen) roots but yellow. There is a variety called Shifangfeng, growing among mountain rocks, with green leaves and white flowers, and roots resembling Artemisia roots but coarse and ugly. For processing, remove the forked heads and tails, as well as withered and black parts. The forked head can cause madness, and the forked tail can induce chronic diseases. Processed with yellow millet. It is incompatible with Bixie (Bixie Rhizoma). It can neutralize the toxicity of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata). It is adverse to Lulü (Veratrum nigrum), Bailian (Liriope turgidae Bulbus), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), and Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos). When combined with Congbai (Allii fistulosi Bulbus), it can circulate throughout the body; when combined with Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) and Bencao (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), it can treat wind disorders; when combined with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Yangqishi (Yangqishi), and Yuyuliang (Haematitum), it can treat uterine wind disorders in women.

My late father said: Among the "Four Elements" (Earth, Water, Fire, Wind), Wind has the greatest power, holding and maintaining the world, entering every crevice. If the human body's couli (skin pores and interstitial spaces) are loose and leaking, then the Shengqi (Vital Qi, here referring to Wei-Qi or Defensive Qi) cannot adequately guard, and wind enters. Therefore, to defend and shield against wind, one must rely on the Shengqi that connects with heaven. Fangfeng is yellow and unblocks the center, promoting the essence of food and drink to prevent the arrival of thief-wind; this is why it was named so. It is also said: The body is composed of the Four Elements, characterized by movement as Wind. Thus, if places in the body that should move do not move, it indicates a deficiency of Wind Element; if places that should move move excessively, it indicates an excess of Wind Element. Fangfeng is sweet, warm, and pungent in dispersing, moistening and unblocking internally, capable of balancing and regulating evenly. Neither excessive nor deficient, this is the function of Fangfeng. It is also said: Guarding oneself through oneself, harmonizing Qi with fragrance.

[Commentary] It is said: Movement and fluttering are the inherent nature of Wind-Wood. If Earth loses its ability to retain and hinder, Wind-Wood pathology occurs; conversely, Wind-Wood pathology can cause Earth to lose its retaining ability. For example, wind in the head causes dizziness and vertigo; in the eyes, it causes blurred vision or blindness; in bone joints, it causes painful irritability. Painful irritability, blurred vision, and dizziness are merely manifestations of the fluttering nature of Wind-Wood. Wind circulating throughout the body demonstrates its characteristic of moving rapidly and changing frequently. The flavor is sweet and fragrant, yellow and unblocking the center, consolidating the essence of the Nine Soils to prevent the insult of the Eight Winds. They enter via Xun (Wind), we stop via Gen (Mountain/Stillness). In Earth, it transforms into growth and generation; in Wood, it inevitably transforms into bearing the earth and emerging.

(The function is to consolidate the virtue and utility of Earth to prevent the overacting of Wind-Wood. If Wind-Wood has already overacted upon Earth, would it not bear the earth upwards? Thus, driving away the external insult of Wind-Wood is precisely executing the virtue of Earth. It is because Earth loses its substance and function that Wind-Wood overacts. Shi Ming [Name Explanation] says: Shang (Upper) sounds like Tu (Vomit/Eject), meaning it can...)

(Suwen: Shengqi Tongtian Lun states that Wei-Qi is called Shengqi, and metaphorically referred to as Yang-Qi, like the sun in the sky. If it loses its proper position, lifespan is shortened and brilliance is lost; this is the root of life.)

Fangfeng has a yellow texture, possessing the color of Central Earth. Its sweet and warm flavor belongs specifically to Central Earth. Essentially, the virtue of Earth is only fragrant; abundant and penetrating fragrance repels all evil odors. Therefore, for wind affecting the head, eyes, body, and neck, which has not yet entered the Zang organs, Fangfeng can repel and withdraw it from the center. In contrast, Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) is bitter and pungent, primarily draining, and treats different syndromes. Fangfeng is like employing a virtuous minister to resist external invaders, whereas Fangji is like using authority to clear treacherous officials around the ruler. However, taking the name literally, "Fangji" implies self-defense, but also suggests that itself is something to be guarded against. It is like a capable minister in peaceful times and a heroic villain in chaotic times. Hence, Bencao Jing lists Fangfeng in the Upper Grade and Fangji in the Middle Grade.

Only by obtaining the ascending Yang Qi of Earth can it transform the heavy and stagnant form of Earth. Wind supports Earth, viewing the great earth as light as a goose feather; this is why the body feels light.)