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Xuan (Qianghuo): Can release the exterior, regulate wandering wind, and dispel wind-dampness through sweating.
Pungent and bitter in flavor, warm in nature. Its qi is vigorous and dispersing; its taste is light and ascending. It enters the Foot-Taiyang (Bladder) meridian to regulate wandering wind; it also enters the Qi aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) and Foot-Jueyin (Liver) meridians, draining Liver Qi and searching out Liver wind. It treats headaches caused by the binding of wind and dampness within the primary meridian (when used with Chuanxiong Rhizome [Chuanxiong], it treats headaches of the Taiyang and Shaoyin meridians; generally, wind-dispelling herbs are used for headaches because only wind can reach the vertex). For diseases of the Du vessel (which runs parallel to the Taiyang meridian), characterized by rigidity of the spine and cold extremities, as well as rigid tetanus (Gangjing) and flaccid tetanus (Roujing) (tetanus without sweat is rigid tetanus; with sweat is flaccid tetanus; there are also cases of tetanus due to blood deficiency. Generally, wind syndromes are suitable for Qianghuo and Fangfeng, known as the "Two Huos," while those with blood deficiency should avoid them). For stroke-induced aphasia (suitable for true stroke; absolutely contraindicated for those with Qi and Blood deficiency). Dizziness and red eyes. It dissipates pathogenic factors of the eight winds from the muscle layer and benefits pain in all joints of the body. It is the principal herb for correcting chaos and restoring order. If headache and generalized body pain are due to blood deficiency, this belongs to internal disorders, and both Qianghuo and Fangfeng are strictly contraindicated.

Fangfeng: Can release the exterior, remove wind, and dispel dampness.
Pungent and sweet in flavor, slightly warm in nature. It ascends and floats, belonging to Yang. It searches out Liver pathogenic factors and drains Lung pathogenic factors, dissipating stagnant Qi in the head and eyes, and removing retained dampness in the collaterals. It primarily treats bleeding from the upper part of the body (used as a guiding herb, it can also treat metrorrhagia). For wind pathogenic factors in the Upper Jiao, causing headache, dizziness, spinal pain, neck stiffness, and generalized body pain, which belong to Taiyang meridian syndromes (Bladder meridian; Xu Zhicai stated: when combined with Scallion White [Congbai], it can circulate throughout the body). It also travels through the Spleen and Stomach meridians, serving as an essential herb for dispelling wind and dampness. (All wind-dispelling herbs can dispel dampness; Li Dongyuan said: it holds a humble position, following wherever guided, acting as a moistening agent among wind herbs; if tonifying the Spleen and Stomach, these herbs must be used as guides to facilitate action). It dissipates red eyes and sores/ulcers. Contraindicated in cases of tetanic spasm due to blood deficiency, headache not caused by wind-cold (internal injury), diarrhea not caused by cold-dampness, cough due to flaming fire, night sweats due to Yin deficiency, and spontaneous sweating due to Yang deficiency. (When combined with Huangqi and Baishao, it further consolidates the exterior and stops sweating; when combined with Huangqi and Baizhu, it forms Yupingfeng San [Jade Windscreen Powder], a sacred medicine for consolidating the exterior. Huangqi's efficacy is greatly enhanced by Fangfeng, representing a relationship of mutual inhibition yet mutual facilitation). The yellow and lustrous variety from Qingzhou is superior, with soft rhizomes being best (those from Laiyang in Dengzhou are secondary; those from Guandong are hard and unusable). It is adverse to Shengjiang (Dried Ginger), Bailian (White Peony Root), and Yuanhua (Genkwa Flower). It fears Bibi (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome). It can neutralize the toxicity of Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root).