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(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Jielie (from *Benjing*), Shijie.
Li Shizhen says: According to Li Gao (Dongyuan), Fangji is like a treacherous person who rejoices in others' misfortunes and can instigate trouble; yet if used skillfully, it can also be employed to repel enemies. Its name may derive from this meaning. "Jielie" refers to its texture which splits radially.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Fangji grows in the valleys of Hanzhong. The roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the shade.
Li Dang says: Its stems creep like kudzu. The root is white on the outside and yellow inside, resembling Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng). Those with black radial lines inside resembling wheel spokes are of good quality.
Tao Hongjing says: It is now produced in Yidu and Jianping. Large ones that are bluish-white and spongy are good; those with black spots and hard wood are poor. It is also needed for medicinal food preparations.
Su Song says: It is also found in Qianzhong. However, those from Hanzhong, when broken, show radial patterns like wheel spokes, are solid yellow and fragrant, have very tender stems, and leaves small like Ipomoea (Qian Niu). If you break its stem and blow into one end, air passes through as if it were Akebiae Caulis (Mutong). Those from other places are bluish-white and spongy, have a fishy odor, wrinkled skin, and nail-like projections on top, named Mufangji. Su Gong stated that Mufangji should not be used. Yet ancient formulas include Zhang Zhongjing's Modified Mufangji Decoction for treating Shaoyang disease, as well as Fangji Dihuang Tang and Wuwu Fangji Tang...
Zang Qi says: As Tao described, Hanfangji and Mufangji are named after their root and shoot characteristics.

[Processing] Li Dang says: Do not use woody strips that are yellow, fishy-smelling, wrinkled, and have nail-like projections; these are unsuitable. Only select those with yellow patterns in the heart, cut finely, steam for half a day with Plantaginis Seed Root (Cheqiancaogen) as a counter-agent, then dry and use.
Li Shizhen says: Nowadays, people mostly remove the peel, cut finely, wash with wine, dry, and use.

[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, Neutral, Non-toxic. *Bielu* states: Bitter, Warm. Pu Yue: Shen Nong considered it pungent; Huangdi, Qibo, Tongjun considered it bitter and non-toxic; Li Dang considered it Great Cold. Xu Zhicai says: Bitter, Slightly toxic.
Li Gao says: Greatly bitter and pungent, Cold. It belongs to Yin and has a draining action.
Xu Zhicai says: Yin Nie acts as its guide drug. It neutralizes Xionghuang (Realgar) toxicity. It is incompatible with Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma). It fears Bibi (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma), Nuwan (Anemones Radix), and Lujiang (Halite). It subdues Xiaoshi (Natrii Sulfas).

[Indications] Wind-cold warm malaria, various epilepsy cases caused by hot qi, expelling evil pathogens, promoting urination and defecation (*Benjing*).
Treating cold-heat alternating symptoms of shaoyang pathogenic factors, limb stiffness and spasms due to wind-stroke, opening interstices, benefiting the nine orifices, stopping diarrhea, dissipating abscesses and malignant accumulations, various tinea and insect sores (*Bielu*). Treating wind-dampness, facial paralysis, hand...
Treating damp-heat swelling in the middle and lower jiao, pouring-down foot condition (Hongjiaojiao/Jiaji), circulating through the twelve meridians...
Mufangji: Treats wind-stroke in limbs and joints in men, mutism due to toxic wind, dissipates stagnant qi and abscesses, treats warm malaria and wind-water edema, treats bladder diseases (Zhen Quan).

[Elucidation] Tao Hongjing says: Fangji is an essential herb for treating Fengshui (Wind-Water) syndrome.
Zhen Quan says: Use Mufangji for treating wind; use Hanfangji for treating water.
Li Gao says: To eliminate damp-swelling and pain in the lower jiao, and drain fire-evil from the bladder, one must use Hanfangji and Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Caolongdan) as the sovereign drug, with Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) as minister drugs. Fangji is a herb of the Taiyang channel.
Li Gao says: The *Ten Categories of Materia Medica* states: "That which unblocks removes stagnation," such as Tongcao and Fangji. Fangji is greatly bitter and cold; it can drain damp-heat from the blood, unblock stagnation, and also promote defecation. It supplements Yin and drains Yang, assisting the energies of Autumn and Winter while draining those of Spring and Summer. Compared to humans, it is like someone dangerous yet robust. Rejoicing in misfortune, it can instigate chaos. Yet, if used well, it can overcome凶险 (dangerous) conditions. This is a Mingxuan medicine (herb causing severe reaction to cure serious illness), thus the Sages retained it without abolishing it. Generally, its smell is offensive, and swallowing it causes mental and physical restlessness and reduced appetite. However, when there is damp-heat congestion in the twelve meridians, or pouring-down foot condition, and to clear accumulated heat in the bladder to protect the foundation, no herb can replace this true immortal drug for circulating meridians. If, however, there is internal heat generated by yin deficiency due to dietary irregularity and overwork, and yuan qi and grain essence are already depleted, using Fangji to drain stool will further destroy blood; this is the first situation where it cannot be used. If a person is extremely thirsty and drinks much, indicating heat in the upper jiao lung channel qi level,渗泄 (percolating and draining) is appropriate, but Fangji is a lower jiao blood-level herb; this is the second situation where it cannot be used. External wind-cold invading the lung channel, causing damp-heat in the qi level leading to yellow-red or obstructed urine, is an upper jiao qi pathology; blood herbs are contraindicated; this is the third situation where it cannot be used. Generally, those with upper jiao damp-heat should not use it. Only when lower jiao damp-heat flows into the twelve meridians causing obstruction of the two yin openings should it be used after careful examination.

[Attached Formulas] Three old formulas, nine new formulas.
Pishui (Skin Water) edema, pressing leaves an indentation, no aversion to wind, water qi in the skin, trembling of the four limbs: Fangji Fuling Tang is the primary treatment: Fangji, Huangqi, Guizhi each 3 liang, Fuling 6 liang, Gancao 2 liang. Take 1 liang per dose, boil in 1 sheng of water until half remains, take twice daily. (Zhang Zhongjing Formula)
Fengshui (Wind Water) with aversion to wind, sweating, heavy body, floating pulse: Fangji Huangqi Tang is the primary treatment: Fangji 1 liang, Huangqi 1 liang 2 qian 5 fen, Baizhu 7 qian 5 fen, Zhi Gancao 0.5 liang. Cut into coarse powder. Take 5 qian per dose with 4 slices of Shengjiang, 1 Zao, boil in 1.5 sheng of water until 0.8 sheng remains, take warm. Repeat after some time. Add Shaoyao if abdominal pain occurs. (Zhongjing Formula)
Lin syndrome with dribbling and astringency: Sanwu Mufangji Tang: Use Mufangji, Fangfeng, Dongkuizi each 2 liang. Crush. Boil in 5 sheng of water until 2.5 sheng remains, divide into three doses. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Fluid retention between diaphragm, wheezing and fullness, epigastric hardness, dark complexion, deep-tight pulse, lasting dozens of days, unresponsive to emesis or purgation: Mufangji Tang is the primary treatment. If deficient, it cures immediately; if excess, it recurs in three days. Give again; if ineffective, remove Shigao, add Fuling and Mangxiao: Use Mufangji 3 liang, Renshen... (Zhongjing Formula)
Shaoyang asthma and urgency: Fangji and Renshen in equal parts. Powder. Take 2 qian with Sangbaipi Decoction, regardless of age.
Feiwei (Lung Withering) with asthma and cough: Hanfangji powder 2 qian. Jiangshui (Sour Rice Water) 1 zhan, boil to 0.7 zhan, sip slowly. (*Rumen Shiqin*)
Feiwei with hemoptysis and profuse phlegm: Hanfangji and Tinglizi in equal parts. Powder. Take 1 qian with Nuomici (Glutinous Rice) decoction. (*Gujin Luyan*)
Epistaxis unceasing: Raw Fangji powder, take 2 qian with fresh drawn water, also insuffillate a small amount into the nose. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Huoluan with vomiting and diarrhea: Fangji and Baizhi in equal parts. Powder. Take 2 qian with fresh drawn water. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Sudden eye pain: Fangji soaked in wine three times, powdered. Take 2 qian per dose with warm wine. (*Zhaixuan Fang*)
Neutralize Realgar toxicity: Fangji, decoct juice and drink. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Excess...
[Indications] Rectal prolapse. Roast, powder, decoct and drink as tea (*Zhouhou*).