Library

[Classified as Upper Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
【Names】Tongyun (from *Benjing*), Huiyun (from *Wu Pu*), Huicao (from *Bielu*), Pingfeng (from *Bielu*), Gen (from *Bielu*), Baizhi (from *Bielu*), Baifei (from *Wu Pu*). Li Shizhen says: "Fang" means defense. Its efficacy in treating wind diseases is paramount, hence the name.

【Collection and Explanation】 *Bielu* states: *Fangfeng* grows in river marshes of Shayuan, as well as Handan, Langya, and Shangcai. Roots are harvested in February and October and dried in the sun. Wu Pu says: Leaves sprout in January, thin and round, with colors ranging from green-black to yellow-white. Yellow flowers appear in May. Black fruits form in June. Tao Hongjing says: There is no place named Shayuan in the commanderies or counties. Currently, the best quality comes from Lanling in Pengcheng, which is near Langya. It is also found in Baishi, Yuzhou. Next best is from Xiangyang and Yiyang county borders, which are also usable. The best quality is solid, oily/moist, with head nodes hard like an earthworm's head. Su Gong says: Currently, the best comes from Longshan in Qizhou; those from Zizhou, Yanzhou, and Qingzhou are also good. Leaves resemble *Muhao* (Artemisia verlotiorum) and *Fuzi* seedlings. Shayuan is south of Tongzhou and also produces *Fangfeng*, but it is lighter and less substantial than that from the East Road (Shandong area). Tao's claim that there is no Shayuan is incorrect. Su Song says: Currently, it is found in all prefectures east of Bian, Huai, and Zhe regions. Stems and leaves are green; stems are darker, leaves lighter, resembling *Qinghao* (Artemisia annua) but shorter. In early spring, tender shoots are purplish-red; people in Jiangdong, Songzhou, and Haozhou harvest them as vegetables, very palatable. Small white flowers bloom in May, clustered in large heads, resembling *Shiluo* (Dill) flowers. Fruits resemble *Husui* (Coriander) seeds but larger. Roots are earthy-yellow, similar to *Shukui* (Althaea officinalis) roots, harvested in February and October. Those from Guanzhong are harvested in March and June, but are lighter and less substantial than those from Qizhou. There is also a variety called *Shi Fangfeng* (Stone Fangfeng), produced in Hezhong Prefecture. Roots resemble mugwort roots and are yellow; leaves are green, flowers white. Flowers in May, roots harvested in June and dried. It also treats cephalalgia and vertigo caused by wind. Li Shizhen says: Most *Fangfeng* produced in Jianghuai is actually *Shi Fangfeng*, growing among mountain rocks. Tender shoots are harvested in February for food, tasting pungent, sweet, and aromatic, called Shanhucai (Coral Vegetable). Its roots are thick and ugly, but its seeds can be planted. Wu Shou says: When using *Fangfeng*, yellow and moist ones are superior; white ones often contain sandy fibers and are unsuitable.

【Flavor and Properties】 Sweet, warm, non-toxic. *Bielu* states: Pungent, non-toxic. Those with forked heads cause madness; those with forked tails induce chronic diseases.
Wu Pu says: Shennong, Huangdi, Qibo, Tongjun, Leigong, Bianque: Sweet, non-toxic. Li Dangzhi: Slightly cold. Zhang Yuansu says: Pungent and sweet, warm in temperature, thin in flavor and aroma, floating and ascending, belonging to Yang. It is the principal herb for the Foot-Taiyang and Hand-Taiyang meridians. Wang Haogu says: It also circulates through the Foot-Yangming and Foot-Taiyin meridians, acting on the Qi level of the Liver meridian. Li Gao says: *Fangfeng* can constrain *Huangqi* (Astragalus); when combined with *Huangqi*, its efficacy increases greatly; this is a relationship of mutual inhibition and mutual enhancement (Xiangwei Xiangshi). Xu Zhicai says: Combined with Congbai (Scallion stem), it circulates throughout the body; combined with Zexie (Alisma) and Gaoben (Ligusticum), it treats wind; combined with Danggui (Angelica sinensis), Shaoyao (Paeonia lactiflora), Yangqishi (Calcitum), and Yuyuliang (Haematites), it treats uterine diseases in women.

【Indications】 Severe wind, dizziness, aversion to wind, blindness due to wind pathogen causing inability to see, wind circulating throughout the body, pain and bi-syndrome in bone joints, irritability and fullness. Long-term use lightens the body (*Benjing*). Hypochondriac pain, wind in hypochondrium, migratory pain in head and face, spasms and contracture of four limbs, dystocia, and internal tetanus from metal wounds (*Bielu*). Treats thirty-six types of wind, all kinds of exhaustion and weakness in men, tonifies the middle, benefits spirit, wind-red eyes, stops cold tears and paralysis, unblocks the five zang organs' pulse gates, treats five labors and seven injuries, emaciation and night sweats, heart vexation and heavy body, calms the mind and stabilizes will, harmonizes qi pulses (*Rihua Zi*). Treats wind pathogen in the Upper Jiao, drains Lung excess, disperses stagnant qi in head and eyes, removes retained dampness in collaterals, primarily treats upper body bleeding (*Yuansu*). Searches out Liver Qi (*Haogu*).

Leaves
【Indications】 Wind-heat stroke with sweating (*Bielu*). Su Song says: A type of *Fangfeng* in Jiangdong, eating its tender shoots is said to move wind, which contradicts this text; could it be a different species?

Flowers
【Indications】 Spasms and contracture of four limbs, inability to walk, deficiency and emaciation of meridians, pain between bone joints, heart and abdominal pain (*Zhen Quan*).

Seeds
【Indications】 Superior for treating wind, taken as food (*Su Gong*).

【Elucidation】 Zhang Yuansu says: *Fangfeng* is generally used for wind. For wind pathogen above the waist, use the root body; for wind pathogen below the waist, use the root tip. It is a divine herb for treating wind and removing dampness, because wind can overcome dampness. It drains Lung excess; mistaken use drains the Yuan Qi of the Upper Jiao. Li Gao says: *Fangfeng* treats whole-body pain, acting like a humble servant going wherever guided; it is a moistening agent among wind-dispelling herbs. If tonifying Spleen and Stomach, it cannot function without being used as a guiding herb. For stiff neck and back pain, inability to turn the head, waist feeling like breaking, neck feeling like pulling, these are Taiyang meridian syndromes, where *Fangfeng* is indicated. For sores above the chest and diaphragm, even without Taiyang symptoms, it should be used, as it dissipates nodules and removes upper wind. Patients with body stiffness and fatigue have wind; if sores present this symptom, *Fangfeng* must be used. In Qian Yi's *Xiehuang San*, doubling the dose of *Fangfeng* is to drain Wood within Earth (i.e., clear Liver heat while strengthening Spleen).

【Attached Prescriptions】 Two old, eleven new.
Spontaneous sweating not stopping: *Fangfeng* (remove rhizome), powdered. Take 2 qian per dose, decocted with Fomai (Floating Wheat). *Zhu Shi Jiyan Fang*: *Fangfeng* stir-fried with bran, taken with pig skin decoction. Night sweats during sleep: *Fangfeng* 2 liang, Xiong (Chuanxiong) 1 liang, Renshen (Ginseng) 0.5 liang. Powdered. Take 3 qian per dose before bed. (*Yijian Fang*)
Eliminate wind and regulate Qi: Elderly with constipation. *Fangfeng*, Zhike (Immature Bitter Orange, stir-fried with bran) 1 liang, Gancao (Licorice) 0.5 liang. Powdered. Take 2 qian before meals with plain water. (*Jianbian Fang*)
Deviant and regular Cephalalgia: *Fangfeng*, Baizhi (Angelica dahurica) equal parts. Powdered, honey pills size of mustard seeds. Chew one pill, swallow with tea liquor. (*Puji Fang*)
Traumatic wind, trismus. Tiannanxing (Arisaema cum Bile), *Fangfeng* equal parts. Powdered. Take 2-3 spoons per dose, decocted in 5 sheng of urine from an uncircumcised boy until reduced to 4 sheng, divide into two doses, stops immediately. (*Jingyan Houfang*)
Infant cranial suture separation (Open fontanelle): *Fangfeng*, Baiji (Bletilla striata), Baiziren (Biota seed) equal parts. Powdered. Mix with milk and apply externally, change once daily. (*Yangsheng Zhu Lun*)
Uterine bleeding (Metrorrhagia): Dusheng San: *Fangfeng* (remove rhizome, roast until red), powdered. Take 1 qian per dose, mixed with flour paste and wine, followed by more flour paste wine. This prescription has proven effective repeatedly. Another formula: Add Chaohei Puhuang (Burnt Polygonatum pollen) equal parts. (*Jingyan Houfang*)
Resolve Aconite toxicity: Fuzi (Prepared Aconite), Tianxiong (Prepared lateral root of Aconite) are toxic. Decoct *Fangfeng* and drink the juice. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Resolve Genkwa toxicity: Same as above.
Resolve wild mushroom toxicity: Same as above. Resolve various drug toxicities: If dead but heart remains warm, it is heat toxin poisoning. Use only *Fangfeng*, grind with cold water and force-feed. (Wan Shi, *Jishan Tang*)