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Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix)
Taste: Sweet, Pungent. Temperature: Warm. Nature: Ascending, Yang. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Grows in Shayuan (located in Henan), with roots resembling Malva verticillata (Shukui). Harvested after autumn, dried for medicinal use. It can neutralize the severe toxicity of Aconitum carmichaelii (Wutou). Adverse interactions with Veratrum nigrum (Lilu), Ampelopsis japonica (Bailian), Genkwa flos (Yanhua), and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Ganjiang). Select those that are solid and moist with oil as superior; remove the root crown (Lu tou) and fibrous rootlets resembling hairpin shafts. It is a primary herb of the Taiyang (Bladder) channel, and also circulates through the Spleen and Stomach channels. Though its status is humble like a common soldier, once guided by other herbs, it follows the direction to reach the target, acting as a moistening agent. It is universally used for treating Wind pathogens and is suitable for dispersing Dampness. The main part of the root removes Wind pathogenic factors from the upper half of the body; the tip treats dizziness and headache; it can also improve blindness, thus being called an essential herb for clearing Wind from the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner). If taken mistakenly, it may drain the Yuan Qi (Original Qi) of the Upper Jiao, causing significant harm! The flowers relieve pain in the joints and have efficacy against Wind; the seeds digest food within the stomach and regulate appetite to enhance flavor. Leaves harvested and decocted treat sweating due to Wind-Heat.

Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix / Stephaniae Sinensis Caulis) produced in Xinghua Army
Fangji produced in Qianzhou
Taste: Pungent, Bitter. Temperature: Neutral, Cold. Nature: Yin. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Mostly grows in Hanzhong Prefecture (located in Shaanxi). Circulates through the Twelve Channels. Adverse interaction with Dioscorea hypoglauca (Bixie); resolves the toxicity of Realgar (Xionghuang); adverse interaction with Asarum (Xixin). Its shape is similar to Akebiae Caulis (Mutong), and its aroma permeates both ends. Sellers, finding genuine products hard to obtain, often substitute them with similar-looking varieties. However, their tastes and aromas differ greatly; substitution brings no benefit but causes harm. When seeking remedies, careful examination is highly advisable. Due to differences between roots and stems, they have different treatments and names: Han Fangji refers to the root, which when broken shows a pattern like chariot spokes, is yellowish-solid, and fragrant; Mu Fangji refers to the stem, which has wrinkled skin with wart-like protrusions, is bluish-white, and spongy-soft. Identifying based on these features prevents errors. Scrape off the rough bark before slicing into thin pieces. Han Fangji primarily treats Water-Qi disorders, associated with the term "Jun Xing" (sound Hang); Mu Fangji regulates Wind pathogens, functioning like a "Qianshi". Therefore, it is said: For damp-heat swelling and pain from the waist down to the feet, foot pain, promoting urination and defecation, clearing accumulated heat in the Bladder, and dissipating abscesses and swelling, only Han Fangji can achieve success. For treating lung asthma and cough, fullness and support in the chest/diaphragm, relieving spasms and stiffness from Zhong Feng (Wind Stroke), and expelling Wind-Cold-Damp-Malaria-Heat pathogens, Mu Fangji is entirely relied upon for efficacy.

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Li Dongyuan stated: Fangji is bitter and cold, purely Yin. It can drain damp-heat from the blood and unblock stagnation in the blood. It supplements Yin and drains Yang, assisting the energies of Autumn and Winter while draining the excess of Spring and Summer. Metaphorically, it resembles dangerous yet robust individuals. Such dangerous and robust people often rejoice in disasters and anger at evil. When wind-and-dust alarms occur, they may seize the opportunity to cause chaos. However, they also rejoice in good and anger at evil. If used properly, they can be employed to defend against fierce enemies or charge into fortified dangerous places, which is not without merit. Thus, for herbs that cause Ming Xuan (dazzling/disorienting reactions), how could the Sages discard them entirely? They must be preserved for skilled users. Currently, Fangji smells unpleasant and causes mental restlessness and reduced appetite upon ingestion, making its Ming Xuan reaction seem clumsy. Yet, regarding its ability to circulate through the Twelve Channels, remove damp-heat obstruction causing swelling and pain, treat Hong Kong Foot (Jiaoxi/Foot Rot) caused by downward pouring, clear Bladder accumulated heat to protect the foundation, it is indispensable, truly a celestial herb for channel circulation. This depends on whether humans can use it skillfully without error. There are several situations where it should not be used, which are listed below to alert learners. First, for diseases involving dietary irregularities, overwork, Yin deficiency with internal heat, or depleted Yuan Qi and Gu Qi (Grain Qi), using Fangji to purge stool will further deplete Blood; this is the first contraindication. Second, for excessive thirst with drinking, indicating Heat in the Qi aspect of the Lower Jiao, which should be treated by leaching/draining, Fangji acts on the Blood aspect of the Lower Jiao; this is the second contraindication. Third, for external contraction of Wind-Cold where pathogenic factors transmit to the Lung channel, causing damp-heat in the Qi aspect leading to yellow-red or obstructed urine, this is a Qi disorder of the Upper Jiao, and Blood-acting drugs are prohibited; this is the third contraindication. Fourth, for chronic illness where Jin Ye (Body Fluids) do not circulate, causing Upper Jiao deficiency-thirst, one should supplement with sweet-warm herbs like Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Puerariae Radix (Gegen); using bitter-cold agents will hasten danger and death; this is the fourth contraindication. Furthermore, all cases of Upper Jiao damp-heat are unsuitable. Only if Lower Jiao damp-heat flows into the Twelve Channels, causing obstruction of the two yin openings, should it be used with extreme caution. Scholars should review this comprehensively.