Library

Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng)
Taste: Sweet, Pungent; Nature: Warm; Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats severe Wind pathogen (severe wind-induced disease), dizziness and headache, aversion to wind, invasion of Wind pathogen, blindness with no vision, Wind circulating throughout the body, pain and bi-syndrome in bone joints, irritability and fullness, hypochondriac pain and hypochondriac Wind, migratory pain in the head and face, spasms and cramps in the four limbs, difficult childbirth (Ziru), metallic trauma (Jinchuang), internal spasms. Long-term use makes the body feel light. Leaves: Mainly treat sweating due to Wind-Heat from Zhongfeng (Wind Stroke). Also known as Tongyun, Huicao, Baizhi, Pingfeng, [missing character]gen, Baifei. Grows in river marshes of Shayuan, as well as Handan, Langya, and Shangcai. Roots are harvested in February and October and sun-dried. (When combined with Alisma Rhizoma (Zexie) and Ligusticum Wallichii Rhizome (Gaoben), it treats Wind diseases; when combined with Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Paeonia Lactiflora Radix (Shaoyao), Yangqishi, and Hematitum (Yuyuliang), it treats uterine Wind in women; it neutralizes Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Fuzi) toxicity; incompatible with Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Ganjiang), Veratrum Nigrum Rhizoma (Lilu), Ampelopsis Japonica Radix (Bailian), and Genkwa Flos (Yuanhua).)

Tao Hongjing stated: There is no place named Shayuan in the commanderies and counties. Currently, the best quality comes from Pengcheng and Lanling, which are near Langya. It can also be obtained through inter-provincial trade in Yuzhou. The next best comes from Xiangyang and the borders of Yiyang County, which are near Shangcai. Only those that are solid, oily, and have hard nodes at the head resembling earthworm heads are considered good. They are most important for folk use in treating Wind diseases and are frequently used in Daoist prescriptions. Tang Ben Zhu noted: Currently, the best comes from Qizhou and Longshan; those from Zizhou, Yanzhou, and Qingzhou are also excellent. The leaves resemble Artemisia annua var. anethifolia (Mu'ao) and seedlings of Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi). Bie Lu stated: Those with forked heads cause madness; those with forked tails induce chronic stubborn diseases. The seeds resemble Coriandrum sativum (Husui) but are larger; they are fragrant when used in cooking and are superior for treating Wind diseases. Shayuan is south of Tongzhou and also produces Saposhnikoviae Radix, but it is lighter and less substantial than that from the Eastern Route areas. Tao's statement that there is no Shayuan is incorrect. Xiangyang, Yiyang, and Shangcai originally did not produce Saposhnikoviae Radix; Tao's annotation was presumptuous. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to the Shu Ben Tu Jing, stated: The leaves resemble Mu'ao, with white flowers; roots are harvested in August and September. Yao Xing Lun stated: Saposhnikoviae Radix is a Minister herb. The flower mainly treats heart and abdominal pain, limb stiffness and cramps, inability to walk, deficiency and emaciation of meridians, and pain between bone joints. Duan Chengshi's Youyang Zazu stated: Seeds of Saposhnikoviae Radix from Qingzhou can be passed off as Piper longum (Bibo). Ri Hua Zi stated: It treats thirty-six types of Wind, all kinds of exhaustion and weakness in men, tonifies the Middle Jiao, benefits Shen (Spirit), treats red eyes caused by Wind, stops tearing and paralysis/flaccidity, unblocks the Five Zang organs and Guan pulse, treats Wu Lao Qi Shang (Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries), emaciation, night sweats, vexation and heaviness, calms the Shen and stabilizes willpower, and regulates Qi pulses.

Tu Jing stated: Saposhnikoviae Radix grows in river marshes of Shayuan, as well as Handan and Shangcai. Currently, it is found in all prefectures and commands of Jingdong, Huai, and Zhe regions. The root is earth-yellow, resembling Malva verticillata Radix (Shukui gen). The stems and leaves are green; stems are dark green, leaves are pale green, resembling Artemisia argyi (Qinghao) but shorter. When young and purple, it can be eaten as a vegetable and is very refreshing. In May, it opens small white flowers, clustered in the center into large capsules, resembling Anethum graveolens (Shiluo) flowers. The fruit resembles Coriandrum sativum but is larger. Roots are harvested in February and October and sun-dried. Those produced in Guanzhong are harvested in March and June, but they are lighter and less substantial than those from Qizhou, which are better. There is also Shi Fangfeng (Stone Saposhnikoviae Radix), produced in Hezhong Prefecture. The root resembles Artemisia capillaris (Haogen) and is yellow; leaves are green, flowers are white. It blooms in May, and roots are harvested in June and sun-dried. It also treats Head Wind and dizziness/pain. Additionally, a type of Saposhnikoviae Radix produced between Song and Bo, and in Jiangdong, sprouts early in spring. When tender, it is reddish-purple. Locals eat it as a vegetable, and it tastes very good, but it is said to stir up Wind pathogen. Ben Jing stated: Leaves treat sweating from Wind-Heat Zhongfeng, which contradicts this description, suggesting it might be a different species.

Experience Posterior Formulas: Treats Traumatic Tetanus (Poshang Feng). Equal parts of Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng) and Pinelliae Tuber (Tiannanxing), ground into powder. Take two or three spoons per dose, decocted in five sheng of urine from an uncircumcised boy until reduced to four sheng. Take orally; stop when cured. Another formula: Treats Metrorrhagia (Bengzhong). Remove the rhizome of Saposhnikoviae Radix, roast until reddish-brown, and grind into powder. Take two qian per dose, mixed with flour paste wine. Follow up with more flour paste wine. This medicine has proven effective repeatedly.

Yanyi provides detailed information under the entry for Wenju Huang.