Fáng Fēng · Siler Root
Fáng Fēng (防风, Siler Root) is a herb of Warm nature and Pungent, Sweet flavor, in the “Warm Exterior-Releasing” category. Tradition uses it to release Exterior Wind, Expel Wind-Damp, Relieve Spasms.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Fáng Fēng
- Characters
- 防风
- Botanical name
- Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk.
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Part used
- Root
- Nature
- Warm
- Flavor
- Pungent, Sweet
- Meridians
- Bladder, Liver, Spleen
- Category
- Warm Exterior-Releasing
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- No contraindication described (always consult)
- Origin
- China, Mongolia
Actions according to tradition
- Release Exterior Wind
- Expel Wind-Damp
- Relieve Spasms
- Stop Itching
Traditional uses
- Exterior wind-cold or wind-heat with headache
- Wind-cold-damp Bi syndrome (painful joints)
- Wind-type tetanus and convulsions
- Itchy skin conditions from wind-heat
- Liver wind causing tremors and spasms
Studied effects and current applications
- Releases exterior and expels both wind-cold and wind-heat
- Expels wind-damp from channels (joints, muscles)
- Relieves spasms and convulsions from wind
- Stops itching in skin conditions from wind
- Soothes liver and expels internal wind
Applications under investigation
- Common cold and flu
- Rheumatic and arthritic conditions
- Skin disorders with itching (urticaria, eczema)
- Nervous system disorders with spasms
- Autoimmune conditions
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Yin or blood deficiency without wind-damp
- Interior wind from liver yang rising (without exterior wind)
Relative contraindications
- Spasms from blood deficiency
- Pregnancy
- Generally safe in pregnancy at appropriate doses in formulas.
- Breastfeeding
- Safe during breastfeeding.
- Children
- Safe for children. Commonly used in pediatric wind conditions.
- Older adults
- Safe for elderly. Useful for wind-damp arthritis and itching.
Possible adverse effects
- Rare: mild headache
- Excessive sweating with large doses
When to stop
- Blood deficiency conditions
- Excessive sweating leads to exhaustion
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants | Warfarin | Mild | Furanocoumarins may interact with anticoagulants Monitor INR |
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 3-9 grams daily
- Powder
- 1-3 grams daily
- Acute use
- 3-7 days for exterior patterns
- Chronic use
- 2-4 weeks for wind-damp
- Maximum
- Short-term preferred
- Children
- Safe for children. Used in pediatric formulas for wind conditions.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 3-9g in 3 cups water 30 min. Take warm.
Wind-cold exterior, joint pain
Wine-fried Fang Feng used for internal wind. Simmer wine-processed herb same way.
Internal wind, spasms
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Cromenas (prim-O-glucosilcimifugina, 4'-O-β-D-glucosil-5-O-metilvisangenol) y cumarinas
Chromone glucoside · Antipyretic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory
COX-2 and IL-6 inhibition, HPA axis modulation, smooth muscle relaxation · 0.24-0.8% (official marker Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
Chromone glucoside · Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic
PGE2 and TNF-α inhibition, modulation of pain-sensitive ion channels · 0.24-0.5%
Furanocoumarins · Photosensitizing, anti-inflammatory, antifungal
Photoallergy (psoralen), 5-LOX inhibition · 0.1-0.3%
Polyacetylenes · Antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumor
COX-1 inhibition, fungal membrane disruption, apoptosis induction · 0.01-0.1%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Spring (before bud break) or autumn (after plant drying)
Roots harvested in spring of the second year or in autumn. Those from Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia are the most valued (关防风 Guān Fáng Fēng).
Root cleaned, washed, briefly softened, sliced and dried in the sun.
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
