Introduction of Fang Feng: Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root
✵The article documents the herb Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its botanical source—the plant species Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk. It offers a detailed introduction to the plant’s botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, as well as the characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Fáng Fēng
English Name: Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root
Latin Name: Radix Saposhnikoviae
Properties and Flavors: Slightly warm; pungent and sweet
Brief Introduction:Radix Saposhnikoviae is the dried root of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk.(family Apiaceae), used (1) to release the exterior in exterior syndromes, (2) to dispel wind in urticaria, (3) to dispel wind-damp and alleviate pain in rheumatalgia (rheumatoid arthralgia), and (4) to subdue spasms in tetanus. It is commonly known as Radix Saposhnikoviae, Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root, or Fánɡ Fēnɡ.
Botanical Source:Radix Saposhnikoviae is the dry root of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk., a species belonging to the genus Saposhnikovia, family Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae), and order Apiales. The primary source species is:
Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk.
Botanical Description:Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk., commonly known as Fang Feng, is a perennial herbaceous plant reaching 30–80 cm in height. The roots are thick, long-cylindrical, branched, and light yellowish-brown; dense fibrous petiole remnants cover the root head, and conspicuous annular ridges are present. The stem is solitary, with two branches that ascend obliquely and are nearly equal in length to the main stem; the stem edges are finely serrated. Basal leaves are clustered; petioles are elongated, the base is broadly sheathed and slightly amplexicaul; leaf blades are ovate or oblong, 14–35 cm long and 6–18 cm wide, bipinnatifid or tripinnatifid; the primary lobes are ovate or oblong, petiolate, 5–8 cm long; lower secondary lobes possess short stalks; distal lobes are narrowly cuneate (narrowly wedge-shaped), 2.5–5 cm long and 1–2.5 cm wide; acrophyll (apical leaf) is simplified and bear broad sheaths.
Compound umbels are numerous, borne at the apices of the stem and branches; the terminal peduncle is 2~5 cm long, 5–7 umbrella spokes (rays), each 3–5 cm long, glabrous, without involucral bracts; each umbellule contains 4–10 flowers and 4–6 linear or lanceolate involucral bractlets (~3 mm long); calyx teeth are triangular-ovate; petals are obovate, white, ~1.5 mm long, glabrous, with a retuse apex and an infolded ligule.
The fruits (cremocarps) are narrowly ovoid or elliptic, 4–5 mm long and 2–3 mm wide; they bear verrucose protuberances when young, becoming flattened upon maturity; each lateral sulcus contains one vittae (oil duct), and two vittae (oil duct) occur on the commissure. Flowering occurs from August to September; fruiting from September to October.
Growth Characteristics: The plant grows on grasslands, hillsides, and gravelly slopes. It prefers ample sunlight, a cool and moderately dry climate, is cold- and drought-tolerant, and intolerant of waterlogging. Saposhnikovia divaricata is a taprooted plant and should be cultivated in deep, loose, fertile, well-drained sandy soil with sufficient sunlight. It should not be planted in highly acidic or heavy clay soils.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root is cylindrical or long-conical, tapering gradually toward the lower end; some specimens are slightly curved, measuring 15–30 cm in length and 0.5–2.0 cm in diameter. The surface is grayish-brown, rough, with longitudinal wrinkles, numerous transverse lenticels, and minute dot-like scars of lateral roots. The root head bears conspicuous, densely arranged annular ridges; brown piliferous leaf bases remaining on some of these ring stripes. The herb is light in weight and friable, and easily broken, with an uneven fracture surface. The cortex is light brown and fissured; scattered yellowish-brown oleiferous spots are visible. The xylem (wood portion) is light yellow. It possesses a mild, characteristic aromatic odor and a slightly sweet taste.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and fungi; (2) Inhibits allergic contractions of isolated tracheal and ileal smooth muscle in guinea pigs; (3) Enhances the phagocytic activity of murine peritoneal macrophages; (4) Exhibits antipyretic, analgesic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Medicinal Efficacy: Induces diaphoresis and dispels wind (relieves the exterior and dispels wind), eliminates dampness, and relieves spasms. It is indicated for wind-cold headache, rheumatic bi syndrome (characterized by pain or numbness), urticaria and pruritus, and tetanus.
Administration of Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fáng Fēng):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fáng Fēng)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 4.5–9 grams; (2) Water decoction: 1.5–3 qián (≈4.5–9 grams); or prepared as pills or powders. Externally: appropriate amount, ground into fine powder and applied topically. (3) Water decoction: 5–10 grams; or prepared as pills or powders. Externally: appropriate amount, used in fumigation and washes prepared from decoctions.
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References:
1.Introduction of Fang Feng: Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root.
✵The article documents the herb Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its botanical source—the plant species Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk. It offers a detailed introduction to the plant’s botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, as well as the characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Fáng Fēng
Botanical Description: Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk., commonly known as Fang Feng, is a perennial herbaceous plant reaching 30–80 cm in height. The roots are thick, long-cylindrical, branched, and light yellowish-brown; dense fibrous petiole remnants cover the root head, and conspicuous annular ridges are present. The stem is solitary, with two branches that ascend obliquely and are nearly equal in length to the main stem; the stem edges are finely serrated. Basal leaves are clustered; petioles are elongated, the base is broadly sheathed and slightly amplexicaul; leaf blades are ovate or oblong, 14–35 cm long and 6–18 cm wide, bipinnatifid or tripinnatifid; the primary lobes are ovate or oblong, petiolate, 5–8 cm long; lower secondary lobes possess short stalks; distal lobes are narrowly cuneate (narrowly wedge-shaped), 2.5–5 cm long and 1–2.5 cm wide; acrophyll (apical leaf) is simplified and bear broad sheaths.
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