Medicinals
fáng jǐ / 防己 / 防己 / fangji [root]
Latin pharmacognostic name: Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix
Alternate English names:
Alternate Chinese names:
Origin: Plant
Use: medicinal
Category: Wind-damp–dispelling agents / Wind-damp-heat–dispelling agents
Properties: Acrid, bitter; cold.
Channel entry: spleen, kidney, and bladder channels.
Indications:
- Dispels wind-damp and relieves pain: Wind-damp impediment pain.
- Disinhibits water: Water swelling, phlegm-rheum.
Dosage & Method:
Oral: 5–10g in decoctions.
Warning:
Fáng jǐ is very bitter and very cold, so it easily damages stomach qì and can cause dryness. It should be used with care in weak health and yīn vacuity, as well as in poor stomach intake. Care should be taken to use the correct species when prescribing this medicinal, as at least three forms of ""fáng jǐ"" exist. Guǎng fáng jǐ (广防己 Aristolochiae Fangji Radix, fangji aristolochia [root]), which comes from Aristolochia fangchi Y. C.) Wu ex L. D. Chou et S. M. Hwang, was traditionally used as fáng jǐ but is no longer considered safe for use because it contains aristolochic acid. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia now gives only one source for fáng jǐ, Stephania tetrandra S. Moore. There are several other botanical sources that are also distinguished in medicine as specific forms of fáng jǐ. In mainland China, guǎng fáng jǐ (southern fangji, Aristolochiae Fangchi Radix) is still used, but it is not used in the West due to its aristolochic acid content and the associated risk of nephrotoxicity. To confirm the identity of the official fáng jǐ (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) product, chemical tests are required to verify the absence of aristolochic acid as well as to confirm the presence of tetrandrin. Practitioners must be aware of this issue and must only use products that are free of aristolochic acid.
Notes:
Traditionally, the roots of multiple species were recognized as fáng jǐ: Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (fěn fáng jǐ, mealy fangji); Cocculus trilobus (Thunb.) DC. (mù fáng jǐ, woody fangji); Aristolochia heterophylla Hemsl. (hàn zhōng fáng jǐ, northern fangji); Aristolochia fangchi (guǎng fáng jǐ, southern fangji) Aristolochia fangchi Wu. The Pharmacopoeia of the PRC now only recognizes the first of these.
Product Description:
The root of Stephania tetrandra is cylindrical and contorted, like a pig's intestine, 3.5–5 cm in diameter. The surface is brown with elongated pores. The cut surface appears like a chrysanthemum. It has a highly farinaceous in consistency, hence the name fěn fáng jǐ 粉防己, mealy fangji, which disinguishes the product from other forms of fangji no longer recognized by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
Quality:
Young roots that are farinacious and not too fibrous are best.
Product Area:
Stephania tetrandra: Zhèjiāng, ānhuī, Jiāngxī, Fújiàn, Guǎngdōng, and Guǎngxī. A. Fangchi: Guǎngdōng, and Guǎngxī. Aristolochia heterophylla: South-west, Shǎnxī (Shaanxi), Gānsū, Húnán, and Húběi. Cocculus trilobus: Héběi, Hénán, Shǎnxī (Shaanxi), Shāndōng, Jiāngsū, Zhèjiāng, ānhuī, Jiāngxī, Sìchuān, Guìzhōu, Guǎngdōng, and Guǎngxī.
Etymology:
The name fáng jǐ 防己, literally ""self protection,"" hints that skillful use of this agent can provide protection against enemies of the health.