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Fang Ji防己

Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix · Stephania Root · Han Fang Ji

Herbs that Dispel Wind-Dampness 祛风湿药《神农本草经》

Overview

Bitter, acrid and cold, Fang Ji drains water downward and out through the urine while dispelling wind-damp from the joints — the cold option among wind-damp herbs, suited to hot swollen joints and to heavy, oedematous lower limbs where warming herbs would make things worse. It is the chief of Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang 防己黄芪汤. Its botanical identity is a safety matter, not a technicality: only Han Fang Ji, Stephania tetrandra, is acceptable.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, acrid · Cold

Channels

Bladder · Lung

Typical Dosage

4.5–9 g in decoction
防己Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Drains water, reduces swellingOedema of the legs, fluid in the abdomen and difficult urination — the chief herb of Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang 防己黄芪汤 and of Ji Jiao Li Huang Wan 己椒苈黄丸.
  • Dispels wind-damp, relieves bi painHot, swollen, painful joints; the option to reach for when warming wind-damp herbs would aggravate the heat.
  • Clears damp-heat from the lower burnerHeavy, swollen lower limbs with scanty dark urine and damp-heat sores on the legs.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Fang Ji

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Oedema of the legs and abdomen with scanty urine
    - Hot, swollen, painful joints
    - Damp-heat with heavy legs and dark urine
    - Damp-heat skin lesions on the lower limbs

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

OedemaRheumatoid arthritisGoutAscites

Contraindications

Cautions

Species identity matters here more than with almost any other herb. Only Han Fang Ji — Stephania tetrandra, the material named above — may be used. Guang Fang Ji (Aristolochia fangchi) and other Aristolochia substitutes contain aristolochic acid, which causes irreversible kidney damage and urinary-tract cancer; they were removed from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and must never be dispensed in its place. Confirm the botanical source of any Fang Ji before use. Beyond that, the herb is bitter, cold and hard on the digestion: avoid it in Spleen-Stomach weakness with poor appetite, and in yin deficiency without damp-heat, and do not run it at high dose for long periods.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy — bitter, cold and strongly draining.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.