Fáng Jǐ (防己), known in English as Stephania root (Stephania tetrandra), is a cold, bitter and acrid Chinese herb from the Expel wind-damp category. It enters the Bladder, Kidney and Spleen channels. Its main action: expels Wind-Damp, relieves Bi pain — Hot or Cold Bi.
| Pinyin | Fáng Jǐ (Fang Ji) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 防己 |
| English | Stephania root |
| Botanical name | Stephania tetrandra |
| Category | Expel wind-damp |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter, Acrid |
| Channels | Bladder, Kidney, Spleen |
| Dosage | 4.5–9g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency; nephrotoxic in large doses — avoid aristolochic acid species (Guang Fang Ji) |
Actions
- Expels Wind-Damp, relieves Bi pain — Hot or Cold Bi
- Promotes urination, reduces oedema
Indications
- Damp-Heat or Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with swelling
- Oedema
- Ascites
How to remember Fáng Jǐ
Expel wind-damp herbs are mostly bitter, and most enter the Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Bitter, Kidney channel: like most Expel wind-damp herbs
- Bladder channel: from its action “Promotes urination”
- Learn by heart
- Cold: Expel wind-damp herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Expel wind-damp herbs (most are bitter)
- Spleen channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Fáng Jǐ
Other Expel wind-damp herbs
- Dú Huó
- Qiāng Huó
- Wēi Líng Xiān
- Mù Guā
- Sāng Jì Shēng
- Wǔ Jiā Pí
- Luò Shí Téng
- Xī Xiān Cǎo
- Qín Jiāo
- Hǎi Tóng Pí
- Sāng Zhī
- Gǒu Jǐ
- Bái Huā Shé
- Cǎo Wū
- Hǎi Fēng Téng
- Chuān Wū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Fáng Jǐ?
Fáng Jǐ is cold and bitter and acrid.
Which channels does Fáng Jǐ enter?
Fáng Jǐ enters the Bladder, Kidney and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Fáng Jǐ?
Expels Wind-Damp, relieves Bi pain — Hot or Cold Bi; Promotes urination, reduces oedema.
What is Fáng Jǐ used for?
Damp-Heat or Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with swelling; oedema; ascites.
Which formulas contain Fáng Jǐ?
Fáng Jǐ Huáng Qí Tāng.
Practise Fáng Jǐ and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.