The medicinal benefits and effects of Saposhnikovia divaricata (fangfeng) come mainly from the medicinal value of its root.

Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) is a perennial herb in the genus Saposhnikovia of the Apiaceae family. Its dried root is used as medicine, and it is also known among the public as Guanfangfeng, Pangfeng and other names. It is mainly distributed in the northeast and north China regions of our country, and is commonly found in grasslands, meadows and sunny hillsides, both wild and cultivated. As a commonly used Chinese medicinal material, fangfeng is fairly widely applied in traditional medicine.

In terms of effects, fangfeng is pungent and sweet in flavor and slightly warm in nature. Traditionally it is considered to dispel wind and release the exterior, overcome dampness and relieve pain, and stop spasms. It is mostly used for cases such as cold with headache, wind-damp painful obstruction, and rubella with itching. Because it is good at dispelling wind and its medicinal nature is relatively mild, it is often regarded as a commonly used medicinal material for treating wind, and there is also a saying that it is a moistening agent among wind medicines.

In practical application, fangfeng is rarely used alone and is mostly combined with other medicinal materials. For example, combined with Jingjie (Schizonepeta tenuifolia) it can strengthen the exterior-releasing power, while Yupingfeng San, used together with Huangqi (Astragalus membranaceus) and Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), is mostly used for the conditioning of people with weak constitution who are prone to catching colds. Specific usage and dosage need to be combined with individual constitution and should be judged by a professional physician.

In terms of cultivation, fangfeng prefers a cool climate, is cold-resistant and drought-resistant but afraid of waterlogging, and is generally propagated by seed. Both spring sowing and autumn sowing are acceptable. Its growth period is relatively long, and field management needs to pay attention to drainage and waterlogging prevention. Finally, it should be reminded that fangfeng is a medicinal material rather than an ordinary food ingredient, and before taking it on your own it is advisable to consult a doctor so as to avoid the medicine not matching the condition.