Herb module

Fang Feng

Siler RootSaposhnikovia divaricata

A 'wind screen' root used to guard the body's surface, expel Wind-Dampness and ease aches and spasms.

Fang Feng, or Siler Root, is a gently warming root used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to release the Exterior and expel Wind and Dampness. In Pain Release™ it acts as a 'wind screen' that protects the channels from outside influences. In Hydration | Neró™ it is used to calm internal Wind and ease spasms.

Best functions

Traditionally used to release the Exterior and expel external Wind
Used to expel Wind-Dampness and ease aches
Used to calm internal Wind and settle spasms
Traditionally used to settle loose stools
Traditionally used to help stop bleeding

Fascinating facts

Zoi describes Fang Feng as a 'wind screen' that protects the channels from external pathogenic invasion.
The name Fang Feng means 'guard against wind.' It is often called the gentle Wind-disperser. It is mild and reliable, and it works well alongside other herbs, guiding them in larger formulas.
Research has looked at natural compounds in the root called chromones. Studies suggest they quiet the release of histamine and prostaglandin E2, two of the body's inflammatory messengers.
Fang Feng is a member of the carrot and parsley family. The root is the part used, and the plant grows wild in the grasslands of northern China and Mongolia.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine

Fang Feng is pungent and sweet in flavor and is described as slightly warm to warm in nature. It enters the Bladder, Liver and Spleen channels, and the Hydration | Neró™ sheet also lists the Lung channel. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is a Wind-dispelling herb.

Go deeperDownload the fact sheet on the Pain Release page

Biomedical deep dive

Fang Feng Siler Root

From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.

On the fact sheet

Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) is slightly warm and enters the UB, LIV, and SP meridians; releases the Exterior, expels Wind-Dampness, and alleviates pain. Acts as a "wind screen" to protect the channels from external pathogenic invasion. Pain Release sheet
Fang Feng (Siler Root, Ledebouriella sesloidis) is warm and enters the BL, LIV, SP, and LU meridians; releases the Exterior, expels external Wind, expels Wind-damp, alleviates pain, expels internal Wind, stops spasms, relieves diarrheas and stops bleeding. Hydration | Neró sheet

Key active constituents

The fact sheets don’t name constituents for this herb.

Pharmacology and mechanisms

The Pain Release sheet says Fang Feng contributes to pain relief by acting on mediators and pathways associated with chronic pain and tissue degeneration.
With its companion herbs it works at multiple levels of inflammation, per the Pain Release sheet.
Anti-inflammatory: chromones (plant compounds) inhibit PGE2, a pain and inflammation messenger, and histamine release. Noa’s notes
Analgesic in animal models (reduced pain responses). Noa’s notes
Antipyretic (fever-lowering) through the prostaglandin pathway. Noa’s notes
Immune-modulating and anti-allergic properties. Noa’s notes

What the research says

No herb-specific study on the fact sheets.

Safety, interactions and cautions

Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.
The Pain Release fact sheet cautions using it with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines (such as warfarin, aspirin or clopidogrel), because several of its herbs promote circulation and may add to their effect.
The Pain Release fact sheet notes the formula contains several blood-invigorating herbs (circulation-moving herbs).
Caution with profuse sweating. Noa’s notes

In these Zoi formulas

Pain Release (#12 on the fact sheet)
Hydration | Neró (#7 on the fact sheet)

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.