han fang ji

Name: han fang ji
Creator: Bencao Index

汉防己·Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae

Stephania Root

About han fang ji

Han Fang Ji (汉防己) is the root of stephania, recorded as Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae. It is bitter and acrid in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Bladder, Spleen and Kidney channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that drain Dampness.

Names

Pinyin	han fang ji
Chinese	汉防己
Latin Name	Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae
English Name	Stephania Root·stephania tetrandra
Japanese	kanpoi
Korean	hanbanggi

Classification

Category: Drain Dampness
Channels: Spleen, Bladder, Kidney
Flavour: Acrid, Bitter
Temperature: Cold
Part used: Root
Family: menispermaceae
Species: stephania tetrandra
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Promotes urination and reduces edema, especially in the lower body

Water and Damp collecting in the Lower Jiao: swollen legs, damp leg Qi, gurgling intestines, abdominal distension or ascites

Expels Wind-Damp, clears Damp-Heat and relieves pain

Wind-Damp-Heat Bi, with fever and joints that are red, hot, swollen and painful; its cold nature suits hot joints where warm herbs would not
Cramps and pain in the feet and hands

Combinations

fu ling + gui zhi + gan cao
Edema in patients of weak constitution; Leg Qi with swelling
huang qi + bai zhu + fu ling
Deficient Wei Qi with invading Wind-Dampness, giving sweating, a heavy body and superficial edema
ze lan
Stagnant Blood obstructing the channels with edema; ascites, swelling of the face and limbs, and leg Qi: drains water, invigorates Blood and opens the collaterals; edema after childbirth
yi yi ren + can sha
Wind-Damp-Heat Bi and Wind-Damp Bi
qin jiao + guang fang ji + he shou wu
Arthritis.
huang qi
Edema from Wind-Dampness; Exterior Deficiency with Wind-Dampness
long dan cao + huang bai + zhi mu + gan cao
Painful Damp swellings in the Lower Jiao: clears them out and drains pathogenic Fire from the Bladder
zhi chuan wu + gui zhi + bai zhu
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi.
jiao mu + ting li zi + da huang
Accumulated water causing constipation and dysuria

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any 3-12g; Tincture: 2-4ml	3-12 g	—	2-4 ml	—	—

Cautions

caution Bitter and cold, it easily harms the Stomach
caution Weak or cold Spleen and Stomach
caution Yin deficiency, as it drains fluids downward
contraindication Deficient Blood around childbirth, before or after delivery
caution Insist on botanically identified Stephania tetrandra: product sold simply as Fang Ji has been replaced with Aristolochia fangchi, which contains aristolochic acid
caution UK law bans products containing Stephania tetrandra or labelled Fangji, as a guard against substitution rather than because this herb itself is hazardous
pregnancy Pregnancy: not strictly forbidden, but whether to use it is a professional decision

Interactions

Drug interactions

Diuretics, both thiazides (chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide) and loop diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide, torsemide): fluid and electrolyte loss may increase

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