Evidence supporting the use of: Fang-Feng
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Fang-Feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata, also known as Siler root) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb commonly used in classical herbal formulas. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Fang-Feng is categorized as a "wind-dispelling" herb, and it is frequently included in formulas to address symptoms believed to be caused by "wind," such as headaches, body aches, and respiratory complaints like cough and congestion. Specifically, Fang-Feng appears in formulas such as Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San and Yu Ping Feng San, which are used for external pathogenic wind invasion that can manifest as congestion, cough, and upper respiratory symptoms.
Despite its long-standing use, the direct scientific evidence supporting Fang-Feng for the treatment of bronchial congestion is limited. Some pharmacological studies have indicated mild anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, which may theoretically contribute to symptom relief in respiratory tract infections, but clinical trials in humans are lacking. As a result, the primary basis for its use in bronchial congestion is traditional usage in TCM rather than robust scientific validation.
In summary, Fang-Feng is traditionally employed to address bronchial congestion within the context of Chinese medicine, supported by a history of use and classical literature, but evidence from modern clinical research is weak or inconclusive. Thus, the justification is mainly traditional, with a modest level of supporting evidence.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)
AllspiceAloe vera
alpha-pinene
waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
Szechuan lovage
buckthorn
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
Abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
soursop
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Curcuma
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Fang-Feng
Fat liver oil
Fernbush
Frankincense
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Guaco
Gallesia
Giant Blazingstar
Gardenia jasminoides
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Galangal
Heartsease
Honey
Heal-All
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
Helicteres isora
Horsemint
iridoids
Isatis
Long Pepper
Ivy
Jungli-bean
Khella
Ledebouriella
Litsea
Lomatium
Lichen
Laggera pterodonta
Limonene
Labrador Tea
Ligusticum
Linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Marsh Tea
Mallow
Monoterpenes
Methylxanthine
Meadow sage
Mucolase
Neoandrographolides
Nigella Seed
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Orris
Phellodendron
Pinellia Ternata
Pluchea
Prepared Aconite Tuber
Platycodon
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Polygonum
Rubiaceae
Ravinsara
Reed Herb
Sichuan Lovage
Sophora
Scoparia dulcis
Smartweed
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Sinigrin
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sweet Bay
Sundew
Servicetree
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Terpinolene
Vervain
Visnea Mocanera
Vasicine
Violet
Viola
Vladimiria souliei
Vasicinone
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Fang-Feng
AdenitisAllergies (respiratory)
Arthritis
Backache
Bites and Stings
Blisters
Boils
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Chills
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Dizziness
Eczema
Edema
Fever
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Injuries
Itching
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Mastitis
Nervousness
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
Poison Ivy or Oak
Rashes and Hives
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Scabies