Evidence supporting the use of: Fang-feng
For the health condition: Glands (swollen lymph)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Fang-Feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb primarily used in formulas to "expel wind" and address surface-level conditions such as fever, chills, and headaches. Its use for "swollen glands" or lymphadenopathy is justified mainly by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories, where signs like swelling or pain in the lymph nodes may be interpreted as manifestations of "wind-heat" or "toxin" invasion. Classical TCM texts and modern herbal compendiums (such as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Shennong Bencao Jing) list Fang-Feng as useful for dispelling wind and alleviating swelling, often in combination with other herbs such as Jing Jie and Lian Qiao in formulas for early-stage infectious conditions.
However, there is limited direct scientific evidence supporting Fang-Feng’s efficacy for treating swollen lymph nodes specifically. Most pharmacological studies focus on its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory properties, which could, in theory, contribute to reducing swelling, but such effects have not been conclusively demonstrated in human clinical trials targeting lymphadenopathy.
In summary, the use of Fang-Feng for swollen glands is rooted in traditional practices and TCM pattern differentiation, with only indirect support from its general anti-inflammatory activities described in preliminary scientific studies. It should not be considered an evidence-based treatment for lymphadenopathy by modern biomedical standards.
Other ingredients used for Glands (swollen lymph)
betelIndian frankincense
bovine
burdock
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
fu ling
goldenseal
onion
horseradish
honeysuckle
Japanese sophora
licorice root
spruce
oregon grape
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
reishi mushroom
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
slippery elm bark
chickweed
Indian bael
ferula assafoetida
punarnava
commiphora
Caesalpinia crista
Rubia cordifolia
Swertia
peony
goldenrod
Myrrh
fern
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
sheep's sorrel
eucalyptus
cleavers
paw paw
White oak
geranium
Aralia
avens
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Allicin
Achyranthes
anamu
Abrus
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Agrimonia pilosa
Abuta
Amor seco
Arisaema
bee propolis
betony
Baikal Skullcap
blue flag
Baliospermum
blackthorn
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
Barleria
bitter grass
banyan
back nightshade
Bombax
black root
Bupleurum
borneol
Chinese silkvine
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
Cynomorium
cinquefoil
Cyathula
cajuput
Centipeda
cypress
Cynodon dactylon
costus
Collinsonia
castor oil
Celosia
Dianthus
Didymocarpus
devil\'s club
Dichrostachys glomerata
Dipsacus
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
elephant\'s head
Euphorbia
Fuchsia
fang-feng
Ficus simplicissima
goldthread
Gnaphalium
garlic
Galium
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Galangal
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heartsease
Homalomena
Houttuynia
Herb Robert
Horsemint
Isatis
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
joe-pye
Kachnar
Kokilaksha
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
luffa
Lycopodium
Large-leaved linden
little ironweed
Lysimachia
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Mustard
mallow
Malva sylvestris
Mountain mahogany
Matapalo Tree
Mahonia
Marking Nut Tree
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Phellodendron
Premna
Psacalium peltatum
pagoda tree
Pulsatilla
prepared aconite tuber
Platycodon
Peucedanum
Pentatropis capensis
Plumbago zeylanica
Polygonatum
Patrinia
Physalis angulata
Petiveria
Potentilla
Quisqualis
Rubia yunnanensis
Sanicle
Spilanthes
Speedwell
Spanish Needle
Self-Heal
Sensitive Plant
Solanum indicum
Sanguisorba
Slippery Elm
Scabrous Gentian
Stereospermum
Sandy Everlasting
Stone Root
Thuja
Taraxacin
Taxillus chinensis
Tulbaghia
Umckalin
Vervain
Violet
Water Pepper
Wulinshen
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yellow Dock
Zedoary
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