Siler root
Saposhnikovia divaricata · 防风
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Fang feng, Saposhnikovia root, Divaricate saposhnikovia, Siler
Pinyin: Fáng fēng
Limited safety dataThe root of a wild Asian herb, used in Chinese medicine to release wind-cold colds and ease headache and body aches.
Did you know? Its Chinese name, fang feng, means 'protection from wind,' which fits its long use for wind-related colds and aches.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Pain & headaches. Used in tradition for headache and body aches. Lab and animal studies exist, but human trials are lacking.Traditional proof
- Joint pain & arthritis. Used in tradition for wind-damp joint pain. Human trials are lacking.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used siler root for colds with chills, headache, body aches and wind-damp joint pain. It is a key herb in Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder).
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Diaphoretic. Energy: warming.
- Chinese medicine
- 防风 Release the exterior. Nature: warm. Flavour: pungent, sweet. Enters the Bladder, Liver and Spleen channels.
How people take it
Traditional doses are about 5 to 10 grams of dried root in a decoction. Most use is in herbal formulas for colds. Modern human doses are not well set.
Decoction, capsule and tincture.
Where to get it
Grows wild on dry grasslands and hillsides in northern China, Mongolia, Korea and Russia. Dried root is sold in herb shops, and as capsules, granules and tinctures.
Be careful
Side effects in people are not well documented. Possible ones include rash, stomach upset and allergic reactions. Pregnancy and breastfeeding data are limited, so avoid it in those cases.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder) combines it with astragalus and atractylodes to support defenses against colds.
- Works well together
Also in Yu Ping Feng San, where white atractylodes supports digestion and energy.
Found in these formulas
Jade Windscreen (TCM)
The honest take
Siler is a long-used wind-cold herb with a good record in traditional formulas, but modern human trials are very few. Its uses for headache and joint pain are mostly tradition and lab work. Use it with a trained practitioner.