Guang Fang Ji - 廣防己 - Radix Aristolochiae Fangji

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Radix Aristolochiae Fangji
Common English:	Aristolochia Root Fangchi Birthwort Root Southern Fangji Root

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Acrid Bitter	Cold	Bladder Lung (Spleen) (Kidney)	4-12g Tincture: 1-4ml 4.5-9g (Secondary source)

Actions

Indications/Syndromes

Expels Wind-Dampness and clears Heat

Wind-Damp-Heat Bi

This herb is most appropriate when the patient has diffuse aches and pains, thirst and a yellow, greasy tongue coat

Promotes urination and reduces edema

Edema (either floating or systemic) with wheezing, pain or leg Qi

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Use with caution for those with Yin Deficiency.
Use with caution for those with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold.
Cumulative doses are a significant risk factor for urothelial carcinoma.
Use caution: it contains aristolochic acid, which is toxic to the kidneys (nephrotoxicity).

INCOMPATIBILITIES

HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Guang Fang Ji is banned because of its toxicity. It contains aristolochic acid, a compound that can be toxic to the Liver and adrenals and can cause permanent kidney damage, including kidney failure.
Aristolochic acids (AAs) are a recognized group of toxins that can cause end-stage renal failure associated with urothelial carcinoma.
Aristolochic acid, a chemical constituent of Aristolochia species and some Asarum species, has been detected in Guang Fang Ji, as well as in Guan Mu Tong, Xi Xin, Ma Dou Ling and Qing Mu Xiang.

Rx. Clematidis Wei Ling Xian	Sm. Coicis Yi Yi Ren	Rx. Astragali Huang Qi
Joint, shoulder and back pain due to Wind-Dampness.	Damp-Heat-induced extremity pain.	Joint pain and edema.
Rx. Codonopsis Dang Shen Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi
Wheezing, dyspnea, heaviness in the body, and edema.

Rx. Aristolochiae Fangchi Guang Fang Ji eliminates Wind and Dampness more effectively, whereas Rx. Stephaniae Tetrandrae Han Fang Ji is the stronger diuretic. Guang Fang Ji is used more for edema of the upper body and Han Fang Ji more for edema of the lower body. When neither is specified, Han Fang Ji is generally the one used.
Used correctly, this herb is believed to protect against “the enemy”, suggesting a strong defensive action.
It is also reported to reduce heat and stop pain.
By comparison, Han Fang Ji (Stephaniae tetrandrae Radix) drains Dampness and is non-toxic.