Ledebouriella (Fang Feng)

Botanical Name: Ledebouriella divaricata, L. seseloides, Saposhnikovia divaricata

Ledebouriella root is a prized herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, used for hundreds of years to help heal painful diarrhea, sore throats, headaches, chills, and fevers associated with colds. It is also used for treating tremors and painful swollen joints and arthritis. Ledebouriella is known by three botanical names: Ledebouriella divaricata, L. seseloides, and Saposhnikovia divaricata. These are not different species, but different botanical names for the same plant.

Watch a short video, from Ann Christensen, Founder and Creator of White Rabbit Institute of Healing™ – Ledebouriella and Arsenic…

Remember to check with your doctor before trying new medicines or herbal remedies, especially if you are taking other medication where drug interactions are possible.

Below is an overview of ledebouriella, combining the best of Western Science, Oriental Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore, and a wide range of healing modalities. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of ledebouriella.

Parts Most Frequently Used: Root, Leaf, Flower, Seed

Flavors/Temps: Sweet, Pungent, Slightly Warm

Caution: Considered safe. Traditionally, ledebouriella is not used with ginger (Zingiberis officinalis), black false hellebore (Veratrum nigrum), or dioscorea (Dioscorea hypoglauca). It is also generally not recommended for those with Parkinson’s disease.

Key Constituents: Anomalin, Furocoumarins, Polyacetylenes, Hyperosides, Terpenes, Phenolic compounds, Mannitol

History/Folklore: Ledebouriella is an herb that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Beyond this herb’s ability for treating cold symptoms such as sore throats, fevers, and aching muscles, the herb’s sweet and pungent tastes associate it with disorders identified in TCM with the Liver and Spleen Systems. It is considered excellent at Expelling Wind and Damp which are both identified as External Pathogenic Factors in TCM. It Clears Wind which can in turn induce sweating helping to treat cold symptoms. Studies have shown it can help lower fevers for up to 2 hours with a single dose.

Ledebouriella can also be used externally to treat itching and inflamed skin. It is used for treating eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. It can also be used in formulas to help treat German measles.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ledebouriella is considered a mild antipyretic with a primary function of Dispersing Wind. Combined with astragalus it can be used to help build immunity and Qi (Energy).

Comparatively, ledebouriella is said to penetrate more deeply than Jing Jie (Schizonepeta tenuifolia) which tends to treat ailments that remain at skin level. Ledebouriella reaches the muscles and tendons and the herb Qiang Huo (Notopterygium) is said to penetrate more deeply than ledebouriella, to the bones and tendons. Ledebouriella is considered less drying than other expelling herbs. It is in fact, considered to be the most moistening of the Clear Wind or Release to the Exterior herbs.

This herb contains polysaccharides that are like those found in green tea, only more powerful. These compounds are powerful antioxidants that help heal and prevent free radicals from damaging DNA and causing disease.

Ledebouriella is typically used in combination with other herbs. For example, it blends nicely with ligusticum (Chuan Xiang) and angelica for helping to build immunity. A famous cold remedy, called Yin Chiao, includes ledebouriella with other herbal ingredients known for helping to treat colds at the early stages of invasion.

Good quality is coarse, strong, with a tight, thin cortex. The cross sections will have brown rings around a light yellow center.

The seeds are used commercially to make an essential oil used in lotions and skin products to treat itchy, red, and inflamed skin conditions and dermatitis.

The young leaves are edible raw or cooked and where the plant is found in the wild, the young leaves and flowers will be boiled to make a tea to treat cold and flu symptoms.