Witnessed by: TCM
Stephania (Stephania tetrandra), of the Menispermaceae family. Perennial twining vine with a thick cylindrical root; native range: southern and central China, Taiwan. Globally recognized as han fang ji (汉防己) in Chinese, and fangji, tetrandra root in English. The part used is root. Heavy grey-brown root, very bitter, cutting a clean white cross-grained interior.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
STEPHANIA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- stephania
- Scientific name
- Stephania tetrandra S.Moore
- Family
- Menispermaceae
Form
- Part used
- root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Bladder · Lung · Spleen
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- expels wind-dampness, unblocks the channels, promotes urination, and reduces edema
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in yin deficiency or in a weak Spleen without damp-heat
- Toxicity
- true Stephania root is low in toxicity, but the market herb must be distinguished from nephrotoxic Aristolochia (guang fang ji), which contains aristolochic acid
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.