Dispel wind

Dispel wind (known in Mandarin as 'Qufeng') is a therapeutic action in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rather than a specific molecular target, such as a protein or receptor. It refers to the pharmacological property of certain herbs and formulas used to eliminate 'Wind' pathogens, which are traditionally believed to cause symptoms like tremors, spasms, wandering pain, itching, and sudden-onset illnesses. In the context of modern pharmacology, 'wind-dispelling' interventions are often studied for their effects on a broad range of biological systems, particularly the immune and nervous systems. While not a single molecule, drugs categorized with this action are frequently found to modulate pro-inflammatory cytokines and regulate pathways such as JAK/STAT and NF-κB. This therapeutic category is commonly applied to conditions that align with modern diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis, allergic rhinitis, stroke, and various dermatological disorders.

Other names

QufengWind-dispellingExpelling windEliminating windQu Feng

In traditional medicine, it functions by clearing exogenous or endogenous 'Wind' pathogens to restore homeostasis. Modern pharmacological research indicates that herbs with this action work through multi-target mechanisms, including the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF-alpha, IL-1β, IL-6), stabilization of mast cells to prevent degranulation, and modulation of signaling axes such as PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.