Disperse wind

"Disperse wind" (or "Expel wind") is a fundamental therapeutic principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rather than a single molecular target such as a specific receptor, enzyme, or transporter. In TCM theory, "wind" (Feng) is considered a primary exogenous pathogen responsible for symptoms that are acute, migratory, or rapidly changing, such as fever, headache, sneezing, and skin rashes [3, 9, 14]. Herbs and formulas classified as having the ability to "disperse wind" act by clearing this pathogen from the body's exterior or meridians to restore homeostasis [6, 9]. Modern pharmacological research, particularly network pharmacology, has mapped this traditional concept to a systemic anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanism [2, 8]. These studies show that "disperse wind" agents target a network of proteins including pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6, as well as regulatory pathways such as NF-κB and COX-2 [4, 10, 11]. Consequently, substances with this therapeutic property are commonly utilized in the management of conditions like the common cold, allergic rhinitis, and migraine [1, 13].

Other names

Expel windDispelling windQufengEvacuate wind-heatXiefeng

The therapeutic action is characterized by a multi-target modulation of the immune and inflammatory systems. It primarily involves the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), alongside the suppression of signaling pathways like NF-κB and COX-2 [1, 2, 4, 8]. Additionally, agents with this property may regulate the release of nociceptive neurotransmitters such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) [1].