Modern Pharmacological Mechanisms and Clinical Applications of Xuan-dredging Wind Medicinals： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20252496
- VernacularTitle:风药开玄现代药理机制研究与临床应用进展
- Author:
Yu HU
1
;
Zhen YE
1
;
Qiaobo YE
1
;
Kaihua QIN
2
;
Mingjie WANG
3
Author Information
1. School of Basic Medical Sciences，Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM），Chengdu 611137，China
2. Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College，Chengdu University of TCM，Chengdu 611137，China
3. The Affiliated TCM Hospital of Southwest Medical University，Luzhou 646000，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
wind medicine;
Xuanfu theory;
clinical practice;
pharmacological mechanism;
research progress
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(14):70-83
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Since Li Dongyuan formally proposed the concept of "wind medicinals" （Feng Yao），their clinical application has been highly valued by physicians throughout history. However，influenced by the evolution of the term and connotation of "wind medicinals" in modern times，its conceptual understanding，leading to a decline in clinical utilization. Since the new century，Professor Wang Mingjie has integrated LIU Wanxu's sweat pore （Xuanfu） theory into the reinterpretation of wind medicinals，proposing the "Xuanfu-dredging wind medicinal theory"， which has gained widespread recognition in academic circles，revitalizing their clinical application. This study traces the origin of the Xuan-dredging wind medicinals theory and reviews their current functions and clinical applications，finding that the theoretical framework is preliminarily established. Characterized by their pungent and dispersing properties，wind medicines act by opening the Xuanfu throughout the body，exerting therapeutic effects such as dispelling pathogens，resolving stagnation，and enhancing treatments like blood-activation，spleen-fortification，and heat-clearing. They are widely used，showing advantages in treating systemic diseases including ophthalmic and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disorders. Modern pharmacological research indicates preliminary consensus on hypotheses of cerebral，intestinal，hepatic，and renal Xuanfu. studies on formulas （e.g.，Qufeng Tongqiao Fang），single herbs （e.g.，Mahuang and Gegen），and active constituents （e.g.，tetramethylpyrazine） provide evidence that wind medicines improve key mechanisms like blood-brain barrier function and cerebral microcirculation （material basis of cerebral Xuanfu），supporting their use in brain disorders （e.g.，cerebral ischemia，depression）. Despite clinical and pharmacological support，the clinical application system for wind medicines remains incomplete. Future efforts should focus on high-quality clinical research and mechanistic studies to establish personalized application systems，enhance Xuanfu opening practices，and ensure the effectiveness and safety of wind medicines.
