Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) (Saposhnikovia divaricata)

Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) is a medicinal root with limited conventional nutritional data, but well-characterized bioactive compounds. Macronutrients: Carbohydrates are the primary macronutrient, comprising approximately 60-70% of dry weight, including polysaccharides (notably RPWP1 and RPWP2 fractions) at concentrations of 8-15% dry weight, which are the primary immune-modulating constituents. Protein content is modest at approximately 8-12% dry weight, and lipid content is low at 2-5% dry weight. Key bioactive compounds include chromones (the most pharmacologically active class): cimifugin at 0.1-0.5% dry weight, 5-O-methylvisammioside at 0.05-0.3% dry weight, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin at 0.3-1.2% dry weight (often the most abundant chromone), and 4'-O-glucosylhamaudol. Coumarins are also present, including deltoin, anomalin, and bergapten at combined concentrations of 0.1-0.4% dry weight. Polyacetylenes including falcarinol and related compounds are present in trace amounts. Essential oil constituents include β-bisabolene and bornyl acetate. Minerals present include calcium (approximately 2-4 mg/g dry weight), potassium, magnesium, and trace iron and zinc. Fiber content is substantial at approximately 15-25% dry weight, primarily insoluble. Bioavailability note: Chromones show moderate oral bioavailability; prim-O-glucosylcimifugin undergoes hepatic metabolism to cimifugin, enhancing its active form concentration systemically. Polysaccharides are largely not absorbed intact but exert immunomodulatory effects via gut-associated lymphoid tissue interaction.