Cong Chi Tang, Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction, pairs Cong Bai with Dan Dou Chi. The catalogue classes it among the formulas for the early stage of an Exterior pattern, and records it as unblocking Yang in the Exterior to bring on a mild sweat.

Herb

Amount

cong bai

9 g

dan dou chi

12 g

Actions and indications

Unblocks Yang in the Exterior and induces a mild sweat

Very first stage of a Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat attack on the Lungs, often before it is clear which way it will turn
Low fever and slight chills with no sweating
Headache, and a nose that is blocked or running
Suits the elderly, the very young, women after childbirth and others too weak for a strong sweating formula
Tongue normal with a thin white coat; pulse floating

Modern uses

Common cold
Upper respiratory infection
Influenza

Modifications

No sweating after taking the formula: + ge gen, + sheng ma

Marked chills with headache: + qiang huo, + fang feng, + jing jie

Still no sweat after the above additions: + ma huang

Abdominal pain with marked Cold: + sheng jiang, + hong tang

High fever with a swollen, sore throat: + huang qin, + zhi zi, + lian qiao

Marked cough and hoarse voice: + chan tui, + jie geng, + niu bang zi

Turbid Dampness: + huo xiang, + pei lan

Spring or summer cold from a latent pathogen: + fang feng, + jie geng, + chen pi, + xing ren

Muscle aches: + qiang huo, + fang feng, + jing jie, + zi su ye

Sore throat: + jin yin hua, + lian qiao, + pu gong ying, + ban lan gen

Productive cough: + jie geng, + qian hu, + xing ren

Nausea with fullness in the chest and abdomen: + chen pi, + hou po, + huo xiang, + pei lan

Cautions

caution Too mild on its own once Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat or a more serious exterior pattern has fully developed; if chills, fever or other surface signs are strong or outlast the earliest stage, a stronger and more targeted formula is needed

contraindication Not for interior patterns, or for deficiency that has nothing to do with an exterior invasion

caution Dan Dou Chi is fermented soybean, so anyone allergic to or intolerant of soy should be aware of it

caution Any fever or respiratory illness that gets worse, or that affects infants, older people or those with other illness, needs medical assessment rather than this or any herbal formula alone

Pinyin

cong chi tang

English Name

Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction

cong chi tang

About cong chi tang

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Unblocks Yang in the Exterior and induces a mild sweat

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification