da dou juan

大豆卷·Semen Sojae Germinatum

dried soybean sprout

About da dou juan

Da Dou Juan (大豆卷) is the sprouted soybean, recorded as Semen Sojae Germinatum. It is sweet in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Stomach channel alone. The catalogue files it among the cool, acrid herbs that release the Exterior.

Names

Pinyin	da dou juan
Chinese	大豆卷
Latin Name	Semen Sojae Germinatum
English Name	dried soybean sprout·young soybean sprout·young soybean sprout; dried soybean sprout
Japanese	zuken
Korean	daedugwon

Classification

Category: Cool, Acrid, Release Exterior
Channels: Stomach
Flavour: Sweet
Temperature: Neutral

Actions and indications

Releases the Exterior and clears Summerheat and Damp-Heat

Edema
Warm-Damp disease with sweating that does not resolve the illness
Summerheat or fever at an early stage, while Heat and Damp are still at the Exterior
Aching joints and a heavy feeling throughout the body from accumulated Damp; in Summerheat patterns the heaviness is often the most telling sign

Invigorates Qi and Blood and reduces water swelling

Damp-Heat Bi with cramping sinews and painful knees

Raises Yang Qi and opens the channels and collaterals

Joint pain from Damp

Combinations

huo xiang + tong cao
Damp in the channels at the Exterior with Damp in the Middle Jiao, causing epigastric distention, loose stools and body aches
zi su ye
Exterior Summerheat.

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any	6-20 g	—	—	—	—

Cautions

caution Soy allergy: this herb is soybean (as is the fermented Dan Dou Chi), and sprouting does not remove the proteins that cause the allergy
contraindication Cold or purely deficient presentations, where Heat and Damp are absent; it has no tonifying action
caution Fresh raw bean sprouts carry a food-hygiene risk from bacteria that thrive while sprouting; this does not apply to the dried medicinal once boiled