dan dou chi

淡豆豉·Semen Sojae Preparatum

Prepared Soybean

About dan dou chi

Dan Dou Chi (淡豆豉) is the soybean after fermenting, recorded as Semen Sojae Praeparatum. It is sweet, slightly bitter and acrid in flavour, cold in temperature, and enters the Lung and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the cool, acrid herbs that release the Exterior.

Names

Pinyin	dan dou chi
Chinese	淡豆豉·淡豆敕
Latin Name	Semen Sojae Preparatum·Semen Sojae Praeparatum
English Name	Prepared Soybean
Japanese	tantoshi
Korean	damdusi

Classification

Category: Cool, Acrid, Release Exterior
Channels: Lung, Stomach
Flavour: Acrid, Sweet, Slightly Bitter
Temperature: Cold
Part used: Bean
Family: Fabaceae
Species: Glycine max
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Releases the Exterior

Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold, the choice resting on the fermentation method
Exterior conditions on top of Yin deficiency, where this mild herb suits better than stronger sweating herbs

Relieves irritability, harmonises the Middle Jiao and eases oppression in the chest

Restlessness, irritability, a tight, stuffy chest and insomnia, especially in the wake of a febrile illness; used alone or with Zhi Zi

Combinations

cong bai
Early Wind-Cold invasion with fever without sweating, epigastric pain and distention; common cold with Yin Deficiency
bo he + jing jie + niu bang zi
Early Wind-Heat disorder with headache and fever
niu bang zi + lian qiao
Wind-Heat.
zhi zi
Wind-Heat with irritability and insomnia; Exterior Heat just entering the Interior; late-stage residual Heat lodged in the chest and diaphragm, with restlessness, irritability, vexation, chest oppression, headache, nausea, insomnia and emerging rashes (stop if vomiting occurs)
lu lu tong + di gu pi
Hematuria.
cong bai + sheng jiang
Early-stage Wind-Cold.
ma huang + ge gen
Wind-Cold with no sweating and a tight pulse
bo he + jin yin hua + lian qiao
Wind-Heat.
huang lian + xie bai
Middle Jiao Damp-Heat with diarrhea

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any 6-18g; Maximum dosage: 50g; Tincture: 2-4ml	6-18 g	—	2-4 ml	—	—

Cautions

lactation Breastfeeding: traditionally held to reduce milk supply, so avoid it or use only with professional guidance
caution Choose the preparation that fits the pattern (Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat) rather than using it indiscriminately