Cong Chi Tang (Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction)
- Release Exterior Wind Cold
- Cong Bai (Alli Fistulosi Bulbus) ...................... 3-5 stalks (9-12g)
- Dan Dou Chi (Sojae Semen Preparatum) ..... 12-30g
Method of preparation: Decoction. Dosage is adjusted depending on whether the diagnosis is one of wind-cold or wind-heat. Cook no more than 5-10 minutes.
Actions: Unblocks the yang (protective) qi in the exterior and induces sweating.
Indications: Mild fever and slight chills without sweating, headache, stuffy nose, a thin, white tongue coating, and floating pulse.
This is the earliest stage of an externally contracted wind-cold or wind-heat disorder. The Lungs govern the exterior as well as the skin and nasal passages. When wind-cold attacks the exterior, or wind-heat attacks the Lungs directly, the first symptoms are fever and chills, an indication that the protective qi and the pathogenic influences are struggling with each other in the exterior. As a consequence, the protective qi cannot fulfill its normal function of warming the exterior, causing chills; meanwhile, the constraint of yang qi in the exterior leads to an accumulation of heat, and thus fever. Since this is the earliest stage of the disorder, all of the signs and symptoms are mild.
Analysis of Formula: Wind-cold or wind-heat in the exterior of the body is dispersed with acrid herbs. A mild condition in its early stages can be treated with light and gentle herbs that induce gentle sweating. Alli Fistulosi Bulbus (Cong Bai) is a warm, acrid herb that unblocks the flow of yang (protective) qi in the exterior and induces sweating. Sojae Semen Preparatum (Dan Dou Chi) releases both externally contracted pathogenic factors from the exterior and constrained yang qi in the interior. Together these herbs gently release the exterior, which is all that is needed to resolve this pattern.
Commentary: This is a rather neutral formula that will not dry out or injure the fluids. It is useful for the treatment of mild exterior conditions, especially those marked by headache and nasal congestion. Most modern textbooks generally prescribe this formula for wind-cold externally contracted disorders. However, typically in such cases, the individual will rarely seek attention until after the condition has worsened; the formula is therefore usually prescribed with additional herbs. Yet some practitioners recommend it for treating any kind of pathogenic qi in the exterior. Historically it was certainly a very popular formula among leading physicians associated with the warm pathogen disease current, such as Ye Tian-Shi and Wang Shi-Xiong. These physicians recommended it for feverish diseases arising from both newly-contracted and lurking pathogens. Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction is especially suited for early stage external invasion, when it may be difficult to judge whether one is dealing with a cold or warm pathogen disease. Although the basic formula contains only two simple ingredients, their combined effect provides a significant potency. Accordingly, the Qing-dynasty physician Fei Bo-Xiong, who favored the use of gentle formulas whenever possible, noted: "[this formula] is exceptionally good at releasing the exterior and unblocking the yang. Do not neglect its use merely because [it is composed] of herbs with mild flavor."
Biomedical Indications: With the appropriate presentation, this formula may be used to treat a variety of biomedically-defined disorders including upper respiratory tract infections and very early stages of many respiratory infections.
Modifications:
- If this formula fails to induce sweating, add Ge Gen (Puerariae Radix) and Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma). If there is still no sweating, add Ma Huang (Ephedra Herba).
- For Pronounced chills and headache, add Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma Seu Radix), and Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), and Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Herba).
- For pronounced cold with abdominal pain, add Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and brown sugar.
- For Pronounced fever with sore and swollen throat, add Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Zhi zi (Gardenia Fructus), and Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus).
- For pronounced coughing and hoarseness, add Chan Tui (Cicadae Periostracum), Jie Geng (Platycodi Radix), and Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus).
- For Concurrent turbid dampness with nausea, a stifling sensation in the chest, loss of taste, and a thick, greasy tongue coating, add Huo Xiang (Pogostemonis/Agastaches Herba) and Pei Lan (Eupatorii Herba).
- For common cold occuring in the spring or summer as a result of a lurking pathogen with aversion to wind, chills and fever, headache, sweating or an absence of sweating, irritibility, and thirst, add Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Jie Geng (Platycodi Radix), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulate Pericarpium), and Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen).