Cong Chi Tang
Star葱豉汤 (Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction)
Source: Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang — Ge Hong (341)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Cong Chi Tang (Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction), from the Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang (Emergency Formulas to Keep Up One's Sleeve) by Ge Hong — a variation of Cong Chi Jie Geng Tang.
Actions: Releases the exterior through mild diaphoresis.
Presentation: Early onset of a mild exterior syndrome: fever, aversion to cold, absence of perspiration, headache, stuffy or running nose, sneezing.
Cautions:
- Book states it is a mild formula with no cautions or contraindications, suitable for most exterior syndromes
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 112.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cong Bai
as printed: Cong Bai (Bulbus Allii Fistulosi) 1 handful [3 stalks]
|
3stalks | 100% | — | |
|
Dan Dou Chi
as printed: Dan Dou Chi (Semen Sojae Praeparatum) 1 cup [6g]
|
6g | 100% | — |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
Both gently release the exterior; together they induce a mild sweat for the very early stage of a wind-cold invasion without harsh diaphoresis.
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net cool (-1.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 100%.
Taste
- pungent 33%
- sweet 33%
- bitter 33%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Stomach 100%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Cong Bai.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Cook in 3 cups [600 mL] water down to 1 cup [200 mL]; take strained decoction immediately. If no sweating, repeat adding Ge Gen 6g and Sheng Ma 6g, decocting in 5 cups [1,000 mL] to 2 cups [400 mL]; if still no sweating, add Ma Huang 6g and give again. Bracketed doses may be used today.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Xing Qian Cong Chi Tang = this formula + Jie Geng, Ju Hong, Qian Hu, Xing Ren, Zhi Ke and Zi Su Geng
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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