Nature: acrid, sweet, slightly bitter, cold

Enters: Lung, Stomach

Actions: Relieves exterior syndromes; relieves restlessness; clears heat.

Indications:
• Wind-heat or wind-cold: fever, aversion to cold, headache (can be used for either hot or cold invasion, usually for early stage).
• Febrile disease causing stagnant heat in the chest: restlessness, insomnia, irritability, stifling sensation in the chest (Dan dou chi also reaches the heart) – combine with Zhi zi.
• Because of its mild character, is also appropriate for Yin deficiency with a superimposed exterior disorder.
• Is treated either with Ma huang or Zi su ye (more warming effect) or Sang ye or Qing hao (more cooling effect).
MLT: Good for kids (ok taste, nutritive).
• This and all soybeans contain genistein – occupies estrogen binding sites and seems to inhibit development of estrogen-sensitive tumors.
DY: Promotes perspiration; diffuses and out-thrusts external evils from the exterior.
• With Zhi zi, the two herbs unite to form the clearing and diffusing and out-thrusting method to eliminate evils from the exterior and interior. Together, they effectively promote perspiration, drain evils from the exterior, clear and out-thrust heat from the interior, and eliminate vexation due to full heat. For indications such as:
– 1. Vexation and agitation, insomnia, and irritability during or after a warm disease. (Zhi Zi Chi Tang) Use stir-fried Dan dou chi.
– 2. External contraction of wind-heat or a febrile disease.
• Qing dou chi is cold, and clears heat and eliminates vexation
• Wen dou chi is warm and is superior for resolving the exterior and promoting diaphoresis. Although it is warm in nature, it is used in and preferred for wind-heat affections.

Dose: 9-15g