Properties: Pungent, bitter and cool
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung and Stomach
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Releases the Exterior
Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat
Yin Deficiency with superimposed Exterior disorders
- Eliminates irritability, harmonizes the Middle Jiao and relieves stuffy sensations in the chest
Irritability, restlessness, insomnia, stifling sensations in the chest and insomnia following a febrile disease
Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Interactions:
- MAOIs: Tyramine is broken down by monoamine oxidase and inhibitors can prevent this breakdown. Usually in small quantities in soy, but fermentation case raise by 20-fold causing high blood pressure.
- Antibiotics: May decrease effectiveness of soy by killing gut bacteria required to break it down.
- Oestrogens: May compete for the same receptors decreasing the effectiveness of oestrogen medications including tamoxifen.
- Warfarin: May decrease the effectiveness for reasons unknown. Have blood checked regularly.
- Medications changed by Cytochrome P450 2C9: May affect these medications including amitriptyline, cannabidol, clopidogrel, diazepam, diclofenac, estradiol, fluoexitine, fluvastatin, ibuprofen, loratidine, methadone, naproxen, phenytoin, progesterone, s-warfarin, tamoxifen, testosterone, tolbutamide, valproic acid and zafirlucast. For a complete list see the Cytochrome P450 Substrates.
- Should be stopped before surgery due to probable anticoagulant effect and inhibitory effect of soy extracts on CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 (University of Texas at El Paso, accessed 2021)).
Notable Constituents:
- Genistein
Isoflavone described as an angiogenesis inhibitor, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a phytoestrogen. It plays a role in prevention of atherosclerosis and as an inhibitor of oestrogen dependent cancers and displayed antihelmintic and geroprotective activity.
- Daidzein
A second isoflavone inactive analogue of genestein with antioxidant and phytoestrogen properties.
- Lecithin
A phospholipid with a polar choline found in phosphoester linkage to diacylglycerol. It is commonly used as a food additive, as an emulsifier to blend fats and water, and marketed as a supplement to benefit the gut mucosal lining and helping with disorders such as ulceration and potentially improving gut microbial diversity. However, it could have the opposite effect in some individuals, increasing inflammation and disrupting the microbial environment (Panyod et al., 2024).
- Nattokinase
A serine protease enzyme of the subtilisin family isolated from fermented soybeans which has demonstrated strong fibrinolytic activity by inactivating plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and appears to have some effect even after digestion (Chen, 2018).
Notes:
Liu Lihong, in Classical Chinese Medicine, pp. 59-60, connects miso, derived from fermented soy beans, with the Kidneys on the basis of their shape resembling a kidney, their salty taste and fermentation being a rotting process which the Su Wen attributes as the odour associated with Water and the Kidneys. See entry on Miso / Wei Zeng for full details although logic should dictate that some of these attributes will apply to Dan Dou Chi too. This is only really evident in its ability to expel pathogens on the presence of Yin deficiency or clear irritability and insomnia as a result of an external pathogen damaging Yin.
Appears in 22 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Cong Chi Tang (Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction)
From: Emergency Formulas to Keep Up One's Sleeve (3rd Century) by Ge Hong
Huo Po Xia Ling Tang (Patchouli/Agastache, Magnolia Bark, Pinellia and Poria Decoction)
From: Bases of Medicine (1861) by Shi Shou-Tang
Huo Ren Cong Chi Tang (Safeguarding Life with Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction)
From: Book to Safeguard Life Arranged According to Pattern (1108)
Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang (Modified Solomon's Seal Decoction)
From: Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold Damage by Yu Gen-Chu, Revised by He Bing-Yuan (Qing dynasty)
Lian Po Yin (Coptis and Magnolia Drink)
From: Discussion of Sudden Turmoil Disorders (1862) by Wang Shi-Xiong
Liu Shen Tong Jie San (Six Miracle Powder to Unblock and Release)
From: Comprehensive Medicine According to Master Zhang (1695) by Zhang Lu-Yu / Shi-Wan
Sang Xing Tang (Mulberry Leaf and Apricot Kernal Decoction)
From: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases by Wu Tang / Wu Ju Tong (1798)
Sang Ye Ju Hua Xiang Chi Cha (Mulberry, Chrysanthemum & Fermented Soybean Tea)
From: Chinese Medicinal Teas by Zong Xiao-Fan and Gary Liscum (1996)
Shen Xi Dan (Magical Rhinoceros Special Pill)
From: Warp and Weft of Warm Diseases by Wang Shi-Xiong / Wang Meng-Ying (1852)
Shi Gao Tang (Gypsum Decoction)
From: Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library by Wang Tao (752)
Shi Gao Tang (Gypsum Decoction)
From: Six Texts on Cold Damage (1445) by Tao Hua
Shuang Jie Jia Cong Chi Tang (Double Releasing Decoction with Spring Onion and Prepared Soybeans)
From: Comprehensive Medicine According to Master Zhang (1695) by Zhang Lu-Yu / Shi-Wan
Xi Di Tou Ying Tang (Rhinocerous and Rehmannia Decocotion for Venting the Nutritive Level)
From: Selected Formulas for Warm-Heat Pathogen Diseases (c. 1900)
Xiang Su Cong Chi Tang (Cyperus, Perilla Leaf, Scallion and Prepared Soybean Deoction)
From: Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold Damage by Yu Gen-Chu, Revised by He Bing-Yuan (Qing dynasty)
Xing Qian Cong Chi Tang (Apricot Kernel, Peucedanum, Spring Onion and Chinese Garlic Decoction)
From: Revised and Expanded Discussion of Warm-Heat Pathogen Diseases (1907) by He Lian-Chen
Yin Qiao San (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder)
From: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases by Wu Tang / Wu Ju Tong (1798)
Zhi Shi Zhi Zi Chi Tang (Bitter Orange, Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)
Zhi Zi Chi Tang (Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)
Zhi Zi Da Huang Tang (Gardenia and Rhubarb Decoction)
From: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)
Zhi Zi Gan Cao Chi Tang (Gardenia, Licorice and Fermented Soybean Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)
Zhi Zi Qin Ge Tang (Gardenia, Scutellaria and Kudzu Decoction)
From: Unwilting Formulas (Qing Dynasty)
Zhi Zi Sheng Jiang Chi Tang (Gardenia, Fresh Ginger and Fermented Soybean Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
