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Cura x Cura

Cong Bai葱白

Allii Fistulosi Bulbus · Scallion White · Welsh Onion Bulb

Herbs that Release the Exterior 解表药《神农本草经》

Overview

The white stalk of the ordinary scallion, kept in the materia medica for its lightness: acrid and warm, it opens the pores for the very first stage of a wind-cold chill and unblocks yang qi that cold has stalled. It is a kitchen ingredient as much as a herb, which makes it the classic first-night remedy — fresh, briefly cooked, taken hot.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid · Warm

Channels

Lung · Stomach

Typical Dosage

3–9 g in decoction
葱白Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Releases the exterior, induces sweatingThe first hours of a wind-cold chill: aversion to cold, stuffy nose, headache, no sweating — classically simmered with Dan Dou Chi.
  • Disperses cold, unblocks yangCold abdominal pain and diarrhea with cold limbs; assists Fu Zi and Gan Jiang where yang is blocked.
  • Applied externally to disperse and unblockCrushed warm and applied to the lower abdomen for retention of urine, or to sores to disperse swelling.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Cong Bai

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Very early wind-cold common cold with chills and no sweating
    - Cold abdominal pain, diarrhea with cold limbs
    - Retention of urine or hard swellings, applied topically

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Common coldNasal congestionUrinary retention

Contraindications

Cautions

Sweat-inducing: not for patients who are already sweating freely, or who have a weak exterior and sweat on the slightest effort. Long cooking destroys its effect, so it is added at the end. Traditionally it is not taken together with honey. Culinary amounts are ordinary food; therapeutic use belongs with a practitioner.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — culinary amounts are ordinary food; therapeutic doses at practitioner judgment

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.