Fahan Chi Congee

[Taiping Shenghui Formula]

[Porridge Recipe Composition] 15 to 20 grams of Semen Sojae Preparatum (dàn dòu chǐ), 3 to 6 grams of Herba Schizonepetae, 1 to 2 grams of Herba Ephedrae, 20 to 30 grams of Radix Puerariae, 3 grams of Fructus Gardeniae, 60 to 90 grams of Gypsum Fibrosum powder, three slices of Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, two stalks of Bulbus Allii Fistulosi, and 2 liang (100 grams) of Non-glutinous Rice.

[Indications and Effects] Induce sweating and clear heat. Applicable for persistent high fever caused by common cold, Lung-heat-induced asthma and shortness of breath, headache, absence of sweating, restlessness, insomnia, dry throat and thirst, as well as patients with high fever and absence of sweating caused by viral infections.

[Decoction Method] First, put all the aforementioned herbs into a casserole to decoct the juice (the decoction time should not be too long, just decoct for 5 – 10 minutes after boiling), remove the dregs, add polished round-grained rice, and cook together into a thin porridge.

[Explanation of Congee Efficacy] Congee with Sojae Semen Preparatum for Inducing Sweating is a large compound congee for supports cold and fever. It contains many medicinal ingredients with complex compatibility and has excellent effects. The role of Sojae Semen Preparatum in the formula is to helps with occasional exogenous superficial pathogens. When combined with Gardeniae Fructus, it forms the famous formula “Gardeniae Fructus and Sojae Semen Preparatum Decoction” from Zhang Zhongjing’s Treatise on Febrile wellness, which is quite effective for restlessness and insomnia.

Schizonepetae Herba is a medicinal herb that dispels wind and helps with occasional the exterior, used for supports signs of imbalance of wind-cold and wind-heat common colds. Its main component is volatile oil. Pharmacological studies have confirmed that Schizonepetae Herba enhances sweat gland secretion (i.e., induces sweating) and has antipyretic effects on experimental fever.

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) can induce sweating and helps with occasional fever. When used in combination with a large dose of gypsum (Gypsum Fibrosum), it significantly enhances the effects of clearing heat and inducing sweating, providing excellent therapeutic results for conditions characterized by high fever without sweating. Clinical observations and animal experiments have demonstrated that gypsum possesses significant antipyretic capabilities. Therefore, the combined use of gypsum and ephedra works together to achieve the function of “releasing the exterior with pungent and cool properties.”

Puerariae Radix is sweet, moistening, neutral in nature and slightly cold, with the effects of relieving fever and quenching thirst. For patients with common cold, if the body heat does not subside, regardless of whether they have thirst or not, or have sweating or not, Puerariae Radix can be applied. According to pharmacological test reports, Puerariae Radix indeed has a strong antipyretic effect and can also be used to supports headaches and neck pain caused by hypertension, coronary Heart wellness angina pectoris, etc. In addition, Allii Fistulosi Bulbus and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens can also help induce sweating and helps with occasional fever.

The combined application of the above herbs has a strong sweating and antipyretic effect. Excessive sweating can easily lead to collapse in the human body. Therefore, cooking porridge with japonica rice serves two purposes: on one hand, it moderates the properties of the aforementioned herbs; on the other hand, it can “support the vital qi”, enhance the patient’s tolerance, enabling sweating and fever reduction without harming the body. This is in line with the traditional Chinese medicine principle of “strengthening the body resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors”.

In conclusion, the Fahan Chizhou Prescription is an excellent antipyretic formula. Its medication compatibility is rigorous, the dosage and administration are scientific, and the effect is quite satisfactory. According to Taiping Shenghui Fang · Volume 96, “It is used to supports high fever and headache due to stroke and typhoid fever. It is suitable to take the Fahan Chizhou Prescription within two or three days after the onset. One dou of fermented soybean, a handful of schizonepeta, three fen of ephedra with roots and nodes removed, one liang of chopped pueraria, three fen of gardenia seed kernels, three liang of crushed gypsum wrapped in cotton, seven stalks of chopped scallion whites, half a liang of chopped ginger, and two dou of japonica rice. Add three large bowls of water and boil until two bowls remain. Remove the dregs, add the rice, and cook into a thin porridge. Take it until sweating occurs for it to be effective. If there is no profuse sweating, it is advisable to take another dose.” The so-called “high fever” refers to a high body temperature, and the so-called “stroke” should not be understood as “stroke paralysis”, but rather as a condition caused by wind-cold or wind-heat pathogens.

[Precautions] The main indications for using sweat-inducing fermented soybean porridge are high fever, absence of sweating, and headache. It is not suitable for those who have sweating and aversion to cold. If sweating and fever reduction occur after taking it, discontinue use immediately.

[Reference Materials]

[Taiping Shenghui Fang · Volume 96]: “For food therapy to supports wind-evil epilepsy, dry mouth and parched tongue, restlessness of the Heart and headache, sudden heat and mental confusion, it is advisable to consume Gypsum Congee. Take half a jin of gypsum (Gypsum Fibrosum) and one he of polished round-grained rice. Add the gypsum to five large bowls of water, boil it, and take two large bowls of the liquid. Remove the gypsum. Use the liquid to cook the rice into congee. When the congee is almost cooked, add two stalks of scallion whites and two he of fermented soybean juice. Cook them together until fully cooked. Consume it on an empty stomach. The gypsum can be used three times.”

Q1: What is Fahan Chi Congee?

A1: Fahan Chi Congee is a traditional Chinese medicinal porridge derived from the Taiping Shenghui Formula. It combines ingredients like Semen Sojae Preparatum, Herba Schizonepetae, and Herba Ephedrae to induce sweating and clear heat. This congee is specifically used for persistent febrile conditions.

Q2: What is the Fahan Chi Congee recipe?

A2: The Fahan Chi Congee recipe includes 15-20 grams of Semen Sojae Preparatum, 3-6 grams of Herba Schizonepetae, 1-2 grams of Herba Ephedrae, 20-30 grams of Radix Puerariae, 3 grams of Fructus Gardeniae, 60-90 grams of Gypsum Fibrosum powder, three slices of Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, two stalks of Bulbus Allii Fistulosi, and 100 grams of non-glutinous rice. These are combined to create a porridge with diaphoretic and antipyretic effects.

Q3: How to make Fahan Chi Congee?

A3: To make Fahan Chi Congee, first decoct the medicinal herbs—Semen Sojae Preparatum, Herba Schizonepetae, Herba Ephedrae, Radix Puerariae, Fructus Gardeniae, Gypsum Fibrosum, and Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens—in water. Strain the decoction, then add the non-glutinous rice and Bulbus Allii Fistulosi to cook into a porridge. The congee is taken while warm to promote sweating and reduce fever.

Q4: What are the indications for Fahan Chi Congee?

A4: Fahan Chi Congee is indicated for conditions requiring sweating and heat clearance, particularly persistent febrile states. Its combination of Ephedra and Schizonepeta stimulates perspiration, while Gypsum and Gardenia help reduce internal heat. This formula is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to address exterior syndromes with interior heat.

Q5: Can Fahan Chi Congee treat fever?

A5: Yes, Fahan Chi Congee is formulated to treat fever by inducing sweating and clearing heat. The ingredients like Herba Ephedrae and Herba Schizonepetae promote diaphoresis, while Gypsum Fibrosum and Fructus Gardeniae target internal heat. It is specifically applicable for persistent febrile conditions as per the Taiping Shenghui Formula.