Allium fistulosum, Spring Onion, Cong Bai 葱白
Scallion, Green OnionCong Bai (TCM)
Vietz, F.B., Icones plantarum medico-oeconomico-technologicarum, vol. 3 (1806)Botanical name:
Allium fistulosum
Related Allium species are used similarly including A. macrostemon (Chinese Chive)
Parts used:
White part of the fresh stalks
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent
Classification:
A. Clear Exterior Wind-Cold
Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Cold:
-acute Cold or Flu; especially beginning stages
-acute sinus Headache, runny nose
-Fever, shivering
-also clears Eyes when acutely affected by Wind (red, itchy, sore eyes)
2. Warms the Stomach:
-abdominal pain, distension
-poor appetite
-Diarrhea
3. Moves the Blood, Promotes Circulation:
-warms and moves the Blood like its cousin Garlic
-Ischaemia, Atherosclerosis, Arrhythmias
4. Kills Worms:
-Roundworm
5. Externally:
-acute stuffy nose from Wind-Cold, express the juice from the white part of the stalk and sniff the juice
-Abscess, Mastitis, external Ulcers (paste with Honey)
Dose:
2–8 stalks, cut or beaten, boiled gently for 15–20 minutes
Main Combinations:
1. Acute Wind-Cold Cold and Flu:
i. Spring Onion with fresh Ginger, drink hot then sweat in bed
ii. prepare a Rice Congee (porridge) with 20 grams of chopped Spring Onion an eat
2. Cold Stomach and Abdominal Pain:
i. Spring Onion juice can be mixed with Sesame oil and taken
ii. Spring Onion with fresh Ginger and Cumin
iii. Spring Onion with Dry Ginger and Atractylodes Bai Zhu
3. Abscess, Mastitis, external Ulcers, the fresh beaten herb or juice is made into a paste with Honey and applied.
Major Formulas:
Bai Tong Tang
Cong Bai Qi Wei Yin
Cong Chi Tang
Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang
Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang
Cautions:
Not suitable when there is excess Sweating