Chinese: 易黄汤
Pinyin: Yì Huáng Tāng
Other names: Change Yellow (Discharge) Decoction,
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: VaginitisCervicitisTrichomoniasis and three other conditions
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Dries Dampness
- Clears Heat
- Stops vaginal discharge
Contraindications: Contraindicated for patients with yellow vaginal discharge due to Damp Heat or... Contraindicated for patients with yellow vaginal discharge due to Damp Heat or for patients who do not have Damp-Heat. see more
Source date: 1826 AD
Source book: Fu Qing Zhu's Gynecology
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Yi Huang Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Yam (Shan Yao) and Foxnut Seeds (Qian Shi) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1826 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge. Its main actions are: 1) strengthens the Spleen and 2) dries Dampness.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Yi Huang Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Damp-Heat, Spleen Yang Deficiency or Spleen Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as abnormal vaginal discharge, cervicitis or cervical erosion for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the five ingredients in Yi Huang Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Yi Huang Tang helps treat.
The five ingredients in Yi Huang Tang
Shan Yao is a king ingredient in Yi Huang Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Yam (Shan Yao)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Shan Yao strengthens the Spleen and stabilizes the Penetrating Vessel and the Essence. It also works together with Qian Shi (Foxnut seeds) to tonify the Directing Vessel Deficiency. The 2 herbs are also able to support Body Fluids metabolism.
Qian Shi is a king ingredient in Yi Huang Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Foxnut Seeds (Qian Shi)
Part used: Dried kernels of ripe seeds
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: KidneySpleen
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
Qian Shi tonifies the Kidneys and the Spleen and binds up the discharge. It also works with Shan Yao (Yam) to tonify the Directing Vessel Deficiency.
Bai Guo is a deputy ingredient in Yi Huang Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Ginkgo Nuts (Bai Guo)
Part used: Dried ripe seed
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: Lung
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
In general Bai Guo's main actions are as follows: "Assists the Lung Qi, stops cough and expels Phlegm. Stops leakage of Bodily Fluids."
In the context of Yi Huang Tang, it is used because it stabilizes the Lower Burner and restrains the discharge.
Huang Bo is an assistant ingredient in Yi Huang Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bo)
Part used: Dried bark
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: BladderKidneyLarge intestine
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
In general Huang Bo's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner. Clears Kidney Yin Deficient Heat. Applied externally or toxic Fire, especially associated with Dampness."
In the context of Yi Huang Tang, it is used because it is bitter and cooling. It enters the Kidneys and drains excessive Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner.
Che Qian Zi is an assistant ingredient in Yi Huang Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Plantain Seeds (Che Qian Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe seeds
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiverLungSmall intestine
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Che Qian Zi's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and clears Heat. Stops diarrhea by expelling water through urination. Brightens the eyes, used in combination either for Deficiency or Heat. Reduces inflammation of infections. Arrests cough and expectorates Phlegm."
In the context of Yi Huang Tang, it is used because it is sweet and cooling. It removes Dampness primarily through the urine.
Conditions and patterns for which Yi Huang Tang may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Yi Huang Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat three different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Abnormal vaginal discharge Cervicitis Cervical erosion Vaginitis Trichomoniasis Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Yi Huang Tang treats abnormal vaginal discharge" for instance. Rather, Yi Huang Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind abnormal vaginal discharge.
Now let's look at the three patterns commonly treated with Yi Huang Tang.
'Heat' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Heat pattern in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
Symptoms: Acne Fever Thirst Fatigue Hot body Headaches No thirst Dry mouth Dizziness Red urine Joint pain Heavy head Late period Restlessness Loose stools Heavy periods Poor appetite Chest pressure Feeling of heat Sore lower back Vaginal itching Aversion to cold Frequent sighing Vaginal discharge Abdominal fullness Frequent urination Swollen neck glands Abdominal tightness Sore and weak limbs Feeling of heaviness Lower abdominal pain Scanty dark urination Thick menstrual blood Scanty and dark urine Trichomonas infection Irregular menstruation Thermophilus infection Feeling of bearing down Purplish menstrual blood Smelly Vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge Sticky taste in the mouth Bitter taste in the mouth Small clots in menstrual blood Yellow or brown vaginal discharge Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Yi Huang Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Damp-Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as fever, swollen neck glands, headaches and stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium. Patients with Damp-Heat typically exhibit soggy (Ru) pulses.
Within the Four-Levels theory, Damp-Heat is the first level of invasion of External Pathogens, when it still resides in the body's Exterior.
The general symptoms of Damp-Heat are the heaviness of the body and head as well as low temperature fever rising in the afternoon. The patients are not hot on... read more about Damp-Heat
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Gas Edema Chills Fatigue Bloating Lassitude Cold limbs Weak Limbs Loose stools Poor appetite Pale complexion Feeling of cold Vagina discharge Sallow complexion Desire to lie down curled up Undigested food in the stools Slight abdominal distension after eating Abdominal pain and distension relieved by pressure and warmth
Yi Huang Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Spleen Yang Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as slight abdominal distension after eating, lassitude, desire to lie down curled up and pale complexion. Patients with Spleen Yang Deficiency typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as Pale and wet tongue .
Generally speaking, Spleen Yang Deficiency often develops from Spleen Qi Deficiency, but it is more extensive and severe. The common manifestations are these related to digestive functions such as loose stools, poor appetite, slight abdominal distension and pain after eating, gas and bloating.... read more about Spleen Yang Deficiency
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Edema Tiredness Dull face Sore back Depression Cold limbs Amenorrhea Weak Limbs Loose stools Poor appetite White vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge
Yi Huang Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Spleen Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as sticky vaginal discharge, tiredness, depression and cold limbs. Patients with Spleen Deficiency typically exhibit weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thick white coating.
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