Abnormal vaginal discharge according to Chinese Medicine
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.
leucorrhoea, profuse vaginal discharge and red vaginal discharge redirect here
Abnormal vaginal discharge can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like abnormal vaginal discharge here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here abnormal vaginal discharge is often associated with sticky vaginal discharge, dizziness and loose stools in the pattern “Damp-Heat”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause abnormal vaginal discharge.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of abnormal vaginal discharge we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat abnormal vaginal discharge.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause abnormal vaginal discharge
In Chinese Medicine abnormal vaginal discharge is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) is the king ingredient for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a formula used for Damp-Heat
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
In addition to abnormal vaginal discharge, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat include sticky vaginal discharge, dizziness and loose stools.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Heat is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Intermenstrual Bleeding or Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Damp-Heat is often treated with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Korean Mint - Huo Xiang - as a key herb). Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to abnormal vaginal discharge, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include dizziness, tiredness and depression.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Yang".
Five herbal formulas that might help with abnormal vaginal discharge
Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Source date: 1831 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Resolves Dampness and transforms turbidity. Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity .
Why might Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan help with abnormal vaginal discharge?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' of which abnormal vaginal discharge is a symptom.
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with abnormal vaginal discharge?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which abnormal vaginal discharge is a symptom.
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with abnormal vaginal discharge?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which abnormal vaginal discharge is a symptom.
Er Xian Tang
Source date: 1950 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys. Clears Empty Heat. Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
Why might Er Xian Tang help with abnormal vaginal discharge?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which abnormal vaginal discharge is a symptom.
Shen Qi Wan
Why might Shen Qi Wan help with abnormal vaginal discharge?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which abnormal vaginal discharge is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat abnormal vaginal discharge
Why might Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with abnormal vaginal discharge?
Because it is a key herb in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' (a pattern with abnormal vaginal discharge as a symptom)
Baikal Skullcap Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Lung, the Small intestine and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome.
Why might Talc (Hua Shi) help with abnormal vaginal discharge?
Because it is a key herb in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' (a pattern with abnormal vaginal discharge as a symptom)
Talc is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination. Expels Damp-Heat from the Urinary Bladder. Dispels Summer Heat. Dries Dampness when applied topically.
Why might Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen) help with abnormal vaginal discharge?
Because it is a key herb in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' (a pattern with abnormal vaginal discharge as a symptom)
Virgate Wormwood is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Damp and clears Heat, especially from the Liver and Gallbladder. Eliminates Heat and relieves the Exterior. Relieve Jaundice.
Why might Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) help with abnormal vaginal discharge?
Because it is a key herb in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' (a pattern with abnormal vaginal discharge as a symptom)
Korean Mint is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Transforms Dampness that is obstructing the Stomach and Spleen. Harmonizes the Middle Warmer, for nausea and vomiting. Relieves the Exterior from invasion of Cold and Damp.
Why might Sweetflag Rhizome (Shi Chang Pu) help with abnormal vaginal discharge?
Because it is a key herb in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' (a pattern with abnormal vaginal discharge as a symptom)
Sweetflag Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Stomach, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Opens the Orifices, awakens the Mind (Shen) and expels Wind-Damp Phlegm. Harmonizes the Earth element and dispels Damp. Applied internally or externally for Wind-Cold-Damp painful obstruction.
Other symptoms often associated with abnormal vaginal discharge
Sticky vaginal discharge Dizziness Tiredness Depression Cold limbs Loose stools White vaginal discharge Poor appetite Frequent urination Smelly Vaginal discharge