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.
Flooding and leaking 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 flooding and leaking 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 flooding and leaking is often associated with dizziness, hot flushes and irritability in the pattern “Qi and Blood Stagnation”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of flooding and leaking we’ve identified two 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 flooding and leaking.
Qi and Blood Stagnation, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause flooding and leaking
In Chinese Medicine flooding and leaking is a symptom for the pattern "Qi and Blood Stagnation". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) is the king ingredient for Xiao Yao San, a formula used for Qi and Blood Stagnation
Qi and Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red), Red, Red sides
In addition to flooding and leaking, other symptoms associated with Qi and Blood Stagnation include dizziness, hot flushes and irritability.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi and Blood Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Absence Of Menstruation or Menopausal Syndrome.
Qi and Blood Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
Two herbal formulas that might help with flooding and leaking
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes Blood and lymphatic circulation, thus eleminates Blood Stagnation. Softens and resolves hard lumps such as cysts and fibroids.
Why might Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan help with flooding and leaking?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi and Blood Stagnation' of which flooding and leaking is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi and Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Menopausal Syndrome.
Wen Jing Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Uterus and vessels. Nourishes Blood. Dispels Cold. Dispels Blood Stagnation.
Why might Wen Jing Tang help with flooding and leaking?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi and Blood Stagnation' of which flooding and leaking is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi and Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Menopausal Syndrome.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat flooding and leaking
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with flooding and leaking?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat flooding and leaking as a symptom, like Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan or Wen Jing Tang for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Why might Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with flooding and leaking?
Because Peach Kernel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat flooding and leaking as a symptom, like Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang or Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan for instance.
Peach Kernels is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with flooding and leaking?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat flooding and leaking as a symptom, like Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang or Wen Jing Tang for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) help with flooding and leaking?
Because Cinnamon Twig is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat flooding and leaking as a symptom, like Wen Jing Tang or Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan for instance.
Cinnamon Twigs is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood.
Why might Red Peony Root (Chi Shao) help with flooding and leaking?
Because Red Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat flooding and leaking as a symptom, like Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Red Peony Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver.
Conditions associated with flooding and leaking
Other symptoms often associated with flooding and leaking
Dizziness Night sweats Hot flushes Tinnitus Dry throat Malar flush Sore back Dry mouth Dry skin Constipation