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.
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Itchniness of the vulva 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 itchniness of the vulva 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 itchniness of the vulva is often associated with insomnia, dark urine and excessive vaginal discharge in the pattern “Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause itchniness of the vulva.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of itchniness of the vulva we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the four medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat itchniness of the vulva.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause itchniness of the vulva
In Chinese Medicine itchniness of the vulva 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.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to itchniness of the vulva, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel include insomnia, dark urine and excessive vaginal discharge.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel is associated with health issues such as Vaginal Itching.
Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel is often treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Chinese Gentian - Long Dan Cao - as a key herb). Long Dan Xie Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
In addition to itchniness of the vulva, other symptoms associated with Spleen Deficiency with Dampness include insomnia, dark urine and excessive vaginal discharge.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Spleen Deficiency with Dampness is associated with health issues such as Vaginal Itching.
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness is often treated with Wu Ling San, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Water Plantain - Ze Xie - as a key herb). Wu Ling San belongs to the category of "formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes urination,".
Three herbal formulas that might help with itchniness of the vulva
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Clears Phlegm and mucus. Promotes appetite.
Why might Liu Jun Zi Tang help with itchniness of the vulva?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Deficiency with Dampness' of which itchniness of the vulva is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Spleen Deficiency with Dampness can contribute to many health issues, including Vaginal Itching.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with itchniness of the vulva?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel' of which itchniness of the vulva is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel can contribute to many health issues, including Vaginal Itching.
Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin
Source date: 1732 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Warms the Kidneys. Drains Dampness. Separates the clear from the turbid.
Why might Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin help with itchniness of the vulva?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Deficiency with Dampness' of which itchniness of the vulva is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Spleen Deficiency with Dampness can contribute to many health issues, including Vaginal Itching.
The four Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat itchniness of the vulva
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with itchniness of the vulva?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat itchniness of the vulva as a symptom, like Liu Jun Zi Tang or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Fish-Poison Yam (Bi Xie) help with itchniness of the vulva?
Because it is a key herb in Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with itchniness of the vulva as a symptom)
Fish-Poison Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Bladder, the Stomach and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and eliminates cloudy urine. Eliminates Wind-Damp. Relieves Damp-Heat from the skin.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with itchniness of the vulva?
Because it is a key herb in Liu Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with itchniness of the vulva as a symptom)
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) help with itchniness of the vulva?
Because it is a key herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with itchniness of the vulva as a symptom)
Chinese Gentian is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Clears Liver-Fire. Clears Liver-Wind.
Conditions associated with itchniness of the vulva
Other symptoms often associated with itchniness of the vulva
Insomnia Dark Urine Excessive vaginal discharge Smelly Vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge Yellow vaginal discharge Painful intercourse Restlessness Irritability White vaginal discharge