Leukorrhea 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.
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Leukorrhea 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 leukorrhea 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 leukorrhea is often associated with dizziness, loose stools and poor appetite in the pattern “Empty-Cold”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause leukorrhea.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of leukorrhea 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 leukorrhea.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause leukorrhea
In Chinese Medicine leukorrhea 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.
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) is the king ingredient for Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, a formula used for Empty-Cold
Empty-Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to leukorrhea, other symptoms associated with Empty-Cold include dizziness, loose stools and poor appetite.
Empty-Cold is often treated with Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)".
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 leukorrhea, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include dizziness, spermatorrhea and vaginal discharge.
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 leukorrhea
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Tonifies Qi. Relieves spasmodic pain.
Why might Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang help with leukorrhea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Cold' of which leukorrhea is a symptom.
Da Jian Zhong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Middle Burner Deficiency. Directs rebellious Qi downward. Relieves pain.
Why might Da Jian Zhong Tang help with leukorrhea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Cold' of which leukorrhea 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 leukorrhea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which leukorrhea 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 leukorrhea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which leukorrhea 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 leukorrhea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which leukorrhea is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for leukorrhea
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat leukorrhea
Why might Maltose (Yi Tang) help with leukorrhea?
Because it is a key herb in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Cold' (a pattern with leukorrhea as a symptom)
Maltose is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Fortifies Qi and tonifies the Spleen. Soothes and tonifies the Middle Warmer. Lubricates the Lungs.
Why might Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) help with leukorrhea?
Because it is a key herb in You Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with leukorrhea as a symptom)
Cinnamon Bark is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and Kidneys and tonifies the Yang. Expels Cold, Warms the meridians, promotes circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves pain. Used with tonics to assist in the generation of Qi and Blood.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with leukorrhea?
Because it is a key herb in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Cold' (a pattern with leukorrhea as a symptom)
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with leukorrhea?
Because it is a key herb in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Cold' (a pattern with leukorrhea as a symptom)
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with leukorrhea?
Because it is a key herb in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Cold' (a pattern with leukorrhea as a symptom)
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Other symptoms often associated with leukorrhea
Dizziness Diarrhea Spermatorrhea Vaginal discharge Tinnitus Urinary incontinence Abnormal uterine bleeding Dysentery Impotence Loose stools