Leukorrhea according to Chinese Medicine

leukorrhagia redirects here

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)".

Read more about Empty-Cold here

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".

Read more about Kidney Yang Deficiency here

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.

Read more about Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang here

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.

Read more about Da Jian Zhong Tang here

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.

Read more about Ba Wei Di Huang Wan here

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.

Read more about You Gui Wan here

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.

Read more about Er Xian Tang here

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.

Read more about Maltose here

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.

Read more about Cinnamon Bark here

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.

Read more about Fresh Ginger here

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.

Read more about White Peony Roots here

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.

Read more about Milkvetch Roots here