Shrinking of the vagina 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.
Shrinking of the vagina 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 shrinking of the vagina 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 shrinking of the vagina is often associated with testicular pain, contraction of the scrotum and feeling of cold in the pattern “Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of shrinking of the vagina we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Nuan Gan Jian can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause shrinking of the vagina
In Chinese Medicine shrinking of the vagina is a symptom for the pattern "Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to shrinking of the vagina, other symptoms associated with Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel include testicular pain, contraction of the scrotum and feeling of cold.
Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel is often treated with Nuan Gan Jian, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Fennel Seeds - Xiao Hui Xiang - as a key herb). Nuan Gan Jian belongs to the category of "formulas that promote qi movement", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Liver and Kidneys".
Read more about Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel here
A herbal formula that might help with shrinking of the vagina
Nuan Gan Jian
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Liver and Kidneys. Promotes the movement of Qi. Alleviates pain.
Why might Nuan Gan Jian help with shrinking of the vagina?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel' of which shrinking of the vagina is a symptom.
The two Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat shrinking of the vagina
Why might Fennel Seed (Xiao Hui Xiang) help with shrinking of the vagina?
Because it is a key herb in Nuan Gan Jian, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel' (a pattern with shrinking of the vagina as a symptom)
Fennel Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Kidney, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Expels Cold and relieves pain. Regulates Qi of the Stomach.
Why might Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) help with shrinking of the vagina?
Because it is a key herb in Nuan Gan Jian, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel' (a pattern with shrinking of the vagina 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.
Other symptoms often associated with shrinking of the vagina
Testicular pain Contraction of the scrotum Feeling of cold Cold hands and feet