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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Vaginal discharge 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 vaginal discharge 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 vaginal discharge is often associated with dizziness, scanty periods and fatigue in the pattern “Kidney Yang Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause vaginal discharge.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of vaginal discharge 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 vaginal discharge.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause vaginal discharge
In Chinese Medicine vaginal discharge is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
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 vaginal discharge, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include dizziness, scanty periods and fatigue.
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".
Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) is the king ingredient for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a formula used for Damp-Heat
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
In addition to vaginal discharge, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat include dizziness, fatigue and loose stools.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Heat is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Intermenstrual Bleeding or Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Damp-Heat is often treated with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Korean Mint - Huo Xiang - as a key herb). Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to vaginal discharge, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, scanty periods and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
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 vaginal discharge, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel include insomnia, restlessness and dark urine.
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 vaginal discharge, other symptoms associated with Spleen Deficiency with Dampness include insomnia, loose stools and diarrhea.
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,".
Five herbal formulas that might help with vaginal discharge
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 vaginal discharge?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which vaginal discharge is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yang Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
Ba Zheng San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire. Promotes urination. Unblocks painful urinary dribbling.
Why might Ba Zheng San help with vaginal discharge?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' of which vaginal discharge is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Damp-Heat can contribute to many health issues, including Intermenstrual Bleeding.
Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1575 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Resolves Damp-Phlegm. Nourishes Blood.
Why might Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang help with vaginal discharge?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which vaginal discharge is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
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 vaginal discharge?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Deficiency with Dampness' of which vaginal discharge 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 vaginal discharge?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel' of which vaginal discharge is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel can contribute to many health issues, including Vaginal Itching.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat vaginal discharge
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with vaginal discharge?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat vaginal discharge and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat vaginal discharge as a symptom (such as Ba Wei Di Huang Wan for instance).
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Why might Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi) help with vaginal discharge?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat vaginal discharge and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat vaginal discharge as a symptom (such as Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan for instance).
Schisandra Berries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence. Astringes the Lung Qi and stops coughing. Retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Tonifies the Heart and calms the spirit (Shen).
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with vaginal discharge?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vaginal discharge as a symptom, like Wu Pi Yin or Wu Ling San for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with vaginal discharge?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vaginal discharge as a symptom, like Zhen Wu Tang or Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with vaginal discharge?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vaginal discharge as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Liu Jun Zi 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.
Conditions associated with vaginal discharge
Intermenstrual bleeding Scanty menstruation Vaginal itching Late menstruation Absence of menstruation
Other symptoms often associated with vaginal discharge
Dizziness Insomnia Scanty periods Fatigue Depression Abdominal pain Tinnitus Palpitations Night sweats Urinary incontinence