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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White 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 white 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 white vaginal discharge is often associated with cold limbs, frequent urination and feeling of cold in the pattern “Kidney Qi not Firm”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause white vaginal discharge.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of white 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 white vaginal discharge.
In Chinese Medicine white vaginal discharge 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 Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Kidney Qi not Firm means Kidney Qi Deficiency. Two characteristics are typical in this pattern. Firstly, it is a type of Kidney Yang Deficiency with the associated Cold symptoms. Secondly, it is a type of sinking of Kidneys Qi, thus with many ‘leaking’ downwards symptoms.
In addition to white vaginal discharge, other symptoms associated with Kidney Qi not Firm include cold limbs, frequent urination and feeling of cold.
Kidney Qi not Firm is often treated with You Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). You Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm yang and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi)
In addition to white vaginal discharge, other symptoms associated with Cold-Damp invading the Spleen include loose stools, tiredness and poor appetite.
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen is often treated with Ping Wei San, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Black Atractylodes Rhizomes - Cang Zhu - as a key herb). Ping Wei 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: "Dries Dampness".
The top herbs in You Gui Wan are Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) and Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao)
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which white vaginal discharge is a symptom.
The top herbs in Ping Wei San are Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu), Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) and Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
Source date: 1051 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Dries Dampness. Improves the Spleen's transportive function. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Damp invading the Spleen' of which white vaginal discharge is a symptom.
The top herbs in Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan are Milkvetch Seeds (Sha Yuan Zi), Lotus Seeds (Lian Zi) and Lotus Stamens (Lian Xu)
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Stabilizes the Kidneys. Binds up the semen.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which white vaginal discharge is a symptom.
The top herbs in Fu Tu Dan are Cuscuta Seeds (Tu Si Zi), Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi) and Yam (Shan Yao)
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Stabilizes the Kidney Qi. Strengthens the Spleen. Stops leakage.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which white vaginal discharge is a symptom.
The top herbs in Qing E Wan are Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong), Psoralea Fruits (Bu Gu Zhi) and Walnuts (Hu Tao Ren)
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which white vaginal discharge is a symptom.
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat white vaginal discharge as a symptom, like Yi Huang Tang or Wan Dai Tang for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat white vaginal discharge as a symptom, like Ping Wei San or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
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.
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat white vaginal discharge as a symptom, like Ping Wei San or Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Because Cuscuta Seed is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat white vaginal discharge as a symptom, like Fu Tu Dan or Tu Si Zi Wan for instance.
Cuscuta Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence. Nourishes the Liver.
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat white vaginal discharge as a symptom, like Liu Jun Zi Tang or Wan Dai Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
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).
Sticky vaginal discharge Cold limbs Loose stools Tiredness Dizziness Smelly Vaginal discharge Frequent urination Feeling of cold Poor appetite Late period