Jiedai San for Leukorrhea and Limb Fatigue in Women
The "Gujin Yitong" (Comprehensive Records of Medicine, Ancient and Modern) records a formula named "Jiedai San." Its composition is: Danggushen (Angelica Body) 1.5 qian (4.5g), Chuanxiong (Sichuan Lovage) 8 fen (2.4g), Baishao (White Peony, wine-fried) and Baizhu (Atractylodes, stir-fried) each 1.2 qian (3.6g), Cangzhu (Atractylodes, soaked in rice water and stir-fried), Xiangfu (Cyperus, vinegar-fried), Mudanpi (Moutan Bark, wine-washed), and Fuling (Poria) each 1 qian (3g), Chenpi (Tangerine Peel, pith removed) 1 qian (3g), Yanhuosuo (Corydalis, stir-fried) 8 fen (2.4g), and Zhigancao (honey-fried Licorice) 4 fen (1.2g).
Crush the above into one dose; add an appropriate amount of fresh ginger, decoct in water, strain, and take on an empty stomach, twice daily. Traditional TCM holds that this formula regulates qi and moves blood, dries dampness, and stops leukorrhea. It treats women with disharmony of blood and qi and spleen deficiency with dampness encumbrance, causing abnormal vaginal discharge (baidai) and fatigue of the limbs.
This formula is Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) minus Dihuang (Rehmannia), plus Cangzhu, Baizhu, Mudanpi, Fuling, Chenpi, Yanhuosuo, and Zhigancao. Siwu Tang is the representative TCM formula for invigorating blood and regulating menstruation, but the greasy, cloying nature of Dihuang in Siwu Tang obstructs the diaphragm and is unsuitable for patients with excessive dampness.
Damp-excess patients cannot use Dihuang; they instead need Baizhu, Cangzhu, Fuling, and Zhigancao to fortify the spleen. Baizhu, Fuling, and Zhigancao are themselves derived from Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), the foremost TCM formula for supplementing qi and fortifying the spleen, minus Renshen (Ginseng). Thus this formula both supplements qi and blood without the side effect of cloying the diaphragm. Mudanpi clears heat and cools blood, invigorates blood and resolves stasis; it assists Danggui, Chuanxiong, and Baishao in invigorating blood, and also clears lower-burner damp-heat. Chenpi moves qi, reduces distention, and dries dampness; Yanhuosuo invigorates blood, moves qi, and stops pain.
Used together, this formula treats leukorrhea and limb fatigue caused by spleen deficiency with dampness encumbrance. Menstruation, leukorrhea, and childbirth are common gynecological problems; TCM holds that women's discharge issues belong to damp patterns, mostly caused by spleen failure to transform dampness, so treatment focuses on fortifying the spleen and moving qi. When damp-heat pours downward, heat-clearing herbs must also be added.
This formula uses small doses and is very safe; today it may be decocted directly from prepared herbs at the doses above.