Yudai Wan and Jiedai San for Leukorrhea (Excessive Vaginal Discharge)

Excessive leukorrhea is a common gynecological condition, and many formulas for it have existed since antiquity. This article excerpts two classical formulas for treating vaginal discharge in women.

The first is “Yudai Wan” (Leukorrhea-Recovery Pills) from Sihe Ting Jifang, composed of: Radix Rehmanniae preparata (Shudi) 4 liang (120 g), Radix Paeoniae alba (Baishao) 5 liang (150 g), Radix Angelicae sinensis (Danggui) 3 liang (90 g), Cortex Phellodendri (Chuanbo, i.e. Huangbai) 2 liang (60 g), Rhizoma Alpiniae officinarum (Gaoliangjiang) 2 liang (60 g), Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 1 liang (30 g), Cortex Ailanthi (Chungenpi) 15 liang (450 g). Grind the above herbs into powder and form pills with rice-water paste. Take about 10 g each time with warm water, twice daily.

This formula warms and supplements the Conception and Penetrating Vessels, dries dampness, and stops leukorrhea; it is indicated for women with insecure Conception/Penetrating Vessels and dysfunction of the Dai (Belt) Vessel, presenting red-white vaginal discharge and lingering menstrual turbidity. It is essentially Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) plus Phellodendron, Ailanthus bark, and Alpinia. Si Wu Tang activates and nourishes blood; Phellodendron and Ailanthus bark clear heat, dry dampness, and stop discharge; Alpinia warms the channels and stops pain while moderating the cold nature of Phellodendron and Ailanthus. Combined, these herbs activate and nourish blood, clear heat and dry dampness, stop discharge, and regulate menstruation.

The second formula for excessive leukorrhea, “Jiedai San” (Discharge-Resolving Powder), comes from Gu Jin Yi Jian (Orthodox Medical Mirror Ancient and Modern), composed of: Angelica body (Danggushen) 1.5 qian (4.5 g), Chuanxiong 0.8 qian (2.4 g), white Paeonia (wine-fried) 1.2 qian (3.6 g), Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae (Baizhu) 1.2 qian (3.6 g), Rhizoma Atractylodis (Cangzhu) 1 qian (3 g), vinegar-prepared Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) 1 qian (3 g), Cortex Moutan (Danpi) 1 qian (3 g), Poria (Fuling) 1 qian (3 g), Rhizoma Corydalis (Yanhusuo) 0.8 qian (2.4 g), prepared Licorice 0.4 qian (1.2 g). Make a coarse powder, add an appropriate amount of fresh ginger, decoct in water, strain, and take on an empty stomach, twice daily.

This formula regulates qi and moves blood, dries dampness and stops leukorrhea; it is indicated for women with disharmony of qi and blood and spleen deficiency with dampness encumbrance causing vaginal discharge and heaviness and fatigue of the limbs. It is Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasures Decoction) minus the cloying, warming Ginseng and Rehmannia, plus Moutan to cool blood and stop bleeding, Cangzhu to fortify the spleen and dry dampness, vinegar-prepared Cyperus to soothe the liver and move qi, and Corydalis to activate blood and stop pain. Bazhen Tang tonifies both qi and blood, but its Ginseng and Rehmannia risk obstructing the diaphragm and are unsuitable for patients with spleen deficiency and damp encumbrance—who usually also present abdominal distension and poor appetite; hence herbs such as Cyperus, Cangzhu, and Corydalis are used to move qi and activate blood.

The two leukorrhea formulas emphasize different aspects and have somewhat different indications, reflecting the TCM idea of “treating the same disease with different methods.”