Gynecological External Medicine: Zhimilin (Zhimikang) Suppositories
Zhimilin Shuan (also called Zhimikang Shuan) is an external medicine specifically for gynecological disease. It is composed of five herbs: Phellodendron bark (huangbai), sophora root (kushen), catechu (ercha), dried alum (kufan), and borneol (bingpian). The suppositories are brown to brownish-brown, duck-bill-shaped, each weighing 3g. According to traditional TCM theory, their main action is to clear heat and resolve toxins, dry dampness, and astringe; they are used for leukorrhea due to damp-heat pouring downward, presenting as profuse, yellow, thick, malodorous discharge, sometimes with dry stool.
Today the drug is often used for bacterial vaginosis, trichomonal vaginitis, and cervical erosion presenting with the above patterns. Use one suppository every other day. Before bed, wash the external genitalia and push the suppository deep into the vagina; 10 days make one course. Combining it with oral patent medicines such as Qushi Zhidai Wan or Ermiao Wan / Sanmiao Wan gives better results and a shorter course. Besides the suppository, Zhimilin now also comes as an effervescent tablet, used the same way.
Phellodendron and sophora in this product are both bitter and cold; TCM holds that they dry dampness, and modern pharmacology shows they have broad-spectrum antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Catechu activates blood and resolves stasis, reduces inflammation and pain, stops bleeding, and promotes tissue growth; it is a common TCM herb for ulcer-type diseases. Dried alum dissipates phlegm, dries dampness, stops diarrhea, bleeding, and leukorrhea, resolves toxins, and kills parasites; it inhibits both bacteria and trichomonads. Borneol clears heat, resolves toxins, relieves pain and itching, and acts quickly, producing immediate pain and itch relief (usually within minutes). Overall, every herb in this formula targets the common causes and symptoms of gynecological leukorrheal disease.
Zhimilin suppositories also provide some relief from certain symptoms caused by cervical cancer, but the product does not treat cervical cancer itself. Thus, while using it to relieve symptoms, patients should, under a doctor's guidance, pursue other comprehensive anti-cancer regimens. This is a prescription drug; use it under the guidance of a qualified physician. It is contraindicated in minors.