Discharge-Ceasing Decoction

Discharge-Ceasing Decoction

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu tu chao; dry-fried with earth) 1 liang (30g), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shao Yao chao;dry-fried) 1 liang (30g), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 2 qian (6g), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao jiu chao; wine-fried) 5 qian (15g), Plantaginis Semen (Che Qian Zi jiu chao; wine-fried) 3 qian (9g), Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cang Zhu) 2 qian (6g), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 1 qian (3g), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen Pi) 5 fen (2g), Schizonepetae Spica Carbonisata (Hei Jie Sui) 5 fen (2g), Bupleuri Radix (Chai Hu) 6 fen (2g)

Prepare as a decoction.

Fortifies the spleen and soothes the liver, removes dampness, and arrests vaginal discharge.

Wan Dai Tang is designed to treat disorders of vaginal discharge caused by liver constraint and spleen deficiency. This pattern is marked by thin, clear-white vaginal discharge (similar to clear nasal discharge), a pale complexion, general sluggishness, and thin, unformed stool. The tongue is pale with a white coating and the pulse is moderate or soggy and weak.

Wan Dai Tang is a common formula used to treat abnormal vaginal discharge due to spleen deficiency and liver constraint. The dai mai fails to ensure retention and damp-turbidity then pours downward to become vaginal discharge. The pale complexion indicates spleen deficiency because a healthy complexion depends on abundant qi and blood transformed from the spleen and stomach. A deficient spleen qi fails to transform water and dampness and is unable to send the clear qi upward. Patients, thereby, always present with general sluggishness and thin, unformed stool. Spleen deficiency aggravated by liver constraint, complicated with dai mai insecurity, leads to turbid dampness flowing downward manifesting excessive clear vaginal discharge. The pale tongue and soggy, weak pulse both indicate spleen deficiency and excessive dampness. The therapeutic principles are to supplement spleen qi, soothe the liver and resolve constraint, resolve dampness, and arrest excessive vaginal discharge.

1. Essential pattern differentiation Wan Dai Tang is a common formula applicable to abnormal vaginal discharge due to spleen deficiency. This clinical pattern is marked by thin, clear-white vaginal discharge, pale tongue with white coating, soggy, moderate pulse. 2. Modern applications Wan Dai Tang is used to treat vaginitis, cervical erosion, and pelvic inflammation in patterns differentiated as spleen deficiency with liver constraint. 3. Cautions and contraindications It is inappropriate for yellow vaginal discharge caused by dampness-heat accumulation and long term liver constraint that has transformed into heat.

Ginseng ( Panax ginseng ) is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II. Its trade is allowed but subject to licensing controls.