Change Yellow (Discharge) Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Yi Huang Tang
English Translation: Change Yellow (Discharge) Decoction
Formula Type: Stabilize the Womb
Actions: Strengthens the Spleen, dries dampness, clears heat, & stops vagina discharge.
Indications: Long-term, unremitting vaginal discharge that is yellowish-white in color, viscous, & fishy-smelling. Accompanying signs & symptoms incluse a pale-yelow complexion, dizziness, a sensation of heaviness in the head, reduced appetite, occasional loose stools, delayed menstruation with pale blood, a pale tongue with a thin, white coating, & a soft, slippery pulse that may be submerged.
Contraindications: If the presentation does not closely match that described above, this formula may be inappropriate. Nor should it be used in cases without damp-heat, or in those with severe damp-heat.
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Shan Yao / Dioscorea Opposita |
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi |
Dosage9-30g, 250g decoction daily |
Actions1. Tonifies & augments the Spleen & Stomach: for Spleen & Stomach deficiency with such symptoms as diarrhea, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, & lack of appetite.
2. Tonifies the Lung qi & augments the Lung yin: for chronic cough or wheezing due to Lung deficiency.
3. Tonifies the Kidneys & also stabilizes & binds: because this herb moistens & is neither hot nor cold, it benefits both the yin & the yang of the Lungs & Kidneys. It is therefore often used in treating wasting & thirsting disorder. It also binds the essence & treats spermatorrhea, frequent urination, & vaginal discharge. |
MeridiansKidney, Lung, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess, especially when there is fullness due to dampness, stagnation, or accumulation. May antagonize gan sui. |
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Qian Shi / Euryale Seeds, Foxnut |
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Taste: Sweet, Astringent • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Stabilize & Bind • Sub Category: |
Dosage9-15g, up to 30g severe cases |
Actions1. Strengthens the Spleen & stops diarrhea: for chronic diarrhea caused by a weakness of the transportive functions of the Spleen (internal accumulation of dampness). Especially useful in children.
2. Stabilizes the Kidneys & retains the essence: for patterns of Kidney qi deficiency with such signs as nocturnal emission, premature ejacualtion, spermatorrhea, & urinary frequency.
3. Expels dampness: for vaginal discharge due to either deficiency or damp-heat. |
MeridiansKidney, Spleen |
CautionsNone. |
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Huang Bai / Phellodendron Bark |
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Damp |
Dosage3-12g |
Actions1. Drains damp-heat, particularly from the lower-burner: for such problems as thick, yellow vaginal discharge, foul-smelling diarrhea, or dysenteric disorder. Also for damp-heat pouring downward or hot leg qi with such symptoms as red, swollen, & painful knees, legs, or feet. Also for damp-heat jaundice.
2. Drains Kidney fire: for ascending Kindey fire with signs of yin deficiency such as steaming bone disorder, night sweats, afternoon fevers & sweating, sometimes accompanied by nocturnal emissions & spermatorrhea.
3. Drains fire & relieves toxicity: for fire toxin generated sores & damp lesions of the skin. |
MeridiansKidney, Bladder |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of Spleen deficiency with or without diarrhea. Toxicity: There has been one case reported of a patient who developed a rash after ingestion of huang bai. When the patient was later skin-tested, there was a very strong local reaction. |
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Che Qian Zi / Plantago Seeds |
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Cold • Category: Drain Damp • Sub Category: |
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Promotes urination & clears heat: for any type of edema or painful urinary dysfunction due to damp-heat. Generally used for damp-heat pouring into the lower burner.
2. promotes urination to solidify the stool: for diarrhea associated with either damp-heat or damp-summerheat.
3. Clears the eyes: for eye problems associated with either Liver & Kidney deficiency (e.g., dry eyes or cataracts), or heat in the Liver channel (e.g., red, painful, swollen eyes & sensitivity to light) depending on which other herbs it is combined with.
4. Expels phlegm & stops cough: for Lung heat-induced cough with copious sputum. |
MeridiansBladder, Kidney, Liver, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated during pregnancy. Use with caution in cases of exhausted yang qi, or spermatorrhea due to Kidney yang deficiency or exhaustion from overwork. |
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Bai Guo / Ginkgo Nut |
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Taste: Sweet, Bitter, Astringent • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Stabilize & Bind • Sub Category: |
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Expels phlegm & stops wheezing: for wheezing with coughing & copious sputum.
2. Eliminates dampness & stops discharge: for vaginal discharge & turbid urine. This herb is used both in cases of deficiency & damp-heat.
3. Stabilizes the lower burner: for urinary frequency or incontinence, or spermatorrhea. |
MeridiansKidney, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess. Use with caution whenever there is viscous sputum that is difficult to expectorate. This herb is slightly toxic & should not be taken in large quantities or long-term. Symptoms of overdose include headache, fever, tremors, irritability, & dyspnea. The antidote is 60g of boiled raw gan cao or 30g of boiled ginko shells. To avoid this reaction, one may also include the hard shells & thin linings of the seeds when using the herb. Toxicity: Slightly toxic. Reports on the presence or absence of toxic effects of bai guo are equivocal. However, it does appear that overdoses can lead to skin disorders & in serious cases, some increase in shedding of the mucous membranes. |