Wan Dai Tang: A Chinese Herbal Medicine for Leukorrhea
- Hongji Medical
- Feb 4
- 5 min read
Chinese Herbal Medicine, Wan Dai Tang, or Complete Leukorrhea Decoction, is a renowned herbal formula from Fu Qingzhu’s Gynecology, authored by Fu Qingzhu, a celebrated physician of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.
Known for his expertise in gynecology, Fu Qingzhu crafted this prescription to treat leukorrhea—abnormal vaginal discharge in women.
The formula addresses the root causes of leukorrhea by soothing the liver, strengthening the spleen, and eliminating dampness, offering a holistic approach to women’s health.
What is Chinese herbal medicine Wan Dai Tang?
Wan Dai Tang combines a variety of herbs, each serving a specific role according to traditional Chinese medicine principles:
Main Ingredients (Monarch): Atractylodes macrocephala, Chinese YamAtractylodes strengthens the spleen, boosts qi, and dries dampness, while Chinese yam nourishes the spleen and replenishes vital energy, forming the core of the formula.
Supporting Ingredients (Minister): Ginseng, Atractylodes macrocephalaGinseng enhances vital energy to support spleen function, and additional Atractylodes reinforces dampness removal and spleen health.
Adjuvant Ingredients (Assistant): Bupleurum, Chenpi (Dried Orange Peel), SchizonepetaBupleurum and Schizonepeta soothe the liver and regulate qi, relieving emotional stress and stagnation. Chenpi supports qi flow, strengthens the spleen, and clears phlegm.
Harmonizing Ingredients (Envoy): White Peony Root, Plantago Seed, LicoriceWhite peony root nourishes blood, softens the liver, and eases pain. Plantago seed promotes urination to expel dampness and clears heat. Licorice harmonizes the formula, ensuring smooth interaction among the herbs.
Note: Some medical texts vary slightly in ingredient ratios or include substitutes like Pinellia ternata or Adison Belladonna. Preparation often involves frying herbs like Atractylodes, yam, or peony with wine for enhanced efficacy.
How It Works
Wan Dai Tang targets leukorrhea caused by three key factors: spleen deficiency, liver depression, and dampness accumulation.
Spleen Deficiency: The spleen transforms food into qi and blood and expels excess moisture. When weak, it fails to manage dampness, which accumulates and flows downward to the reproductive system, causing leukorrhea.
Liver Depression: The liver regulates qi flow. Stagnant liver qi disrupts spleen function, worsens dampness, and triggers emotional issues like anxiety or depression, creating a vicious cycle.
Dampness Accumulation: Excess dampness, a result of spleen and liver imbalances, flows to the lower body, manifesting as leukorrhea.
Typical symptoms include heavy, persistent vaginal discharge, often accompanied by fatigue, waist or abdominal pain, and weakness.
Wan Dai Tang strengthens the spleen to clear dampness, soothes the liver to restore qi flow, and stops leukorrhea, addressing both symptoms and underlying causes.
Benefits of Wan Dai Tang
Strengthens the Spleen and Clears Dampness: Atractylodes, yam, and ginseng boost spleen function and eliminate dampness, targeting leukorrhea caused by spleen weakness.
Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi: Bupleurum, Chenpi, and Schizonepeta relieve liver stagnation, improving emotional and physical balance.
Nourishes Blood and Eases Pain: White peony root softens the liver and alleviates discomfort from qi stagnation.
Promotes Urination and Heat Clearance: Plantago seed expels dampness through urine and reduces heat, supporting overall balance.
Modern Applications of Chinese herbal medicine Wan Dai Tang
In modern medicine, Wan Dai Tang is used for gynecological conditions like vaginitis, cervical erosion, and pelvic inflammatory disease, particularly when linked to excessive vaginal discharge.
Research suggests it may regulate the endocrine and reproductive systems, reducing inflammation and improving symptoms. It is especially effective for leukorrhea caused by spleen deficiency, liver stagnation, and dampness, offering a natural approach to chronic reproductive health issues.
Important Considerations
When using Wan Dai Tang, keep the following in mind:
Syndrome Differentiation: This formula is ideal for leukorrhea with clear, thin, white discharge, a pale tongue with white coating, and a soft, slow pulse. It’s not suitable for cases caused by damp-heat or liver fire, where discharge is thick, yellow, or foul-smelling.
Contraindications: Avoid use in inappropriate cases to prevent worsening symptoms.
Dosage Adjustments: A qualified practitioner should adjust dosages based on individual conditions to avoid overuse.
Side Effects: Generally safe, but monitor for any adverse reactions and consult a professional if needed.
Conclusion
Wan Dai Tang is a masterful blend of traditional Chinese medicine, designed to soothe the liver, strengthen the spleen, and clear dampness to treat leukorrhea. Its precise formulation and holistic approach make it a cornerstone of gynecological care, with applications in modern medicine for conditions like vaginitis and pelvic inflammation.
By addressing both symptoms and root causes, Wan Dai Tang offers effective relief when used with proper guidance, showcasing the timeless wisdom of Chinese herbal medicine.
Chinese Name | 完帶湯 |
Phonetic | Wan Dai Tang |
English Name | Discharge-Ceasing Decoction |
Classification | Tonic formulas |
Source | 《Fu Qing-zhu’s [Treatise on] Gynecology》Fu Qing Zhu Nu Ke《傅青主女科》 |
Combination | 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) |
Method | Prepare as a decoction. |
Action | Fortifies the spleen and soothes the liver, removes dampness, and arrests vaginal discharge. |
Indication | 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. |
Pathogenesis | 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. |
Application | 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. |
Remark | 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. |
