【Source】

“Fu Qingzhu’s Gynecology”

 【Composition】

(Stir-fried) Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome), (Stir-fried) Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root) (equivalent to Ren Shen (Ginseng)), Bai Shao Yao (White Peony Root), Che Qian Zi (Plantain Seed), Cang Zhu (Black Atractylodes Rhizome), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepeta Spike) (equivalent to Jing Jie Tan (Charred Schizonepeta)), Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root)
(10)

 【Classification Groups】

<Blood Nourishing>: Shao Yao (Peony Root)

<Regulating Qi>: Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel)

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome), Gan Cao (Licorice Root)

<Tonifying Qi>: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root)

<Releasing the Exterior with Acrid Warmth>: Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root), Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepeta Spike)

<Aromatizing and Transforming Dampness>: Cang Zhu (Black Atractylodes Rhizome)

<Promoting Urination and Leaching Dampness>: Che Qian Zi (Plantain Seed)

【Formula Meaning】

“The Study of Formulas from Tang Dynasty”: Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome) and Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) tonify the Spleen and benefit Qi, serving as the primary herbs in the formula. Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root) and Cang Zhu (Black Atractylodes Rhizome) strengthen the Spleen and dry dampness, acting as secondary herbs. Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Jiao. Che Qian Zi (Plantain Seed) promotes urination and leaches dampness. Charred Jing Jie (Schizonepeta) elevates Yang Qi and stops leukorrhea. Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) soothes the Liver and resolves depression. Bai Shao (White Peony Root) softens the Liver and stops pain. These four herbs act as adjuvants. The combination of Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) and Bai Shao (White Peony Root) harmonizes the Liver and blood, disperses Liver Qi, and with Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) elevating Yang Qi, prevents the Liver from overacting on the Spleen and dampness from flowing downwards. Honey-fried Gan Cao (Licorice Root) harmonizes all the herbs, acting as the envoy herb.

 【Functions】

Tonifies the Middle Jiao and strengthens the Spleen, transforms dampness and stops leukorrhea, tonifies the Spleen and soothes the Liver, dries dampness and regulates Qi, benefits Qi.

 【Indications】

For women with excessive dampness and deficient fire, Liver depression and Qi weakness, resulting in Spleen damage and dampness sinking downwards, causing leukorrhea. Symptoms include vaginal discharge that is white or light yellow, resembling nasal mucus or saliva, difficult to control, odorless or foul-smelling, accompanied by fatigue, loose stools, dull grayish-white complexion, pale or normal tongue, white coating, and slow or weak pulse.

 【Applications】

Leukorrhea, amenorrhea, proteinuria due to nephritis. Chronic gastritis, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, etc.

 【Contraindications】

This formula is commonly used for Spleen deficiency with leukorrhea. It is not suitable for cases with Liver depression transforming into heat and damp-heat pouring downwards.

 【Mnemonics】

Two Zhu herbs, Shan Yao, Ren Shen carry Chen Pi and Chai Hu. Bai Sao drives the car to borrow charcoal (Bai Shao, Che Qian Zi, Jing Jie Tan).

 【Modifications】

(1) For severe leukorrhea, add calcined Cuttlefish Bone, Qian Shi (Euryale Seed), and calcined Mu Li (Oyster Shell) to enhance astringent properties and stop discharge. (2) For concurrent deficiency-cold, add Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) to warm the Middle Jiao and disperse cold. (3) For concurrent Spleen deficiency with lumbar pain, add Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark), Xu Duan (Dipsacus Root), and Gou Ji (Hounds-tongue Fern Rhizome) to tonify the Kidneys and strengthen bones. (4) For concurrent damp-heat, add Huang Bai (Amur Cork Bark), Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome), Yi Ren (Coix Seed), and Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis Diffusa) to clear heat and remove dampness. (5) If Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome), Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root), Cang Zhu (Black Atractylodes Rhizome), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Che Qian Zi (Plantain Seed), charred Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), and Gan Cao (Licorice Root) are removed and replaced with raw Long Gu (Dragon Bone), raw Mu Li (Oyster Shell), Hai Piao Xiao (Cuttlefish Bone), and Qian Cao (Rubia Cordifolia), it becomes Qing Dai Tang (Decoction for Clearing Discharge) from “Medical Expressions from West and East,” which nourishes Yin, astringes, stops stagnation, and transforms discharge, primarily treating persistent red and white vaginal discharge in women. (6) For concurrent hematuria, add Hu Po (Amber), Han Lian Cao (Eclipta Prostrata), and Xiao Ji (Cirsium Japonicum). (7) For concurrent dizziness, tinnitus, vexation in the five palms, tidal fever, night sweats, red tongue with little coating, change Ren Shen (Ginseng) to Tai Zi Shen (Pseudoginseng) and add Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pill) to tonify Kidney Yin deficiency. (8) For Kidney deficiency leukorrhea, characterized by clear, cold, abundant white discharge, lumbar pain, cold limbs, clear and long urination, pale tongue with white coating, and deep pulse, remove Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) and Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepeta Spike), and add Xu Duan (Dipsacus Root), Lu Jiao Shuang (Powdered Deer Antler), Fu Pen Zi (Raspberry), and Jin Ying Zi (Rosa Laevigata Fruit) to warm the Kidneys and stop discharge. (9) For damp-toxin leukorrhea, characterized by greenish-yellow discharge like pus, or mixed red and white discharge, or like rice water, with a fishy odor, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, red tongue with greasy yellow coating, and rapid pulse, with vaginal itching, remove Ren Shen (Ginseng) and Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome) and add Huang Bai (Amur Cork Bark), Bai Guo (Ginkgo Seed), Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion), Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower), She Chuang Zi (Cnidium Seed), Ku Shen (Sophora Root), and Qing Hao (Artemisia Annua) to clear heat and stop discharge.

 【Pharmacology】

Possesses anti-inflammatory, sedative, analgesic, and tonic effects.