Written By Jun Heo(許浚, 1539~1615), Translated by Namil Kim, Wung Seok Cha et al., Published by Ministry of Health & Welfare (Korea)Buy vitamins and supplements.
17 Red-whitish Vaginal Discharge 赤白帶下 적백대하
➀ An illness transmitted from the spleen to the kidneys is called sanga (疝瘕), meaning disease of the genitalia. There is accumulated heat in the lower abdomen and painful, whitish urine. This is known by the name of parasite disease. An Annotation states that, “Whitish excretions mean that there is white liquid mixed with urine”. This is similar to white vaginal discharge or white turbidity.
➁ A disease of the conception vessel presents itself as vaginal discharge, aggregation or accumulation in women. An Annotation states that, “The name under the belt, or vaginal discharge comes from the fact that the conception vessel starts in the uterus, ascends passing the belt vessel, and penetrates the navel.” The belt vessel begins at LR13 under the hypochondrium and is shaped like a belt. The present condition is caused from accumulated dampness-heat that isn’t dispersed. The definition of won (寃) is to accumulate and curve, and thus means that the heat cannot be dispersed from curves and blockages.
➂ Red vaginal discharge is due to heat in the small intestine and white vaginal discharge is due to heat in the large intestine. By observing their origins, one can see that they are all caused from dampness-heat aggregated in the blood vessel causing the fluid-humor to overflow and become red-whitish vaginal discharge. There is pain below the navel, and vaginal discharge keeps flowing out of genitals.
➃ If a stagnated fever of the lower abdomen aggregates in the conception vessel, it ascends from the uterus into the belt vessel and exits through the parting between the small and large intestines. It is called vaginal discharge because white liquid drips with urine. This is the same as red-whitish vaginal discharge, but a difference is that it does not hurt.
➄ The reason that vaginal discharge is such an important illness in women is because it leads to infertility. Therefore, it is important to treat urgently. Bian Pian was passing through Handan (a geographic location in China) when he learned to regard women as valuable and he majored in gynecology.
➅ If a woman has vaginal discharge, a floating pulse, chills and an outflowing discharge, it is untreatable.
18 Treatment Methods for Vaginal Discharge 帶下治法 대하 치료법
➀ Both vaginal discharge and flooding are caused by accumulated phlegm in the stomach that has flown into the bladder and comes out through the small and large intestines. It needs lifting up. In severe cases, the emetic method has to be used to treat the upper parts, and a Syzygii Flos Relieve Stomach Decoction [see the chapter on Phlegm for the prescription] with Atractylodis Rhizoma (白朮), Atractylodis Rhizoma (白朮), Cimicifugae Rhizoma (升麻), and Bupleuri Radix (柴胡) or Atractylodes, Phellodendron, and Tree of Heaven Bark Pill should be used to treat the lower parts.
➁ What is the reason behind irregular menstruation, fever in the evenings, tightening of the lower abdomen, vexing heat in the palms, and dry lips? These are due to aggregated blood that wasn’t removed from the lower abdomen after a miscarriage. How can one be sure? One can know by the dry lips. A Warm Menses Decoction [prescription has been aforementioned] is usually used.
➂ Vaginal discharge is an illness caused by dampness-heat. The color red is related to blood and the color white to qi, and the primary treatment is to dry dampness.
➃ Red-whitish vaginal discharge can be treated with Terba Flava Usta Powder [prescription has been aforementioned], Toosendan Pill or White Peony Powder.
➄ White vaginal discharge in overweight people is due to dampness-phlegm for which an Atractylodes, Phellodendron and Euonymi Cortex Pill can be used and white vaginal discharge in thin people is due to heat for which a Scutellaria, Phellodendron and Ailanthi Radicis Cortex Pill can be used. A Tonify Channels and Stabilize the True Decoction, Ampelopsis Formula, Tonify Uterus Pill, Four Spirits Pill, or Clear White Powder can be widely used.
➅ Vaginal discharge that has continued for a long time is related to extremely deficient yang qi and tends to be white and slippery like mucus and accompanied by a fishy smell. The patient is frequently sad and joyless in many cases. A Wine-cooked Angelica Pill, Stabilize the True Pill, or Cinnamomum and Aconite Added Decoction should be used.
➆ White vaginal discharge in pregnant women can be treated with a Scutellaria, Atractylodes, and Tree of Heaven Bark Pill.
➇ Vaginal discharge in unmarried women can be treated with an Amber and Cinnabar Pill.
➈ Greasy food is to be avoided when there is vaginal discharge.
- Atractylodes, Phellodendron, and Tree of Heaven Bark Pill 蒼柏樗皮丸 창백저피환: It treats white vaginal discharge in overweight women. This works when due to dampness-phlegm. Use the same amounts of Atractylodis Rhizoma (白朮), Phellodendri Cortex (黃柏), Ailanthi Radicis Cortex (樗根白皮), Pumicis Lapis (海石), Pinelliae Tuber (半夏) (processed), Arisaematis Rhizoma (天南星) (roasted wrapped in damp paper), Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Cyperi Rhizoma (香附子), and Zingiberis Rhizoma (乾薑). Grind up these herbs and knead with vinegar-added paste to form pills as big as the seed of a royal foxglove tree. Take 50~70 pills at a time with boiled water. Replace Zingiberis Rhizoma (乾薑) with Talcum during summer.
- Toosendan Pill 苦練丸 고련환: It treats red-whitish vaginal discharge caused by heat in the small and large intestines. It has the most wonderful effect. Use the same amounts of Meliae Fructus (苦練子) (smashed and soaked in wine), Foeniculi Fructus (茴香) (stir-fried), and Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸). Grind up these herbs and knead with wine-added paste to form pills as big as the seed of a royal foxglove tree. Take 30~50 pills on an empty stomach with wine.
- White Peony Powder 白芍藥散 백작약산: It treats red-whitish vaginal discharge that hasn’t stopped for a long time. 2 nyang of Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥) and 5 don of Zingiberis Rhizoma (乾薑). Stir-fry these herbs until yellow, grind into powder, and take 2 don with thin rice gruel twice a day.
- Scutellaria, Phellodendron and Ailanthi Radicis Cortex Pill 芩柏樗皮丸 금백저피환: It treats vaginal discharge in thin women. This is due to heat. Use the same amounts of Scutellariae Radix (黃芩), Phellodendri Cortex (黃柏), Ailanthi Radicis Cortex (樗根白皮), Talcum, Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Pumicis Lapis (海石), Indigo Pulverata Levis (靑黛), Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸), and Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥). Grind up these herbs and knead with vinegar-added paste to form pills as big as the seed of a royal foxglove tree. Take 50~70 pills with boiled water.
- Tonify Channels and Stabilize the True Decoction 補經固眞湯 보경고진탕: It treats white vaginal discharge. The Rhymes for the Pulse states, “When blood flooding continues for a long time, it leads to white vaginal discharge and frequent flooding and spotting which leads to the drying of the bones.” If someone suffers from blood flooding for a long time, the blood reduces and causes yang collapse. Then the white, slippery substance flows down endlessly and eventually the blood sea dries up. 2 don each of Zingiberis Rhizoma (乾薑) (ground to a fine powder) and Ginseng Radix (人參), 1 don each of Pruni Nakaii Semen (郁李仁) (ground until watery), Bupleuri Radix (柴胡), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) (roasted), Citrus Unshius Pericarpium (陳皮) (without the white part), and Scutellariae Radix (黃芩) (raw), and 7 white rose mallows. Cut up these herbs and decoct all herbs except Scutellariae Radix (黃芩) in 2 cups of water until 1.7 cup remains. Then add Scutellariae Radix (黃芩) and boil down to one cup. Take when hot on an empty stomach and wash down with fine food.
- Ampelopsis Formula 白斂元 백렴원: It treats vaginal discharge of a pure white color caused from deficient and cold thoroughfare and conception vessels. 2 nyang of Cervi Parvum Cornu (鹿茸) (Hair removed with fire, steamed with vinegar, and dried by the fire.), and 1 nyang each of Ampelopsis Radix (白斂) and Cibotii Rhizoma (金毛狗脊). Grind up these herbs and knead with paste made with a batter of glutinous rice in vinegar-added water. Form pills as big as the seed of a royal foxglove tree and take 50~70 pills on an empty stomach with warm wine.
- Tonify Uterus Pill 補宮丸 보궁환: It treats white vaginal discharge and white ooze. Same amounts of Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum (鹿角霜), Poria Sclerotium (白茯苓), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (白芷), Atractylodis Rhizoma (白朮), Sepiae Os (烏賊魚骨), Cynanchi Radix (白薇), Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥), Ostreae Concha (牡蠣粉), and Dioscoreae Rhizoma (山藥). Grind up these herbs and knead with paste to form pills as big as the seed of a royal foxglove tree. Take 50 pills at a time with thin rice gruel.
- Four Spirits Pill 四神丸 사신환: It treats white vaginal discharge. 8 nyang of Cyperi Rhizoma (香附子) (2 don portions separately soaked in wine, vinegar, salt water, and children’s urine for 3 days and stir-fried.), 4 nyang of Atractylodis Rhizoma (白朮) (soaked in used water from washing rice), and 2 nyang each of Ostreae Concha (牡蠣粉) (stir-fried), Amomi Fructus (縮砂) (stir-fried), and Ailanthi Radicis Cortex (樗根白皮) (soaked in honey water and stir-fried). Cut up these herbs and knead with steamed rice cooked with glutinous millet rice. Form pills as big as the seed of a royal foxglove tree and take 50~70 pills on an empty stomach with wine.
- Clear White Powder 淸白散 청백산: It treats white vaginal discharge. 1 don each of Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸), Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥), Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (生地黃) (washed with wine), Phellodendri Cortex (黃柏) (soaked in salty water and stir-fried), Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae (貝母), Ailanthi Radicis Cortex (樗根白皮) (soaked in wine and stir-fried), and 5 pun each of Zingiberis Rhizoma (乾薑) (stir-fried black) and Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草). Cut up these herbs and decoct in water as 1 package with 3 pieces of Zingiberis Rhizoma (生薑).
- Wine-cooked Angelica Pill 酒煮當歸丸 주자당귀환: It treats the condition of endless white discharge, cold sensations below the waist like being in ice or snow, pale complexion with blue eyes, and phthisis. This is because the genuine qi of the three yangs is deficient from top to bottom. 1 nyang of Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸), 7 don each of Alpiniae Officinari Phizoma (高良薑) and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (附子) (roasted wrapped up in damp paper), and 5 don of Foeniculi Fructus (茴香). Cut up these herbs and boil down in 1.5 cups of wine until all the wine evaporates. Add 3 don each of salt (stir-fried yellow) and Scorpio (全蝎), 2 don of Bupleuri Radix (柴胡), 1 don each of Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) (roasted), Meliae Fructus (川練子), Syzygii Flos (丁香), Aucklandiae Radix (木香), and Cimicifugae Rhizoma (升麻), and 4 don of Corydalis Tuber (玄胡索). Grind these herbs together into fine powder and knead with wine-added paste. Form pills as big as the seed of a royal foxglove tree and take 50~70 pills on an empty stomach with water mixed weakly with vinegar.
- Stabilize the True Pill 固眞丸 고진환: It treats white vaginal discharge that has continued for a long time and cold pain around the navel area. 4 nyang of Zingiberis Rhizoma (乾薑), 2 nyang each of Fossilia Ossis Mastodii (龍骨) and Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸),1 nyang each of Bupleuri Radix (柴胡) and Halloysitum Album (白石脂), and 5 don each of Phellodendri Cortex (黃柏) and Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥). Grind up these herbs and knead with flour paste to form pills as big as the seed of a royal foxglove tree. Take 20~30 pills with boiled water and then wash down with a meal.
- Cinnamomum and Aconite Added Decoction 桂附湯 계부탕: It treats white vaginal discharge with a fishy smell and the tendency to feel sad frequently. This is a severe symptom of coldness. 3 don of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (附子) (roasted wrapped up in damp paper), 1 don of Cinnamomi Cortex Spissus (肉桂), and 5 pun each of Phellodendri Cortex (黃柏) and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (知母). Cut up these herbs and decoct in water as 1 package.
- Scutellaria, Atractylodes, and Ailanthi Radicis Cortex Pill 芩朮樗皮丸 금출저피환: It treats white vaginal discharge in pregnant women. 3 don each of Scutellariae Radix (黃芩) and Atractylodis Rhizoma (白朮), 2.5 don each of Ailanthi Radicis Cortex (樗根白皮), Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥), and Corni Fructus (山茱萸), 2 don each of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (白芷) and Coptidis Rhizoma (黃連), and 1 don of Phellodendri Cortex (黃柏). Grind up these herbs and knead with wine-added paste to form pills as big as the seed of a royal foxglove tree. Take 50 pills with boiled water. The vaginal discharge in pregnant women is entirely caused by dampness-heat.
- Amber and Cinnabar Pill 琥珀朱砂丸 호박주사환: It treats temporary palpitations of the heart an unmarried woman feels at her first menstruation or wind-coldness (風冷) causing amennorhea followed by vaginal discharge. 4 don each of Succinum (琥珀), Aucklandiae Radix (木香), Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸), and Myrrha (沒藥), 1 don of Olibanum (乳香), and 2.5 pun of Moschus (麝香) and Cinnabaris (朱砂). Grind up these herbs and knead with water to form foxnut-sized pills. Take one pill by grinding it in warm wine.
- Treat White Vaginal Discharge With Emetic and Purging Method 吐下療白帶 토법과 하법으로 백대하를 치료하는 법: A woman had such a severe case of white vaginal discharge that poured out like water and smelled horribly that no one could get close. They said, “This is due to turbid water. This has happened because the heat wasn’t able to rise up the greater yang meridian and protect the cold water. As water descends from top to bottom, one should first sever the foundation at the top.” They used Trichosanthes Guiding Powder (瓜蔕散) to throw up 2~3 doe of phlegm and gave the patient a Guide Out Water Pill (導水丸) the next day which caused her to lose dirty water through about 10 episodes of diarrhea. After repeating this 3 times, sweat emerged all over the body. On the following day the patient said, “The dirty things have already come out sufficiently.” They used cold medicines afterwards, and after half a year, the woman conceived a boy.
- A Prescription 一方 또 다른 처방: It is called an Angelica Root Pill (白芷丸) and it treats vaginal discharge. There is rotten pus in the intestines which dribbles out, severe fishy smell and finally cold pain around the navel. These symptoms are all due to purulent bloody pus and one must use this medicine to get rid of the pus. 2 nyang of roots of unifoliate red rose mallows, 1 nyang of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (白芷), and 5 don each of Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥) and Alumen (礬石) (roasted). Grind up these herbs and knead with yellow beeswax to form pills the size of royal foxglove tree seeds. Take 15 pills at a time with thin rice gruel on an empty stomach. Once all the pus is gone, tonify with another medicine. Use joints of Sappan Lignum (蘇木) when without the red rose mallow roots.
