Wan Dai Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
完帶湯 · Wán Dài Tāng
A classical formula for white, thin leukorrhea from Spleen deficiency with damp and Liver constraint.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Qi-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Spleen Qi Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Tonify Spleen, dry damp, stop leukorrhea
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Strengthen Spleen, dry damp and secure leukorrhea
- Classical Source
- Ming-Qing classical formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for white, thin leukorrhea from Spleen deficiency with damp and Liver constraint.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for white thin leukorrhea from Spleen deficiency with damp, rather than damp-heat yellow discharge or Liver damp-heat excess.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
白朮Bai Zhu15g
White Atractylodes Rhizome- fortifies the spleen and eliminates dampness
山藥Shan Yao15g
Chinese Yam- supplements the spleen to consolidate fluids
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
人參Ren Shen9g
Ginseng Root- supplements the center and boosts qi
白芍Bai Shao9g
White Peony Root- softens the liver and rectifies the spleen in order to relieve the stress caused from the liver restricting the spleen (wood restricts the earth)
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
蒼朮Cang Zhu9g
Atractylodes Rhizome- dries dampness to strengthen the spleen
車前子Che Qian Zi9g
Plantago Seed- clears heat and drains dampness
陳皮Chen Pi6g
Tangerine Peel- moves qi to promote elimination of dampness and regulates center qi
荊芥Jing Jie3g
Schizonepeta / Japanese Catnip- releases wind from the exterior and vents rashes
柴胡Chai Hu3g
Bupleurum Root- smoothes the liver qi
Classical Composition
- 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)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Fortifies the spleen and soothes the liver
- removes dampness
- and arrests vaginal discharge.
Indications
- 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.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is pale with a white coating and the pulse is moderate or soggy and weak.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- 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.
Clinical presentation
- The pale tongue and soggy, weak pulse both indicate spleen deficiency and excessive dampness.
Treatment strategy
- The therapeutic principles are to supplement spleen qi, soothe the liver and resolve constraint, resolve dampness, and arrest excessive vaginal discharge.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Wan Dai Tang, Yi Huang Tang, Shen Ling Bai Zhu San and Long Dan Xie Gan Tang all address leukorrhea or Spleen damp. Yi Huang Tang clears damp-heat for yellow sticky discharge; Shen Ling Bai Zhu strengthens Spleen for damp diarrhea; Long Dan Xie Gan clears Liver damp-heat excess. Wan Dai Tang tonifies Spleen and dries damp for white, thin leukorrhea with mild Liver constraint.
Clinical 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.
Safety notes: It is inappropriate for yellow vaginal discharge caused by dampness-heat accumulation and long term liver constraint that has transformed into heat.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Wan Dai Tang?
Wan Dai Tang has the actions of strengthening the Spleen, soothing the Liver, transforming Dampness, and stopping vaginal discharge. It is the representative formula for thin white leukorrhea caused by Spleen deficiency with Dampness and mild Liver constraint.
Which modern diseases is Wan Dai Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Spleen deficiency with Damp turbidity and Liver constraint, including chronic or recurrent leukorrhea with thin white discharge, certain cases of vaginitis or cervicitis of deficiency-Damp type, and pelvic inflammatory presentations without Damp-Heat infection signs.
Is Wan Dai Tang suitable for improving profuse thin white vaginal discharge with fatigue?
For presentations of copious thin white or pale discharge resembling nasal mucus, little or no foul odor, pale complexion, fatigue, loose stools, a pale tongue with white coating, and a moderate or soggy-weak pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Spleen deficiency with Dampness and mild Liver constraint — TCM commonly applies Wan Dai Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace gynecological evaluation of infection, STI, or other medical causes of abnormal discharge.
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.