Yi Huang Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
易黃湯 · Yì Huáng Tāng
A classical formula for yellow, sticky leukorrhea from Spleen deficiency with damp-heat.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Dampness-Draining Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Damp-Heat
- Primary Function
- Tonify Spleen, dry damp, clear heat, stop leukorrhea
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Tonify Spleen, clear lower-jiao damp-heat, and secure leukorrhea
- Classical Source
- Ming-Qing classical formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for yellow, sticky leukorrhea from Spleen deficiency with damp-heat.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for yellow sticky leukorrhea from Spleen deficiency with damp-heat, rather than pure Spleen-damp white 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
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
Classical Composition
- Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shan Yao dry-fried) 1 liang (30g)
- Euryales Semen (Qian Shi dry-fried) 1 liang (30g)
- Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (Huang Bai fried by salt-water) 2 qian (6g)
- Plantaginis Semen (Che Qian Zi wine-fried) 1 qian (3g)
- Ginkgo Semen (Bai Guo smashed) 10 pieces (12g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Consolidates the kidney and arrests vaginal discharge
- clears heat and dispels dampness.
Indications
- Yi Huang Tang is indicated for patients with abnormal vaginal discharge due to damp-heat accumulation.
- Symptoms include excessive yellow, sticky, thick leucorrhea.
- The yellow discoloration may have the appearance of dark tea in severe cases.
Tongue & pulseGenerally, the tongue body is red and the coating is greasy, yellow.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by kidney deficiency and damp-heat accumulation.
- The kidney communicates with the ren mai.
- Therefore, kidney deficiency and heat in the kidney may be a cause of its pathology.
- Qi fails to promote fluid transformation and the fluids then form into dampness.
- The treatment should consolidate the kidney and arrest vaginal discharge, clear heat, and dispel dampness.
Clinical presentation
- Pathological dampness sinks downwards, travelling along the channels into the lower jiao and manifests as abnormal yellow, stinky, sticky vaginal discharge.
- The red tongue body with a yellow, greasy tongue coating indicates interior damp-heat.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to tonify Spleen, clear lower-jiao damp-heat, and secure leukorrhea.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Yi Huang Tang, Wan Dai Tang, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang and Shen Ling Bai Zhu San all address leukorrhea. Wan Dai Tang tonifies Spleen for white, thin discharge; Long Dan Xie Gan clears Liver damp-heat for yellow foul discharge with heat signs; Shen Ling Bai Zhu strengthens Spleen for damp diarrhea. Yi Huang Tang tonifies Spleen while clearing lower-jiao damp-heat for yellow, sticky leukorrhea.
Clinical Differentiation
- Yi Huang Tang is a representative formula for abnormal vaginal discharge caused by damp-heat accumulation and kidney deficiency.
- This clinical pattern is marked by yellow stinky vaginal discharge, yellow greasy tongue coating.
Safety notes: This formula is not appropriate for damp-heat leukorrhea with burning and foul yellow discharge that needs draining rather than securing.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Yi Huang Tang?
Yi Huang Tang has the actions of consolidating the Kidney and Spleen, stopping vaginal discharge, clearing Heat, and eliminating Dampness. It simultaneously strengthens the underlying deficiency and clears the Damp-Heat that produces yellow, thick, foul-smelling leukorrhea.
Which modern diseases is Yi Huang Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Kidney-Spleen deficiency with Damp-Heat, including yellow leukorrhea associated with cervicitis, vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, or recurrent vaginal infections when the discharge is yellow, sticky, and foul-smelling with underlying deficiency signs.
Is Yi Huang Tang suitable for improving yellow, thick, foul-smelling vaginal discharge?
For presentations of profuse yellow, sticky, foul-smelling vaginal discharge resembling strong tea, often with lower-back ache, possible mild itching or discomfort, a red tongue with yellow greasy coating, and a soft or rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Kidney (and Spleen) deficiency with Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner — TCM commonly applies Yi Huang Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard gynecological evaluation and treatment of infection or inflammation.
Related Products
Nong's Yi Huang Tang (Change the Yellow Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Yi Huang Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Yellow Leukorrhea, Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San: Classic TCM Formula for Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness & Chronic Diarrhea
Wan Dai Tang: Classic TCM Formula for White Leukorrhea, Spleen Deficiency & Dampness
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat, Irritability & Hypochondriac Pain
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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.