By Eric Brand Wan Dai Tang (Discharge-Ceasing Decoction) is one of the most important formulas for the treatment of abnormal vaginal discharge. Wan Dai Tang came from one of the most important historical texts on gynecology, a Qing dynasty text called Fu Qing-Zhu’s Gynecology (Fu Qing Zhu Nu Ke). Fu Qing-Zhu's Gynecology, which has been translated in English by Bob Flaws, contains both theory and formulas and is a particularly good source for discussions on vaginal discharge. The heavy emphasis on the role of the liver, spleen, and kidney in modern Chinese medical gynecology has been influenced by Fu Qing Zhu's work, and he also made major contributions to the development of qi/blood and chong/ren theory.

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Vaginal discharge is closely connected to the spleen and liver. The spleen governs movement and transformation, while the liver governs coursing and discharging. In spleen vacuity, failure of movement causes the essence of water and grain to not be transformed. Damp-turbidity collects in the inner body and pours downward in the form of vaginal discharge. Also, if liver depression exploits the spleen, it can affect the spleen’s movement, causing damp-turbidity to pour downward, manifesting as vaginal discharge. The primary signs and symptoms in this pattern show spleen vacuity with exuberant dampness. The appropriate treatment here is to boost qi and soothe the liver while transforming dampness and checking vaginal discharge. Rén shēn (Ginseng Radix), bái zhú (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and shān yào (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) all supplement qi and fortify the spleen. Bái zhú also dries dampness, while shān yào also astringes essence. These medicinals are regarded as the sovereigns. Cāng zhú (Atractylodis Rhizoma) and chén pí (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) dry dampness and move the spleen; they aromatically move qi and assist the sovereign herbs by allowing for supplementation without stagnation. Additionally, moving qi helps dampness to be eliminated on its own. Chē qián zǐ (Plantaginis Semen) disinhibits dampness and provides an exit for water-damp via urination. Chē qián zǐ, cāng zhú, and chén pí are minister medicinals here. The ministers and sovereigns together check vaginal discharge without lodging dampness, and disinhibit dampness without damaging right. Bái sháo (Paeoniae Radix Alba) soothes the liver to support the spleen. Chái hú (Bupleuri Radix) raises yang so that damp qi does not pour downward. Jīng jiè (Schizonepetae Herba) conducts blood to return to the channels, and also dispels wind and overcomes dampness to check vaginal discharge. Its role in this formula has been debated from different perspectives, but it is generally agreed that it constrains to check vaginal discharge and also conducts blood to return to the channels; according to Fu Qing-Zhu, the original author of the formula, it is both containing and disinhibiting. These are all assistant medicinals. Gān cǎo (Glycyrrhizae Radix) harmonizes the other medicinals and is a courier. All the medicinals together simultaneously supplement and disperse. The spleen is fortified, yang is raised, and dampness is transformed, so this formula is very commonly used to treat spleen vacuity vaginal discharge.