妇人有终年累月下流白物,如涕如唾,不能禁止,甚则臭秽,所谓白带也。夫带是湿病,
以带名者,因妇人有带脉不能约束,故以带名之。带脉通于任、督之脉,任、督病而带脉亦
病。带脉者,所以束带胎之系也。妇人无此,则难以系胎,故带脉弱而胎易堕,若损伤带脉,
则胎必不牢。然带脉损伤,非独跌、闪、挫、气也,行房过于纵送,饮酒出于颠狂,虽无疼
痛之苦,其中暗耗,则白物自下。故带病尼师、寡妇、出嫁之女多,处子在阁,未破瓜之女
少也。然室女天禀虚弱者,亦有此病。况加之脾气之虚,肝气之郁,湿气之侵,火气之逼,安
得不患此症哉。夫湿盛火衰,肝郁脾虚,则脾土受伤,湿土之气下陷,是以脾精不守,不
能化为荣血,变
成白滑之物,由阴门直下,欲自禁止而不可得也。治法宜大补脾胃之气,少佐之舒郁之
味,使风水不闭塞于地中,则地气自升腾于天上,脾气健而湿气自消。方用完带汤∶
白术(一两) 苍术(三钱) 甘草(一钱) 车前子(三钱) 山药(一两) 陈皮(
五分) 人参(二钱) 白芍(五钱) 柴胡(六分) 荆芥(五分) 半夏(一钱)
水煎服。二剂轻,四剂止,六剂全愈。
此方脾、胃、肝三经同治之法。寓补于升,寄消于散。开提肝木之气,则肝血不燥,何
致下克于脾土;补益脾土之元,则脾经不湿,何难分消夫水气。至于补脾而兼补胃者,脾胃
表里也,脾非胃气之强,则脾不能旺,补胃正所以补脾耳。
此症用束带汤亦效。
鸡冠花(一两)(鲜鸡冠花三两) 白术(一两)水煎,二剂即愈。
妇人有带下色红者,似血非血,所谓赤带也。赤带亦湿病,火热之故也。惟是带脉系于
腰脐之间,近于至阴之地,不宜有火。不知带脉不通肾而通肝,妇人忧思以伤脾,又加郁怒
以伤肝,于是肝火内炽,下克脾土。而脾土不能运化湿热之气,
蕴结于带脉之间,肝火焚烧,肝血不藏,亦渗入于带脉之内,带脉因脾气之伤,约束无力,
湿热之气随气下陷,同血俱下。观其形象,似血非血,其实血与湿俱不能两分之也。世人
以赤带属之心火者,误耳。治法清肝中之火,扶其脾气,则赤淋庶几少愈乎。方用清肝止
淋汤∶
芍药(一两) 当归(一两) 阿胶(三钱) 生地(五钱) 丹皮(三钱) 黄柏(
一钱) 牛膝(二钱) 黑豆(一两) 香附(一钱) 红枣(十枚)水煎服。一剂少止,
二剂又少止,四剂全止,十剂不再发。
此方但去补肝之血,全不利脾之湿者,以赤带之病,火重而湿轻也。夫火之所以旺者,
由于血之衰也。补血足以制火矣。且水与血合成赤带,竟不能辨其是湿而非湿,则湿尽化为
血矣,所以治血可也,何必利湿哉。此方纯治血,少加清火之味,故奏功独奇。倘一利其
湿,反引火下行,转难遽效耳。或问先前言助其脾土,今但补肝木之血,绝不补脾土之气,
何也?不知用芍药以平肝,则肝气得舒,自不去克脾土,是补肝正所以扶脾,何必加人参、
白术之多事故。
此症用黄白牛车散亦效。
牛膝(一两) 车前子(三钱) 黄柏(二钱) 白芍(一两)水煎服。四剂愈。
妇人有带下而色黑者,甚则下如墨汁,其气最腥,人以下寒之极也,谁知是火热之
极乎。夫火色宜红,何成黑色?不知火极似水,乃假象也。其症必然腹痛,小便时必如刀
触,阴门必发肿,面色必红。久则黄瘦,饮食兼人,口必大渴,饮水少觉宽快。此命门之
火,与膀胱、三焦之火合,胃火又旺,四火同煎,安得不熬干成炭色耶。此等之症,不致
发狂者,以肾水与肺金之气涓涓不绝,足以润心而济胃耳。所以饮水下胃,但成带下之症,
火结于下,而不炎于上也。治法惟以泻火为主,火退而湿热自舒也。方用利火汤∶
大黄(三钱) 白术(五钱) 茯苓(三钱) 车前子(三钱) 王不留行(三钱)
刘寄奴(三钱) 黄连(三钱) 炒栀子(三钱) 石膏(五钱) 知母(二钱)水煎服。
一剂小便大利,二剂黑带变为白带矣,三剂白带亦少减去一半,再服三剂全愈。
此方未免过于迅利,殊不知火盛之时,用不得根据违之法。救焚而少为迂缓,则火势延
烧,不尽不止。今用黄连、石膏、知母、栀子一派寒凉泻火之味,入于大黄之中,则迅速
扫除,又得王不留行与寄奴之味,利湿甚急,俱无停住之机。佐白术、
车前子、茯苓,成既济之功也。
此症用清带汤亦效。
炒栀子(三钱) 黄柏(三钱) 甘草(一钱) 白芍(一两) 车前子(二钱)
王不留行(二钱) 麦冬(一两) 玄参(二两)水煎服。四剂愈。
妇人有带下色黄者,宛如黄茶浓汁,其气带腥,人以为脾经之湿热,谁知是任脉之湿
热乎。夫任脉本不能容水,如何湿气入于中,而化为黄带乎。不知带脉通于任脉,任脉直
上,走于唇齿,唇齿之间,原有不断之泉,下灌于任脉,使任脉无热,则口中津液尽化为
精,以入于肾中矣。惟有热以存于下焦之间,则津不化精而化湿。夫水色白,火色红,今湿
与热合,欲变红而不能,欲返白而不得,煎敖成汁,因变为黄色矣。黄乃土之色也,真水真
火合而成丹,邪水邪火合而成带。世人以黄带为脾之湿热,单去治脾,此黄带之所以难痊也。
方用退黄汤治之。
山药(一两) 芡实(一两) 黄柏(二钱) 车前子(一钱) 白果(一枚)水煎
服。连用四剂,无不全愈。
凡有白带者,俱可以此方治之,而治黄带,尤奏奇功。盖山药、芡实专补任脉之虚,又
能利水,加之白果引入任脉之中,更为便捷,所以奏功甚速。至所用黄柏,
清肾中之火,肾与任脉相通,同群共济,解肾中之火,即解任脉之热矣。
此症亦可用解带利湿汤治之。
白果 茯苓(各一两) 泽泻 车前子 炒栀子(各二钱)水煎服。
妇人有带下色青者,甚则色绿,如绿豆汁,稠粘不断,其气亦腥,此肝经之湿热也。夫
肝属木,木之色属青,带下流如绿豆之汁,明是肝木之病,但肝最喜水,湿亦水也,何以竟
成青带之症?不知水虽为肝之所喜,热实为肝之所恶,以所恶者合之所喜,必有违其性者
矣。肝之性既违,则肝之气必逆,气欲上升,湿欲下降,两相牵掣,必停住于中焦之间,于
是走于带脉,从阴门而出。其色青绿者,正乘肝木之气也。逆轻者,热必轻,而色青;逆重
者,热必重,而色绿。似乎治青者易,治绿者难。然而解其肝中之火,利其膀胱之水,则带
病自愈矣。方用逍遥散加减治之。
茯苓(五钱) 白术(五钱) 甘草(五分) 陈皮(一钱) 柴胡(一钱) 白芍(
五钱) 茵陈(三钱) 炒栀子(三钱)水煎服。二剂色淡,四剂青绿之带绝,不必多剂也。
夫逍遥散解郁之方也,何取之以治青带,如是之神耶。盖肝经湿热留之者,因肝气之
逆也。逍遥散最解肝之逆气,逆气平则湿热难留,况益之菌陈之利湿,栀子清热,肝气清
凉,青绿之带何自来乎?此方之所以奇而可用也。倘仅治青带,惟以利湿清热为事,置肝气
于不问,亦安有止带之日哉。
此症用利肝解湿汤亦效。
白芍(二两) 茯苓(一两) 干鸡冠花(五钱) 炒栀子(三钱)水煎服。
Women may experience a continuous discharge of white matter throughout the year, resembling mucus or saliva, which cannot be controlled, and in severe cases, emits a foul odor; this is known as *Bai Dai* (White Leukorrhea). The leukorrhea disease belongs to dampness pathology. It is named "Dai" (Girdle Vessel) because women have a weakness in the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel), failing to constrain fluids, hence the name. The Dai Mai connects with the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governor Vessel); when the Ren and Du vessels are diseased, the Dai Mai is also affected. The Dai Mai serves as the binding system for the fetus. Without this vessel, it is difficult to sustain pregnancy; thus, if the Dai Mai is weak, miscarriage is prone to occur, and if the Dai Mai is damaged, the fetus will certainly not be secure. However, damage to the Dai Mai is not solely due to falls, sprains, or contusions. Excessive sexual indulgence or drunken revelry, although causing no immediate pain, secretly depletes internal essence, leading to the spontaneous flow of white matter. Therefore, nuns, widows, and married women suffer from leukorrhea more frequently, while virgins living secluded lives are less affected. Nevertheless, virgin girls with congenital deficiency may also suffer from this condition. Furthermore, combined with Spleen Qi deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation, invasion of dampness, and pressure from fire, how could one not contract this syndrome? When dampness is excessive and fire is deficient, with Liver stagnation and Spleen deficiency, the Spleen Earth is injured. The Qi of damp-earth sinks downward, causing Spleen essence to fail to hold fast. Unable to transform into Ying Blood (Nutritive Blood), it becomes a white, slippery substance that flows directly from the Yin Gate (vagina), impossible to stop voluntarily. The treatment principle should be to greatly tonify Spleen and Stomach Qi, with a small addition of herbs that soothe stagnation, so that wind-water Qi does not block the earth, allowing earth Qi to naturally rise to heaven. When Spleen Qi is robust, dampness dissipates on its own. Use Wan Dai Tang (Complete Belt Decoction): Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 1 liang), Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 3 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian), Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen, 3 qian), Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 1 liang), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 5 fen), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix, 2 qian), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 5 qian), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 6 fen), Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Herba, 5 fen), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Symptoms lighten after two doses, stop after four doses, and resolve completely after six doses.
This formula treats the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver meridians simultaneously. It embeds tonification within lifting and relies on dispersal for elimination. By opening the Qi of Liver Wood, Liver Blood will not become dry, preventing it from counter-attacking Spleen Earth. By tonifying the primal Qi of Spleen Earth, the Spleen Meridian will not be damp, making it easy to differentiate and eliminate water Qi. As for tonifying the Spleen while also tonifying the Stomach, it is because they are exterior-interior pairs; without strong Stomach Qi, the Spleen cannot flourish. Tonifying the Stomach is precisely to tonify the Spleen.
For this syndrome, Shu Dai Tang (Bind Belt Decoction) is also effective. Ji Guan Hua (Celosiae Cristatae Flos, 1 liang; fresh herb 3 liang) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 1 liang). Decoct in water and take orally. Recovery occurs in two doses.
In women, leukorrhea may appear red, resembling blood but not being blood; this is called *Chi Dai* (Red Leukorrhea). Chi Dai is also a dampness disease caused by heat-fire. The Dai Mai is located between the waist and umbilicus, near the most Yin region, where fire should not exist. However, the Dai Mai connects to the Liver rather than the Kidney. Worry and thought injure the Spleen, and depression/anger injures the Liver, causing Liver Fire to blaze internally and counter-attack Spleen Earth. The Spleen Earth fails to transport and transform damp-heat Qi, which accumulates between the Dai Mai. Liver Fire burns, causing Liver Blood to fail to store itself, leaking into the Dai Mai. Due to Spleen Qi injury, the Dai Mai lacks constraining power. Damp-heat Qi sinks with the Qi flow, descending together with blood. Observing its appearance, it resembles blood but is not blood; in reality, blood and dampness are inseparable. People mistakenly attribute Chi Dai to Heart Fire. The treatment principle is to clear Liver Fire and support Spleen Qi, so that red leukorrhea may improve. Use Qing Gan Zhi Lin Tang (Clear Liver and Stop Dribbling Decoction): Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix, 1 liang), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 1 liang), E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini, 3 qian), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix, 5 qian), Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex, 3 qian), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex, 1 qian), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, 2 qian), Hei Dou (Sojae Semen Nigrum, 1 liang), Xiang Fu (Cyperī Rhizoma, 1 qian), Hong Zao (Jujubae Fructus, 10 pieces). Decoct in water and take orally. Slight cessation after one dose, further cessation after two doses, complete cessation after four doses, no recurrence after ten doses.
This formula only tonifies Liver Blood and does not drain Spleen dampness because in Chi Dai, fire is heavy and dampness is light. Fire flares up due to Blood deficiency. Tonifying Blood suffices to control Fire. Moreover, since water and blood combine to form Chi Dai, distinguishing whether it is damp or not is futile; dampness has transformed into blood. Thus, treating blood is sufficient; why drain dampness? This formula purely treats blood with a slight addition of fire-clearing herbs, achieving unique efficacy. If one were to drain dampness, it would instead draw fire downward, making rapid recovery difficult. One might ask: previously, we said to assist Spleen Earth, but now we only tonify Liver Wood Blood, never tonifying Spleen Earth Qi. Why? Using Shao Yao to calm the Liver allows Liver Qi to relax, naturally ceasing its attack on Spleen Earth. Tonifying the Liver is precisely supporting the Spleen; why add excessive Ren Shen and Bai Zhu?
For this syndrome, Huang Bai Niu Che San (Yellow and White Achyrantha and Plantago Powder) is also effective. Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, 1 liang), Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen, 3 qian), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex, 2 qian), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 1 liang). Decoct in water and take orally. Recovery in four doses.
In women, leukorrhea may appear black, flowing like ink, with the strongest fishy odor. People assume it is extreme cold, but it is actually extreme heat. Fire color should be red; why black? Extreme fire resembles water, which is an illusion. Symptoms must include abdominal pain, knife-like pain during urination, swelling of the Yin Gate, and red face. Prolonged cases lead to emaciation despite increased appetite, intense thirst, and relief after drinking water. This is Ming Men Fire (Gate of Life Fire) combining with Bladder and San Jiao (Triple Burner) fire, plus flourishing Stomach fire. Four fires roasting together inevitably boil fluids into charcoal color. Such cases do not lead to madness because Kidney Water and Lung Metal Qi flow continuously, moistening the Heart and assisting the Stomach. Thus, water entering the stomach forms leukorrhea; fire knots below but does not flare above. The treatment principle is primarily purging fire; once fire recedes, damp-heat relaxes. Use Li Huo Tang (Drain Fire Decoction): Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 3 qian), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 5 qian), Fu Ling (Poria, 3 qian), Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen, 3 qian), Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccariae Semen, 3 qian), Liu Ji Nu (Artemisiae Annuae Herba, 3 qian), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma, 3 qian), Chao Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus, fried, 3 qian), Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum, 5 qian), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, 2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Urine flows heavily after one dose; black discharge turns white after two doses; white discharge reduces by half after three doses; full recovery after another three doses.
This formula is somewhat too rapid. However, when fire is rampant, slow methods are ineffective. Saving from fire requires urgency; hesitation allows fire to spread until extinguished. Using Huang Lian, Shi Gao, Zhi Mu, and Zhi Zi—a batch of cold-cooling fire-purging herbs—combined with Da Huang sweeps quickly. Wang Bu Liu Xing and Liu Ji Nu drain dampness urgently, leaving no room for stagnation. Assisted by Bai Zhu, Che Qian Zi, and Fu Ling, they achieve the balance of Water and Fire (Ji Ji).
For this syndrome, Qing Dai Tang (Clear Belt Decoction) is also effective. Chao Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus, fried, 3 qian), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex, 3 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 1 liang), Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen, 2 qian), Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccariae Semen, 2 qian), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber, 1 liang), Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix, 2 liang). Decoct in water and take orally. Recovery in four doses.
In women, leukorrhea may appear yellow, resembling strong tea juice, with a fishy odor. People consider it Spleen Meridian damp-heat, but it is actually Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) damp-heat. The Ren Mai normally cannot hold water; how does dampness enter and turn yellow? The Dai Mai connects to the Ren Mai. The Ren Mai goes straight up to the lips and teeth, where constant saliva exists. This saliva irrigates the Ren Mai downwards. If the Ren Mai has no heat, saliva transforms into essence and enters the Kidneys. Only when heat remains in the Lower Jiao does saliva fail to transform into essence and instead transform into dampness. Water color is white, fire color is red. When dampness combines with heat, it cannot turn red nor return to white. Roasted into juice, it becomes yellow. Yellow is the color of Earth. True Water and True Fire combine to form Elixir; Evil Water and Evil Fire combine to form Leukorrhea. People treat Yellow Leukorrhea as Spleen damp-heat, treating only the Spleen, which is why it is hard to cure. Use Tui Huang Tang (Retreat Yellow Decoction): Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 1 liang), Qian Shi (Myristicae Arillus, 1 liang), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex, 2 qian), Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen, 1 qian), Bai Guo (Ginkgo Semen, 1 piece). Decoct in water and take orally. Four consecutive doses ensure complete recovery.
Any case of White Leukorrhea can be treated with this formula, especially effective for Yellow Leukorrhea. Shan Yao and Qian Shi specifically tonify Ren Mai deficiency and promote diuresis. Bai Guo guides the action into the Ren Mai, accelerating efficacy. Huang Bo clears Kidney Fire. Since the Kidney connects to the Ren Mai, clearing Kidney Fire resolves Ren Mai heat.
For this syndrome, Jie Dai Li Shi Tang (Resolve Belt and Drain Dampness Decoction) is also usable. Bai Guo (Ginkgo Semen), Fu Ling (Poria, each 1 liang), Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen), Chao Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus, fried, each 2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
In women, leukorrhea may appear blue/green, resembling mung bean juice, thick and sticky, with a fishy odor. This is Liver Meridian damp-heat. Liver belongs to Wood, and Wood's color is green. Discharge resembling mung bean juice clearly indicates a Liver Wood disorder. However, Liver loves Water, and dampness is water. Why does it become Green Leukorrhea? Although Liver likes Water, it hates Heat. Combining what it hates with what it likes violates its nature. When Liver nature is violated, Liver Qi rebels. Qi desires to rise, dampness desires to sink. They pull against each other, stopping in the Middle Jiao, then moving to the Dai Mai and exiting via the Yin Gate. The blue-green color follows Liver Wood Qi. Mild rebellion means mild heat and blue color; severe rebellion means severe heat and green color. Treating blue seems easier than green. However, clearing Liver Fire and draining Bladder Water cures the disease spontaneously. Use Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) modified: Fu Ling (Poria, 5 qian), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 5 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 5 fen), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 1 qian), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 1 qian), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 5 qian), Yin Chen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba, 3 qian), Chao Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus, fried, 3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Color fades after two doses; blue-green discharge stops after four doses; no need for more doses.
Xiao Yao San is a formula for resolving stagnation. Why is it so miraculous for Green Leukorrhea? Damp-heat retention in the Liver Meridian is due to rebellious Liver Qi. Xiao Yao San best resolves Liver rebellion. Once rebellion is calmed, damp-heat cannot remain. Added with Yin Chen to drain dampness and Zhi Zi to clear heat, the Liver Qi becomes cool. How can green discharge arise? This is why the formula is unique and effective. If one only treats Green Leukorrhea by draining dampness and clearing heat, ignoring Liver Qi, when will the discharge stop?
For this syndrome, Li Gan Jie Shi Tang (Drain Liver and Resolve Dampness Decoction) is also effective. Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 2 liang), Fu Ling (Poria, 1 liang), Gan Ji Guan Hua (Celosiae Cristatae Flos, dried, 5 qian), Chao Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus, fried, 3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.