Dandelion & Patrinia Decoction Wash
Ingredients
- Fresh dandelion (pugongying) 250 g (dried ~30–60 g)
- Fresh patrinia (baijiangcao) 250 g (dried ~30–60 g)
Principle
Dandelion clears heat and resolves toxins; aqueous extracts may inhibit some dermatophytes. Patrinia is antibacterial and relieves itch. Combined for damp-heat with redness, erosion, and itch (syndrome differentiation required). **Published source context is tinea pedis—not a dedicated vulvar formula.**
Effects & uses
Documented for external care of tinea pedis and similar damp-heat skin problems. Both herbs appear in some vulvar-wash patents, usually with sophora, cnidium, phellodendron, etc. **This two-herb wash alone is a weak match for vulvar itching**—external vulvar adjunct only after clear diagnosis (syndrome differentiation required).
Method
- Wash herbs; simmer in 1.5 L water 10 minutes after boiling; pour into a basin.
How to use
- Soak the affected area at comfortable temperature (vulvar use—external vulva only, no vaginal douching). Re-warm and soak ~3 times daily; one batch may last 2 days; often 2–3 batches total.
Caution
Diagnose with gynecology/dermatology first. External use only. **Stop during menses or broken skin**. Use cautiously in pregnancy (some patrinia wash labels warn against vaginal irrigation in pregnancy). Not a substitute for exam or treatment.
Source
Pu Zhaohe (Chengdu University of TCM) via People’s Daily–Health Times (tinea pedis context). To be manually verified.