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"Dan" refers to heat pathogen. Jaundice arises from the stagnation and郁结 (stagnation) of healthy Qi due to its failure to circulate freely. The yellow color resembles that of soy sauce. There are five types of symptoms, which must be analyzed in detail through pulse and symptom differentiation for accurate diagnosis.

The first type is jaundice caused by damp-heat. The urine is like that stained by gardenia, capable of dyeing clothes yellow; naturally, the yellowing of the face, eyes, and body follows. This condition results from the accumulation and stagnation of tea, alcohol, soups, and water, which transform into fierce fire, leading to this syndrome. It is necessary to distinguish between cases with more heat than dampness, more dampness than heat, and those without any damp-heat.

In cases where heat exceeds dampness, the pulse is wiry and rapid, and the yellow hue is bright. Yinchen Chai Ling Tang (Yinchen Coptis and Poria Decoction) is appropriate. If thirst and desire to drink water are present, Chaihu Shaoyao Tang (Bupleurum and Peony Decoction) added with Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) and Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) should be used. This promotes the Qi transformation of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), unblocks fluids, resolves thirst, and clears jaundice. The *Jingui Yaolue* states: "Jaundice accompanied by thirst is difficult to treat," fearing fluid exhaustion, but it is not initially incurable.

In cases where dampness exceeds heat, the pulse is deep, fine, and slow, and the yellow color is dull. Yichen Siling Tang (Yinchen Four-Poria Decoction) is suitable. If there is spontaneous diarrhea and wheezing/shortness of breath, Ginseng (Renshen) and Atractylodes (Baizhu) should be added. Cold-natured herbs must not be mistakenly used, as they damage Spleen Qi.

Regarding cases with neither dampness nor heat, there are no symptoms related to blood stasis, dietary excess, alcohol, or sweating, nor is there dark yellow urine. Only yellowing of the body, fatigue, and limb weakness are observed, indicating yellowing due to floating deficient Yang. Jiajian Bawu Tang (Modified Eight-Treasure Decoction) is indicated. Current physicians often indiscriminately use Wuling San (Five-Poria Powder) variants for this, which cannot cure the disease.

The second type is Grain Jaundice (Gu Dan). This arises from food stagnation obstructing the circulation of healthy Qi. Symptoms include chest and diaphragm fullness, limb weakness, and yellowing of the body and face. With a surging and slippery pulse, it belongs to the Yang aspect; Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) combined with digestive agents is appropriate. However, if fire-heat stagnation causes thick, dry, and difficult-to-swallow coating, physicians often rashly use drying agents like Cangzhu (Atractodis Rhizoma) and Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) to treat only the food stagnation while ignoring the heat. Where does the "jaundice" aspect go? No wonder treatment fails. More incompetent practitioners specifically use Zhen Sha (Magnetitum) and Lü Fan (Chalcanthite), failing to realize that although stagnation is removed, fluids are lost, violating the fundamental principle of treating jaundice. Xuejian Jianpi Tang (Blood-Nourishing and Spleen-Strengthening Decoction) yields significant results. If the pulse is deep, fine, and slow, it belongs to the Yin aspect. The patient has cold, blue limbs and loose stools. Xiangsha Lizhong Tang (Amomum and Cardamom Lizhong Decoction) with Pao Jiang (Prepared Ginger) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) is suitable. One must not simply apply hot treatments without differentiation. However, Grain Jaundice often accompanies edema. Early stages are manageable, but prolonged illness leads to Qi deficiency and danger.

The third type is Female Labor Jaundice (Nü Lao Dan). The body is yellow with a black forehead. Symptoms include umbilical fullness, black stools, and alternating chills and fever at dusk, all caused by blood stasis. In men, excessive sexual activity prevents blood from transforming into essence, causing stagnation in the lower abdomen. In women, intercourse during menstruation causes blood stagnation. With a wiry and hollow pulse, Jiajian Chaiwu Tang (Modified Bupleurum and Blood-Decoction) is appropriate. If the pulse is fine, slow, and weak, or choppy and fine, Yuanqi (Original Qi) is severely deficient. Although blood stasis exists, purgative/digestive methods are contraindicated. Shiquan Buzhong Tang (Ten Complete Middle-Supporting Decoction) should be used to strongly support Yuanqi; when healthy Qi is strong, pathogenic factors recede. Using purgatives would hasten death. The blood stasis of Nü Lao Dan is located in the lower abdomen. If the entire abdomen is distended with blood dispersing into drum-like swelling (Gu Zhang), it is incurable. Zhang Zhongjing stated: "Abdominal fullness resembling water is incurable." These words are profound.

The fourth type is Wine Jaundice (Jiu Dan). Alcohol is the most potent source of damp-heat. Jaundice caused by drinking results in urine like gardenia juice, requiring Yinchen Chai Ling Tang. If there is mental restlessness (Ao Nu), fever, inability to eat, and frequent vomiting, damp-heat accumulates in the Upper Jiao, likely with old phlegm in the Stomach. Qingre Huatan Tang (Clear-Heat and Resolve-Phlegm Decoction) is indicated. If the head, eyes, and face are red, the body is hot but feet are cold, and the pulse is strong at the Cun position and weak at the Chi position, indicating Yang Qi failing to descend, Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) should be added to the previous formula to purge. If stools are black and the complexion is yellow-black, blood stasis is present. Heavy drinkers often prefer hot drinks, damaging blood vessels and causing blood accumulation in the stomach, latent and unmanifested. Jiajian Chaiwu Tang should be used for gradual regulation. The blackness of Wine Jaundice differs slightly from that of Nü Lao Dan. Nü Lao Dan originates from Kidney Qi, while Wine Jaundice blackness is the color of corrupted blood. Chaiwu Tang has half-tonifying and half-purging effects. Using harsh Dahuang would further corrupt Ying Blood. Physicians must understand this.

The fifth type is Yellow Sweat (Huang Han). Sweat resembles gardenia juice, staining clothes yellow. It often occurs after bathing while sweating, where water penetrates the skin, obstructing the body, causing Ying and Wei Qi stagnation and yellowing. It can also result from internal injury from tea/alcohol, with damp-heat moving to the skin and hair follicles. Initially, with fever, aversion to cold, headache, and body pain, Chai Chen Tang (Bupleurum and Pinellia Decoction) added with Suzye (Perillae Folium), Gegen (Puerariae Radix), and Sangbaipi (Morus Alba Cortex) can be used to mildly disperse. After prolonged duration with fluid deficiency, Chaihu Shaoyao Tang is suitable. The pulse is typically surging and forceless, or fine, slow, and irregular. Tonics must not be mistakenly used, as persistent fever will lead to malignant sores and abscesses.

Yinchen Chai Ling Tang (Yinchen Coptis and Poria Decoction):
Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Zhuling (Polypori Umbellati), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Chifu (Poria cum Rhus), Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra).
When dampness is slight and heat is abundant, draining via urination is appropriate to expel heat through the bladder. Adding Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) aids heat-clearing. When damp steams and heat stagnates, Lung Qi must be dried/aerated first, hence the obstruction of urination. Yinchen is pungent and cool, clearing Lung heat. Once Lung Metal is moistened, its Qi descends clearly and turbidly, immediately unblocking bladder heat. Urine flows freely, and jaundice recedes. (Ancient saying: Treating dampness without promoting urination is incorrect; caution is required.)

Jiajian Bawu Tang (Modified Eight-Treasure Decoction):
Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Bai Fu (Poria), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Yiren (Coicis Semen), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium).

Xuejian Jianpi Tang (Blood-Nourishing and Spleen-Strengthening Decoction):
Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Nongpu (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Chifu (Poria cum Rhus), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium).

Xiangsha Lizhong Tang (Amomum and Cardamom Lizhong Decoction): See Food Chapter.

Jiajian Chaiwu Tang (Modified Bupleurum and Blood-Decoction):
Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Yanhu (Corydalis Rhizoma), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma).

Qingre Huatan Tang (Clear-Heat and Resolve-Phlegm Decoction):
Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Bai Fu (Poria), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra).

Chaihu Shaoyao Tang (Bupleurum and Peony Decoction):
Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma).