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Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba), with a bitter and acrid taste, and a slightly cold nature, belongs to Yin containing slight Yang, and is non-toxic. It enters the meridians of Foot-Taiyang and Foot-Shaoyang. It is specifically used to treat jaundice caused by damp-heat accumulation (Dan Zheng Huang Huang). It must absolutely not be used if it is not true jaundice. If it is indeed true jaundice, it can be used as the Sovereign herb (Jun Yao). However, jaundice varies; there are Yin Jaundice and Yang Jaundice, Heat Jaundice, Cold Jaundice, Dryness Jaundice, and distinctions between Blood Jaundice and Qi Jaundice, which must not fail to be differentiated. People in the world, upon seeing yellowing of the skin, do not differentiate at all, and all use Yinchen without guiding herbs (Yin Jing Zhi Pin) or coordinating assistants (Zuo Shi), hence some cases are effective while others are not. Here, I carefully and detailedly state the following.

The disease of Yin Jaundice: The dampness is not severe, the yellow color is not deep, the lower body is yellow while the upper body is not. At night, one feels restless, urination is hindered, but during the day urination is smooth, bringing a sense of comfort. The treatment method should use Yinchen as the Sovereign herb, assisted by Fuling (Poria), Zexie (Alisma), Yiyiren (Coix Seed), etc., or adding Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) is excellent. Yinchen can be used from 3 qian to 5 qian, not exceeding 5 qian. Taking it continuously for several doses will cause the yellow color to completely recede.

The disease of Yang Jaundice: The dampness is not too severe, but the yellow color is like gold; the upper body and eyes are entirely yellow, while the lower body is not. During the day, urination is difficult and obstructed, sometimes painful, sometimes not; at night, urination is peaceful and spontaneous. The treatment method should use Yinchen as the Sovereign herb, assisted by Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Fuling (Poria), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), etc. After several doses, it will heal. Yinchen must be increased to 5 or 6 qian.

The disease of Heat Jaundice: There is always great thirst in the mouth, yet drinking much causes discomfort. The entire body is yellow, but the eyes appear relatively pale. Urination is urgent, frequent, and painful; the urine resembles yellow sweat. This is due to heat binding in the Bladder preventing outflow. The method again uses Yinchen as the Sovereign herb, approximately up to 5 qian, assisted by Longdancao (Gentianae Radix), Chao Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus stir-fried), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Fuling (Poria), Zhuling (Polyporus), Zexie (Alisma), etc. Thus, fire and heat are drained, and jaundice heals.

The disease of Cold Jaundice: Upon seeing water, there is incessant severe vomiting; one fears cold. Abdominal pain occurs frequently, relieved only by pressure. The whole body is yellow, the sclera is white, urination is clear and copious, especially at night. This is because cold binds in the Bladder, Mingmen Fire (Gate of Life fire) lacks strength to unblock, causing water qi to flow into the Spleen. Since the Spleen is cold and deficient, moisture seeps into the skin and hair, turning yellow. The yellow color resembles that of autumn hibiscus flowers. Although Yinchen is used as the Sovereign herb, it should only be used up to 1 qian; excessive use is strictly forbidden. It must be assisted by Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Qianshi (Nelumbinis Semen), Yiren (Coix Seed), and a small amount of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, several fen) to warm and tonify Mingmen Fire. Without needing ten doses, full recovery will occur.

The disease of Dampness Jaundice: It is entirely due to water-dampness qi. Although all jaundices involve water-dampness, the dampness in Dampness Jaundice is more severe. The whole body, eyes, hands, and feet are yellow; the body is edematous, feeling like mud when pressed. Use Yinchen 4-5 qian, added with Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gansui (Kansui Radix), Qianniu (Pharbitidis Semen), Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), Zexie (Alisma), etc., to slightly raise the Qi, allowing water-dampness to exit through stool and urine. One dose reduces water-dampness by more than half, and jaundice recedes completely. Do not take three doses. Gansui and Qianniu have fierce properties; excessive use may damage Yuan Qi (Original Qi).

The disease of Dryness Jaundice: It is entirely unrelated to water-dampness. Externally, only the skin and flesh on the chest are slightly yellow, while the rest of the body and eyes are not yellow. This is extreme dryness of Lung Metal; the yellow appearing on the chest is a false manifestation. However, since yellowing has occurred, Yinchen cannot be completely omitted. Use 7-8 fen, added with Maidong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Tiandong (Asparagi Radix), Yuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Baijiezi (Sinapis Semen), etc. Long-term use leads to self-healing; once Lung Meridian dryness resolves, chest yellowing removes itself.

The symptom of Blood Jaundice: The whole body and eyes are yellow; the body exhibits mottled fever; the chest is stifling and oppressed; the abdomen is painful. This is blood stasis in the abdomen and below the chest, transforming into yellowing. In Shanghan (Cold Damage) diseases, this is most common. Theoretically, one should follow Master Zhang Zhongjing's formulas and treat according to symptoms. I have additionally devised a formula for adoption. Use Yinchen as Sovereign, adding Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma). One dose eliminates pain and oppression; yellowing gradually heals. If after taking medicine, oppression and pain persist, add Shuizhi (Hirudo), 1 qian, so that blood stasis dissolves and yellowing recedes completely.

The disease of Qi Jaundice: The body does not fever, nor is there bloating, oppression, or irritability. Only the head and face are yellow like pale gold. Appetite is low despite knowing flavors. Movement causes a sense of Qi deficiency and inability to walk. Urination is not frequent; stool is dry but not constipated. This is Qi deficiency failing to transport water-dampness qi, resulting in jaundice. Use Yinchen 1-2 qian, added with Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Fuling (Poria), Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), decocted in large doses and drunk. Naturally, Qi becomes robust, and yellowing vanishes completely.

Having spoken thus, although I dare not claim these methods for treating jaundice are exhaustive, since the diseases are clearly categorized and medications are error-free, they generally cover the scope. I wish people to observe carefully and treat separately when facing clinical cases.

Someone asked: "Your discussion on jaundice truly reveals the wonders of Heaven and Earth. Are there no other types of jaundice?" I replied: "There is another type where the body is not yellow, but the feet are yellow. This is damp-heat congesting and blocking the Middle Jiao, due to Spleen-Stomach deficiency failing to transform water. Treat with Yinchen added to Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Baijiezi (Sinapis Semen), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Binglang (Arecae Semen), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), etc. Then water gradually benefits, and yellow gradually goes. If the body is yellow but the hands and feet are not, it is an incurable condition."