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The "Lue Li" states: Internal contraction of cold damage, physical exertion, and irregular diet lead to a transformation into cold in the middle jiao (Middle Burner), resulting in jaundice. This is not a deteriorated condition caused by mismanagement of cold damage; it suffices to use Jianzhong Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction for Building the Middle) or Lizhong Tang (Ginger-Processed Atractylodes Decoction) to strongly tonify the middle qi. It is unnecessary to use Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba).

Commentary: This refers to insufficiency due to internal injury, thus tonification is appropriate. If there is excess pathogenic factor in a new disease, resolution and guidance (digestive/promoting methods) are required. For chronic diseases, treatment can be applied from the perspective of Grain Jaundice (Gu Dan).

"Nan Zhi" states: A complexion like smoked yellow indicates dampness disease, accompanied by pain throughout the body. A complexion like orange yellow indicates Yellow Disease (Jaundice), without pain throughout the body. Dry yellow with free urination, heaviness not in the limbs, thirst with desire to drink, is treated with Zhizi Bopi Tang (Gardenia and Phellodendron Bark Decoction). Damp yellow belongs to the Spleen, with difficult urination, heaviness in the limbs, apparent thirst but no desire to drink, is treated with Da Yinchen Tang (Major Artemisiae Scopariae Decoction). If stool is free and jaundice occurs, treat with Yinchen Zhizi Huanglian Sanwu Tang (Artemisiae Scopariae, Gardenia, and Coptis Three-Ingredient Decoction). Alternating chills and fever with jaundice throughout the body is treated with Xiao Chaihu Tang plus Zhizi (Minor Bupleurum Decoction plus Gardenia).

Commentary: Jaundice with whole-body pain indicates dampness prevailing at the exterior; painlessness indicates the disease is in the interior; dryness indicates heat prevailing. Therefore, the latter conditions all have distinctions between exterior and interior. Li Dongyuan stated: Cold damage should be treated with sweating; if not sweated out, jaundice will arise. If the pathogen is at the exterior, urgent sweating is indicated; if in the interior of the exterior, leaching and draining are indicated; if half-exterior half-interior, harmonizing is indicated; if in the interior, urgent purging is indicated. Regarding the aforementioned conditions and the statement in "Lue Li" that men with jaundice and free urination should receive Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) for deficiency consumption: if the yellow color remains unchanged, diarrhea is desired, abdominal fullness occurs with panting, clearing heat must be avoided, as clearing heat will inevitably cause hiccups; Xiaobanxia Tang (Minor Pinellia Decoction) may be used. These cases need not be rigidly confined to the use of Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba).

Jin Gui Yaolue's Guizhi Jia Huangqi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Astragalus) treats Huanghan (Yellow Sweat), characterized by body swelling, sweating which brings temporary relief, but over time leading to body pain, chest pain, absence of sweat below the waist, flaccid pain in the waist as if something were trapped in the skin, severe cases unable to eat, irritability, and difficult urination.
Ingredients: Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi), Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) (each 3 qian), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) (2 qian), Huangqi (Radix Astragali) (5 qian).
Preparation: Decoct in water, add Shengjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) and Dazao (Fructus Jujubae), take orally. After taking, drink hot porridge to assist the medicinal power.

Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Tang (Ephedra, Forsythia, and Red Bean Decoction) treats persistent body heat, stasis-heat in the interior causing jaundice, and slightly free urination.
Ingredients: Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae), Lianqiao (Fructus Forsythiae) (each 1 liang), Chixiaodou (Semina Phaseoli Angularis).
Preparation: Coarsely crush, prepare as one dose, decoct in water.

Ju Fang Yinyin Wuling San (Institutional Formula Yinchen Five-Ling Powder) treats jaundice from cold damage or latent summerheat, with difficult urination and irritability/thirst. Use five parts of the base formula plus one part Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba).

Han Shi Yinchen Fuling Tang (Han's Formula Yinchen and Poria Decoction) treats jaundice with deep, fine, rapid pulse, cold limbs, astringent/difficult urination, irritability, and thirst.
Ingredients: Fuling (Poria), Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi), Zhuling (Polyporus) (each 1 liang), Huashi (Talcum) (1.5 liang), Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) (1 liang).
Preparation: Grind into powder, take 0.5 liang per dose, decoct in water. If the pulse has not returned, add Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis).

Commentary: The above formulas are examples of medications for the Taiyang (Greater Yang) pattern.