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Grain Jaundice (Gu Dan) presents with easy hunger in the chest, difficulty feeling full after eating, and if excessive food is consumed, it triggers irritability, dizziness, difficult urination, and a body color resembling gold. This is caused by deficiency-heat in the Stomach, not damp-heat. The Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth; the Spleen is Yin Earth but its function is Yang; the Stomach is Yang Earth but its function is Yin. When Spleen and Stomach harmonize, hardness and softness assist each other, regulating water passages and facilitating the distribution and elimination of fluids. Only when internal injury from the Seven Emotions causes Yin and Yang to fail to harmonize does pathology arise: without Yin to harmonize Yang, the Stomach accumulates heat and digests grain rapidly; without Yang to harmonize Yin, the Spleen accumulates cold and retains water. These two factors clash and激荡, causing dizziness and oppression. Consequently, ingested food and fluids do not transform into essence-clear Qi but are steamed into turbid-corrupt Qi. Turbid Qi sinks and flows downward into the Bladder. The Bladder receives Stomach heat, impairing Qi transformation, leading to urinary obstruction. Water flows to the genitalia, while heat scatters through the skin, causing generalized jaundice. The treatment method is to ascend the clear Qi of the Stomach to differentiate and drain the Bladder, so that clear Yang ascends and turbid Yin descends easily, water flow promotes heat dissipation. Use Fen Zhuo San (Separate Turbidity Powder): Fu Ling (Poria, 1 liang), Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed, 3 qian), Zhu Ling (Polyporus, 3 qian), Yin Chen (Artemisia Capillaris, 1 qian), Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit, 3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, urination becomes slightly free; after two doses, dampness recedes; after ten doses, complete recovery occurs.

Fu Ling is used as the Sovereign herb because it drains water without damaging Stomach Qi. With Stomach Qi undamaged, subsequent use of heat-clearing and damp-draining herbs ensures no risk of Stomach fire hyperactivity and naturally prevents Spleen water stagnation. If not treated early, water-dampness qi flows into the Kidney, damaging it, inevitably leading to abdominal distension and Gu Distension (Gu Syndrome), which becomes incurable.

This condition can also be effectively treated with Yin Chen Ling Zhu Tang (Artemisia Poria Atractylodes Decoction).
Yin Chen (3 qian), Fu Ling (5 qian), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome, 5 qian), Yi Ren (Coix Seed, 5 qian), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Wine Jaundice (Jiu Dan) presents with frequent mental restlessness (Ao Nu), fever, inability to eat, frequent urge to vomit, and chest/abdominal fullness, yet speech remains clear. People attribute this to wine-food induced jaundice, but wine-dampness jaundice arises from internal injury due to irregular eating and overwork. Those who drink well have vigorous Gallbladder Qi. The Gallbladder is not a container for wine but penetrates and transforms it; wine transformed by Gallbladder Qi becomes water, enters the Bladder, and is excreted. However, internal injury damages the Five Zang organs, and Zang damage leads to Fu damage. With all Zang and Fu damaged, how can Gallbladder Qi remain vigorous? As Gallbladder Qi declines, it loses the power to penetrate wine. Despite this, people continue drinking excessively, increasing wine load and further damaging Gallbladder Qi. Damaged Gallbladder cannot penetrate wine, so wine stays between Spleen and Stomach. Weakened Spleen/Stomach cannot handle wine/meat, transmitting it to the Bladder. Weakened Bladder cannot process incoming water; lower blockage forces reflux upward (vomiting) and lower excretion becomes difficult. Middle Jiao cannot retain it long, so damp-heat qi accumulates, surges to the Diaphragm, and manifests as mental restlessness in the Heart. It then permeates the whole body and limbs, causing jaundice. Mental restlessness implies heart-mind confusion, yet speech is clear? Wine qi steaming temporarily causes restlessness; "restlessness" describes a state of wanting pain but not having it, not true chaotic spirit. Treatment should resolve wine toxicity and strengthen Gallbladder Qi. Vigorous Gallbladder Qi eliminates wine qi; eliminated wine qi allows water qi to drain; drained water qi resolves jaundice. Use Wang Dan Xiao Jiu Tang (Strengthen Gallbladder Eliminate Wine Decoction): Zuo Mu Zhi (Oak Branch, 3 qian), Shan Zhi Zi (Mountain Gardenia, 3 qian), Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark, 3 qian), Bai Fu Ling (White Poria, 3 qian), Bai Shao Yao (White Peony Root, 1 liang), Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf, 100 leaves), Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome, 2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Two doses promote Bladder drainage; four doses lighten yellow color; eight doses achieve full recovery.

Zuo Mu specializes in eliminating invisible wine toxicity. Removing the root source is key. For strengthening Gallbladder, only Bai Shao and Shan Zhi Zi are effective. Other herbs merely distribute damp-heat. Ignoring this treatment and using emetics or purgatives is like killing with a knife; caution is essential.

This condition can also be effectively treated with Yu Li Gui Shao Tang (Prunus Dumestica Bark Angelica White Peony Decoction).
Bai Shao (1 liang), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Radix, 5 qian), Fu Ling (5 qian), Yu Li Ren (Prunus Dumestica Kernel, 5 fen), Gan Cao (Licorice Root, 3 fen), Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome, 5 fen), Che Qian Zi (2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Female Labor Jaundice (Nv Lao Zhi Dan) results from Kidney Qi deficiency, presenting with sore/aching limbs, nocturnal fright dreams, mental fatigue, loss of taste, weakness, chest/abdominal fullness, weak/slow legs/knees, impotence, inner thigh damp-itchiness, painful/difficult urination with residual drops, lower abdominal fullness, generalized jaundice, and black forehead. Attributed to excessive sexual activity. Sexual endurance relies on Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo); decline leads to inability to endure. Forced intercourse with weak fire causes excessive semen loss; fire dissipates with water, turning heat to cold. Water and Fire are indispensable. Water deficiency fails to control Fire (Fire moves easily); Fire deficiency fails to promote Water (Water stagnates). Stagnant water here is external water, not internal water. Internal water controls Fire to form fluids; external water fails to extinguish Fire, causing jaundice. Thus, Female Labor Jaundice is damp-heat knotting at the Essence Aperture, not blood stasis closing in bone marrow. Using drastic blood-breaking formulas like Di Dang Tang (containing Shui Zhi/Hirudo) or Fan Shi San (containing Xiao Shi/Niter) will cause immediate death. Treatment should tonify Kidney Qi without aiding Fire, drain Bladder water without destroying Yin. Work slowly, do not demand quick results. Use Jian Huang Dan (Reduce Yellow Pill): Bai Fu Ling (5 qian), Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome, 5 qian), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix, 3 fen), Bai Zhu (1 qian), Qian Shi (Euryale Seed, 5 qian), Yi Ren (5 qian), Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta Seed, 3 qian), Che Qian Zi (1 qian), Sheng Zao Ren (Raw Jujube Seed, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Ten doses reduce jaundice; another ten reduce it further; another ten achieve full recovery. Another thirty doses ensure no life-threatening danger.

Female Labor Jaundice is hardest to treat; historically often fatal. Persistence, abstinence, strict disease management, and faith in the formula guarantee survival. This formula secures the root to save injury, not expel evil to drain stasis. Kidney Qi strengthens daily, yellow fades daily. Doubts suggest supplementing Fire since it stems from Kidney Fire deficiency. However, prolonged illness consumes Yin; supplementing Fire risks burning Yin, causing harm rather than benefit.

This condition can also be effectively treated with Du Zhu Tang (Eucommia Atractylodes Decoction).
Bai Zhu (2 liang), Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark, 5 qian), Fu Ling (5 qian), Che Qian Zi (3 qian), [Missing Herb Name] (5 qian), Shan Yao (1 liang). Decoct in water and take orally.

Lung Jaundice (Fei Dan) presents with nasal congestion, yellow face/head, bland taste/dry throat, and difficult urination. Often mistaken for standard jaundice, it actually stems from Lung Qi deficiency. Vigorous Lung Metal Qi sends clear/pure commands down to the Bladder, draining all damp-heat via urine, ensuring abundant urination and no damp retention. Direct water drainage prevents heat retention. Lung Qi deficiency first allows damp-heat to stagnate in the Chest/Diaphragm, causing Lung dryness and loss of clear/pure command. Water Qi exploits this dryness, combining with dryness to create heat. Damp-heat seeks entry to the Bladder, but Bladder rejects it; seeking exit via skin pores, but Cou Li (pores) are closed, preventing outward release, resulting in yellow manifestation on skin. Treatment should ventilate/unblock Lung Qi and strengthen Spleen/Earth. Upper Lung blockage causes lower Water Qi blockage; unblocking Lung Qi aids water descent. Further tonifying Spleen generates Lung Metal. Thus, promoting Lung Qi is essential. Use Yang Fei Li Shi Tang (Raise Lung Drain Dampness Decoction): Jie Geng (Platycodon Root, 3 qian), Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root, 2 qian), Bai Zhu (5 qian), Fu Ling (5 qian), Sang Bai Pi (3 qian), Yin Chen (3 qian), Zhu Ling (2 qian), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root, 5 fen). Decoct in water and take orally. One dose clears nose; two moistens throat; three removes bland taste; four promotes abundant urination; ten disperses head/facial yellow.

This formula opens Cou Li, generates fluids, benefiting Lung Metal's moistening/drying function. Combined with Fu Ling, Yin Chen, Tian Hua Fen, Bai Zhu, Earth Qi flourishes, Metal Qi rises, clear/pure command executes, Bladder heat obstruction clears immediately. Abundant urination makes jaundice impossible to persist.

This condition can also be treated with Tong Qi Yin (Unblock Qi Drink):
Jie Geng (2 qian), Zi Wan (Aster Root, 2 qian), Bai Zhu (5 qian), Fu Ling (5 qian), Gan Cao (3 fen), Yin Chen (1 qian), Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit, 3 grains), Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb, 2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Heart Jaundice (Xin Dan) presents with irritability/thirst craving drinks, water stopping below the Heart upon ingestion with gurgling sounds, frequent sweating on the chest, generalized yellow skin, but white eyes. Mistaken for jaundice, it is actually Heart Deficiency Heat. Heart prefers dryness over dampness, but extreme dryness may make it prefer dampness temporarily. However, Heart ultimately prefers dryness. Using dampness to balance dryness is temporary, not permanent. Water is Yin, residing in Yang location (Heart), reluctant to enter Small Intestine. Heart constrained by Water lacks strength to distribute it to Bladder, so water stops below Heart making noise. Dan Zhong (Conception Vessel area) acts as Heart's assistant; seeing Water Evil invade Heart, it emits Fire to rescue, fighting in the chest. Water heated by Fire turns to sweat, emerging from chest. Remaining water escapes via skin pores, obstructs, and turns yellow. Eyes remain white because Liver opens to eyes, Heart is Liver's child; Evil sees Liver Wood vigor and avoids Liver territory. Eyes are Liver's domain, so damp-heat doesn't reach them. Treatment should tonify Liver Qi to generate Heart, drain water-dampness to expel heat, resolving jaundice without direct attack. Use Xie Gan Li Shi Tang (Drain Liver Drain Dampness Decoction): Bai Shao (1 liang), Fu Ling (5 qian), Bai Zhu (5 qian), Yin Chen (3 qian), Chao Zhi Zi (Stir-fried Gardenia, 3 qian), Mu Tong (Akebia Stem, 1 qian), Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. One dose lightens symptoms; two more lightens further; ten doses cure.

Tonifying Liver benefits Heart; draining water drains heat. Treating only yellow without considering Zang organ generation/restriction cycles, and recklessly using Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), can transform this into Cold Yellow, making treatment difficult.

This condition can also be effectively treated with Yin Chen Ling Zhu Huang Lian Tang (Artemisia Poria Atractylodes Coptis Decoction).
Yin Chen (3 qian), Fu Ling (5 qian), Bai Zhu (5 qian), Huang Lian (2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Liver Jaundice (Gan Dan) presents with completely yellow eyes, yellow body/limbs (less severe than eyes), rebellious Qi, cold hands/feet, continuous sweating limited to above waist (no sweat below waist). Mistaken for jaundice, it is actually Liver Qi stagnation with knotted damp-heat. Liver belongs to Wood, growing with water, why does dampness cause stagnation? Liver prefers Kidney Water, not external pathogenic water. Kidney Water generates Wood; Pathogenic Water attacks Wood causing jaundice. Liver stores Blood, not Water. Excess external water closes Liver, transferring water to Spleen/Stomach. But external water comes from Spleen/Stomach originally; Spleen/Stomach reject what they discard. Water transfers to Bladder, which also rejects it due to Liver Wood damp-heat, causing self-burning. Damp-heat returns to Liver, finding no space, causing stagnation and sweating. Incomplete sweating leads to jaundice. If sweat were complete, jaundice might not form. Damp-heat tries to descend to Kidney Palace, but Kidney Qi dislikes Liver invasion and blocks entry. Waist/lower region is Kidney's domain, hence no sweat and yellowing. Treatment should open Liver Qi stagnation, assist with damp-distributing/evil-dispersing agents, curing jaundice spontaneously. Use Li Gan Fen Shui Yin (Benefit Liver Separate Water Drink): Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root, 2 qian), Yin Chen (3 qian), Fu Ling (1 liang), Zhu Ling (3 qian), Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root, 1 qian), Che Qian Zi (3 qian), Bai Ji Li (Tribulus Fruit, 3 qian), Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower, 5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Two doses lighten eye yellow; four more lighten body yellow; four more stop rebellious Qi/sweating; ten more cure.

This formula opens stagnation within damp-drainage, tonifies Liver within heat-dispersion, successfully expelling evil while protecting righteousness.

This condition can also be effectively treated with Li Mu Tang (Benefit Eye Decoction).
Long Dan Cao (2 qian), Yin Chen (3 qian), Bai Shao (1 liang), Fu Ling (5 qian), Ze Xie (3 qian), Che Qian Zi (3 qian), Bai Ji Li (3 qian), Chai Hu (1 qian), Cao Jue Ming (Cassia Seed, 2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Spleen Jaundice (Pi Dan) presents with body yellow like autumn okra, sweat staining clothes yellow, yellow sputum/nasal discharge, aversion to hearing voices, difficult urination. Mistaken for Yellow Sweat disease, it is actually Spleen Yin Jaundice. Spleen Earth likes warmth; Jaundice is damp-heat. Heat isn't disliked by Spleen, so why yellow? Spleen fears dampness. Spleen is Damp Earth; adding dampness to dampness extinguishes Spleen Yang Qi. Without Yang, Yin cannot transform; Earth becomes Pure Yin, unable to control Water. Water stays in Spleen; Cold Earth cannot distribute it, allowing flow into meridians/skin. All Zang/Fu water drains to Bladder, but Pure Yin Spleen lacks Yang Qi to reach Bladder. Cold water should be clear; why yellow? Extreme cold resembles Earth. Extreme cold should show Water image (Black); why yellow? Because water resides within Earth. Aversion to hearing voices indicates extreme Spleen Cold, implying Heart Cold. Heart Cold causes Gallbladder Fear; hearing voices causes sudden fright, hence aversion. Treatment should strongly tonify Spleen, warm Ming Men (Gate of Life) Qi, assist with diuretics, transforming Yin to Yang, curing jaundice. Use Bu Huo San Xie Tang (Tonify Fire Scatter Evil Decoction): Bai Zhu (3 liang), Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Child, 3 qian), Ren Shen (2 liang), Yin Chen (3 qian), Bai Fu Ling (1 liang), Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber, 3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Four doses promote urination; four more stop yellow sweat/sputum.

Bai Zhu and Ren Shen tonify Spleen; Fu Ling and Yin Chen drain water; Fu Zi warms Fire. True Fire generated, Evil Fire scatters; Primordial Yang returns, Yin Qi dissipates. Yin/Yang harmonize, Water/Fire regulate; jaundice must depart.

This condition can also be effectively treated with Yin Chen Fen Shi Tang (Artemisia Distribute Dampness Decoction).
Bai Zhu (2 liang), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark, 3 qian), Yin Chen (3 qian), Zhu Ling (3 qian), Ban Xia (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Kidney Jaundice (Shen Dan) presents with yellow body/face, difficult urination, anorexia, inability to lie down. Mistaken for jaundice, it is actually Kidney Cold. Kidney is Water Palace but cannot tolerate excess water; water transforms via Kidney Qi. Kidney and Bladder are exterior-interior; Kidney prosperity brings Bladder prosperity. Prosperity comes from Kidney Fire, not Water. Kidney Fire prosperous = water flows; Kidney Fire deficient = water accumulates. Massive accumulation causes Water Distension (Shu Gu); minor accumulation causes Jaundice (Huang Dan). Jaundice is easier to treat than Water Distension. Treating Kidney Jaundice as standard jaundice fails; must tonify Kidney Fire, assist with damp-draining/Spleen-strengthening herbs for rapid recovery. Use Ji Shui Tang (Save Water Decoction): Bai Zhu (2 liang), Rou Gui (3 qian), Fu Ling (1 liang), Shan Yao (1 liang), Yi Ren (1 liang), Yin Chen (1 qian), Qian Shi (5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Two doses promote urination; two more increase appetite; two more allow lying down; two more remove body/facial yellow.

Bai Zhu strengthens Spleen; it also benefits Waist-Navel Qi, thus strengthening Kidney. Fu Ling, Shan Yao, Qian Shi tonify Kidney and drain dampness. Rou Gui generates Ming Men Fire, warming Kidney, allowing Primordial Yang to transform in Bladder. Yi Ren targets Bladder directly. Like sun illuminating sky, melting ice/snow, jaundice disperses. Some claim jaundice is always damp-heat, never damp-cold. Indeed, there is Yin Yellow (Spleen Cold); surely Kidney Cold doesn't cause yellow? Kidney Cold yellow has deeper logic. Yellow is Earth color. Extreme yellow turns Black; pre-extreme yellow appears first. Kidney Jaundice yellow signals impending Black. Yellow to Black means Pure Yin No Yang, leading to death. Current yellow indicates internal No Yang, Yin forcing Yang outward to skin, a sliver of Yang remaining, about to leave. Tonifying Yang reconnects this sliver. If skin turns Black, even this good formula cannot save.

This condition can also be effectively treated with Jia Jian Wu Ling San (Modified Five Ingredient Powder with Poria).
Bai Zhu (2 liang), Fu Ling (1 liang), Ze Xie (3 qian), Yi Ren (3 qian), [Missing Herb Name] (3 qian), Rou Gui (3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Some present with palpitations/fear, yellow face/body, difficult urination, emaciated skin. Mistaken for jaundice, it is actually Gallbladder Timidity exploited by Dampness. Gallbladder belongs to Shaoyang, Yang Wood. Wood loves Water; Dampness is Water. Water-Damp entering Gallbladder should please it, yet causes jaundice? Excess water floats Wood, weakening roots. Shaoyang Wood is small, cannot withstand vast erosion, hence timidity. Timidity lets Water Evil prevail; Gallbladder fails to defend, Water Evil enters, Gallbladder juice leaks out, causing jaundice. Treatment should drain Water-Damp Evil to strengthen Gallbladder Qi and nourish Wood. However, Wood soaked long needs root stabilization, not just water removal. Wood controls Earth, but...