Dampness-Draining Formulas

茵陈五苓散 · Yīn Chén Wǔ Líng Sǎn

Yin Chen Wu Ling San

Combination of Yin Chen Hao with Wu Ling San. Used for damp-type (Yin) jaundice with fluid retention, thirst and scanty urine, often against a background of Spleen weakness.

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Last reviewed July 2026

Formula CategoryDampness-Draining Formulas

Primary PatternDampness

Primary FunctionDrain Damp, promote urination, resolve jaundice

Primary Therapeutic PrincipleClear Dampness, promote urination, resolve jaundice and warm Yang

Main HerbsVirgate Wormwood · Alisma Rhizome · Poria / Hoelen · Polyporus · White Atractylodes Rhizome · Cinnamon Twig

Classical SourceJin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)

Why This Formula?

Traditionally selected for jaundice where dampness clearly outweighs Heat and fluid retention is evident, pairing Yin Chen Hao with the water-draining Wu Ling San base — milder and less cooling than Yin Chen Hao Tang, which suits frank yang-type damp-heat jaundice.

Overview

What Is Yin Chen Wu Ling San?

1. Background and Origins

Yin Chen Wu Ling San (茵陈五苓散 Artemisia and Five-Poria Powder) is a classical Traditional Chinese Medicine formula traditionally used to resolve dampness, promote urination, support fluid metabolism, and address damp-heat patterns associated with jaundice.

Yin Chen Wu Ling San is created by adding the highly medicinal herb Yinchen to the ancient Wuling San base. Originating from Zhang Zhongjing’s Shang Han Lun, it was progressively developed by ancient physicians through continuous clinical practice.

2. Icteric Hepatitis

Used for damp-heat type jaundice and icteric hepatitis presenting with yellowing of the skin and eyes, short scanty dark urine, and a yellow greasy tongue coating — can reduce jaundice and promote bile excretion, combined with hepatoprotective treatment.

3. Cholecystitis and Cholelithiasis

Used for right upper-quadrant pain and jaundice caused by damp-heat accumulation and bile stasis — can serve as adjunct treatment to benefit the gallbladder and resolve jaundice, relieving symptoms.

4. Oedema

Used for inhibited urination and oedema caused by internal dampness obstruction — promotes urination, drains dampness, strengthens the spleen, and eliminates dampness to improve oedema symptoms.

How It Works

Herb Composition (Sovereign / Minister / Assistant / Envoy)

1. Chief Herb: Yinchen

Yinchen (Artemisia capillaris) is bitter, acrid, and slightly cold, primarily clearing and draining damp-heat, benefiting the gallbladder, and resolving jaundice. It's the pivotal herb for expelling damp-heat from the spleen, stomach, liver, and gallbladder, critical for treating damp-heat jaundice with its choleretic, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects.

2. Deputy Herbs: Zexie, Fuling, and Zhuling

Zexie (Alisma Rhizome), Fuling (Poria), and Zhuling (Polyporus) act as deputy herbs, each promoting urination and draining dampness. Zexie clears damp-heat, Fuling strengthens the spleen, and Zhuling specializes in water drainage. Together, they powerfully assist Yinchen in expelling internal dampness pathogens, reinforcing the formula's dampness-eliminating efficacy.

3. Adjuvant Herb: Baizhu

Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) is warm and dries dampness, strengthening the spleen and tonifying qi. It enhances the spleen-stomach's transportation and transformation functions, preventing further generation of dampness. Baizhu also supports the chief and deputy herbs, amplifying their collective action to eliminate dampness effectively.

Yin Chen Wu Ling San: Draining Dampness, Resolving Jaundice and Unblocking Yang | HJMEDICAL

4. Envoy Herb: Guizhi

Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) warms and unblocks yang qi, assisting bladder qi transformation and reinforcing the water-promoting action. It harmonizes the formula, preventing the cold nature of other herbs from excessively damaging yang qi, thus enhancing the overall therapeutic efficacy and ensuring a balanced action.

Symptoms Traditionally Associated

Clinical Presentation in TCM

1. Pathomechanism Analysis

The primary pathomechanism addresses damp-heat accumulating in the middle burner, leading to impaired spleen-stomach transportation, internal dampness obstruction, and overflow of bile. This obstruction results in jaundice, inhibited urination, abdominal distension, and nausea.

2. Therapeutic Actions

The formula powerfully clears heat, drains dampness, and resolves jaundice, while also promoting urination. Yinchen is key for damp-heat and jaundice. Zexie, Fuling, and Zhuling enhance urination and dampness drainage. Baizhu strengthens the spleen to prevent dampness recurrence, and Guizhi assists yang to promote bladder qi transformation.

3. Clinical Indications

It primarily governs jaundice, specifically damp-heat jaundice and internal dampness obstruction patterns. Manifestations include yellowing of the skin and eyes, short, scanty, dark yellow urine, a yellow or white greasy tongue coating, and epigastric and abdominal fullness and distension.

Formula Analysis

The Mechanism in Classical Theory

1. Clearing Heat & Draining Dampness

Yin Chen Wu Ling San clears hepatic-biliary damp-heat, directly addressing the root of jaundice and damp accumulation while facilitating bile flow to resolve cholestatic stasis. Together these actions reduce bilirubin-related symptoms and restore smoother hepatic-biliary drainage.

2. Restoring Spleen–Stomach Function

The formula promotes diuresis to expel pathogenic dampness through the urinary tract, preventing fluid stagnation and edema, while supporting spleen–stomach transport and transformation to reestablish normal fluid metabolism and reduce recurrence.

How This Formula Compares

Clinical Comparison Table

Compare	Yin Chen Wu Ling San	Yin Chen Hao Tang	Wu Ling San	Wei Ling Tang
Primary Function	Drain Damp, promote urination, resolve jaundice	Clear Damp-Heat, resolve jaundice	Promote urination, drain Dampness, warm Yang	Dry Middle Damp, promote urination, strengthen Spleen
Formula Category	Dampness-Draining Formulas	Dampness-Draining Formulas	Dampness-Draining Formulas	Dampness-Draining Formulas
Typical TCM Pattern	Dampness	Damp-Heat	Dampness	Dampness
Main Conditions	Edema, Damp Constitution, Frequent Urination	Damp-Heat Constitution, Dull Complexion	Edema, Frequent Urination, Damp Constitution	Diarrhea, Bloating, Stomach Discomfort, Poor Appetite, Edema
Main Herbs	Virgate Wormwood · Alisma Rhizome · Poria / Hoelen · Polyporus · White Atractylodes Rhizome · Cinnamon Twig	Virgate Wormwood · Gardenia Fruit · Rhubarb Root and Rhizome	Alisma Rhizome · Poria / Hoelen · Polyporus · White Atractylodes Rhizome · Cinnamon Twig	Atractylodes Rhizome · Magnolia Bark · Tangerine Peel · White Atractylodes Rhizome · Poria / Hoelen · Polyporus · Alisma Rhizome · Cinnamon Twig · Licorice Root
Classical Source	Jin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)	Shang Han Lun / Jin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)	Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)	Combination of Ping Wei San + Wu Ling San (traditional)

How to tell them apart

Yin Chen Wu Ling San addresses damp-predominant jaundice with fluid retention. Yin Chen Hao Tang is for yang-type damp-heat jaundice with more Heat. Wu Ling San is the pure water-draining base. Wei Ling Tang combines middle-jiao damp drying with water draining.

For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.

Clinical Modifications

Clinical Modifications for Yin Chen Wu Ling San

1. Pronounced Damp-Heat

Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit) and Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) may be added to reinforce the heat-clearing, fire-draining, and heat-venting force — for those with prominent heat signs and deeper jaundice.

2. Pronounced Dampness Pathogen

Cangzhu (Grey Atractylodes) and Houpo (Magnolia Bark) may be added to reinforce the damp-drying, spleen-strengthening, and qi-moving dampness-transforming effect — improving symptoms in those with marked abdominal distension.

3. Prolonged Jaundice with Blood Stasis

Blood-activating stasis-resolving and gallbladder-benefiting jaundice-resolving herbs such as Danshen (Salvia Root), Chishao (Red Peony Root), and Yujin (Turmeric Tuber) may be added to expel stasis and support vital qi, promoting resolution of jaundice.

Modern Research

What the Science Suggests

1. Pharmacological Research

Yin Chen Wu Ling San (Artemisia Yinchenhao and Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), also known as Five Substances Powder, is a classical formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine that combines Wu Ling San’s ability to promotes urination and percolates dampness with Yin Chen’s action to drains dampness and relieves jaundice.

It effectively addresses failure of bladder qi transformation and impaired water and dampness metabolism, making it highly suitable for water retention, fluid retention, edema, urinary issues, dysuria, watery diarrhea, retention of water-dampness, dysfunction of bladder qi transformation and water amassment syndrome — especially when there is more dampness than heat with abdominal distention and water stagnation in the lower jiao. The formula restores fluid balance, improves water metabolism, and resolves patterns caused by external pathogens in the taiyang channel, often presenting with mild fever, headache with mild fever, white tongue coating, and a floating or slow pulse. By promoting urination, percolating dampness, and relieving jaundice, Yin Chen Wu Ling San comprehensively restores normal water circulation in the body.

Research shows that Yinchen has choleretic, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory actions; Zexie, Fuling, and Zhuling promote urination to drain dampness and regulate electrolytes; Baizhu strengthens the spleen and enhances immunity; Guizhi assists yang and unblocks qi to promote urinary function. These actions together explain the formula's effects in resolving jaundice, promoting water drainage, and protecting the liver.

2. Expanding Clinical Applications

Beyond traditional jaundice and biliary conditions, some studies are exploring its adjunct role in fatty liver disease, hyperlipidaemia, and metabolism-related conditions — though more high-quality clinical trials are needed for validation.

Safety

Safety Considerations

1. Dietary Restrictions

During the medication course, avoid acrid and spicy, greasy, and raw and cold foods — to prevent generating heat and aggravating dampness, or damaging spleen-stomach yang qi and reducing therapeutic efficacy.

2. Special Populations

Pregnant women should use with caution. Those with pronounced spleen-stomach cold deficiency should use with caution or add middle-warming herbs as appropriate. Those with severe renal insufficiency should use water-promoting herbs cautiously; monitor fluid and electrolyte balance as necessary.

Available Products

Where to Get It

Nong's Yin Chen Wu Ling San Extract Granules

HJMEDICAL Nong's Yin Chen Wu Ling San (Artemisia and Five-Ling Powder) 5:1 Concentrated Granules $50.90

HJMEDICAL Hoi Tin Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) 5:1 Concentrated Granules $15.90

HJMEDICAL Nong's Wu Ling San (Poria Five Powder) 5:1 Concentrated Granules $47.90

FAQ

Questions About Yin Chen Wu Ling San

Q1: What are the actions of Yin Chen Wu Ling San?

Yin Chen Wu Ling San has the actions of draining dampness and resolving jaundice, strengthening the spleen and unblocking yang, and promoting urination to drain dampness. It is primarily used for symptoms caused by internal damp-heat accumulation, including jaundice, inhibited urination, bitter and sticky mouth, and heaviness and fatigue of the body.

Q2: Which modern diseases is Yin Chen Wu Ling San suited to?

Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within damp-heat accumulation and liver-gallbladder stagnation, including jaundice, fatty liver disease, cholestatic liver disease, and chronic liver function abnormalities.

Q3: Is Yin Chen Wu Ling San suitable for patients with fatty liver disease?

For patients with fatty liver disease presenting with bitter and sticky mouth, hypochondriac fullness and distension, fatigue and heaviness, a yellow greasy tongue coating, and other damp-heat accumulation manifestations — TCM commonly applies Yin Chen Wu Ling San following pattern differentiation as an adjunct management approach to improve the state of damp-heat metabolic imbalance.

Q4: Who should not take Yin Chen Wu Ling San?

Those with yin-type jaundice (cold-damp jaundice), yin deficiency with fluid depletion, absence of damp-heat manifestations, and insufficient body fluids are generally not suitable for Yin Chen Wu Ling San. Use should be assessed by a qualified TCM physician based on individual constitution and pattern differentiation.

FAQ

General Questions

How do I choose the right formula?

TCM formulas are traditionally selected according to individual pattern differentiation rather than by symptom alone. If you're not sure which formula fits your presentation, take our AI Assessment below for a personalized starting point, then confirm with a qualified TCM practitioner.

What are concentrated herbal granules?

Concentrated herbal granules are made by decocting raw herbs, then extracting and concentrating the resulting liquid into a fine granule or powder form. This preserves the same active compounds as a traditional decoction while making the herbs far easier to store, measure, and prepare.

How should I take these products?

Dissolve the recommended amount of granules in hot water, stir until fully dissolved, and drink while warm — following the dosage and frequency advised by your TCM practitioner or as stated on the product packaging.

Are concentrated herbal granules equivalent to traditional decoctions?

Concentrated granules are produced from the same herbs and processed to retain their active compounds, so they are traditionally regarded as a convenient alternative to decoctions rather than a different remedy. Some practitioners note subtle differences in strength or absorption between the two forms, so your TCM practitioner may adjust dosage accordingly.

Are your products authentic?

Yes. HJMEDICAL sources its concentrated granules exclusively from established, reputable manufacturers such as Nong's and Hoi Tin, both long-standing names in the TCM granules industry, with GMP compliance stated directly on their packaging.

Are HJMEDICAL products manufactured under GMP standards?

HJMEDICAL sources its concentrated granules from established, reputable manufacturers such as Nong's and Hoi Tin, both long-standing names in the TCM granules industry. GMP compliance for these products is stated directly on their packaging.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes — we ship worldwide! Every order goes out via Hong Kong Post, and your exact shipping cost and estimated delivery time for your address are calculated and shown right at checkout, so there are never any surprises. We also offer free shipping once your order reaches our free-shipping threshold, so it's easy to stock up on your favorite formulas and save.

Can I take more than one formula at the same time?

Some formulas are traditionally combined, while others overlap or counteract each other. We recommend checking with a qualified TCM practitioner before combining formulas, especially if you are already taking other medication.

Are these products suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Some TCM formulas are not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Please consult a qualified TCM practitioner or your doctor before use if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or nursing.

Do these products replace medical treatment?

No. These products are traditional herbal supplements intended to support wellbeing according to TCM principles — they are not a replacement for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or combining any treatment, especially if you have a chronic condition.

Medical Disclaimer

For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.

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