Yin Chen Hao Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
茵陈蒿汤 · Yīn Chén Hāo Tāng
The classic Shang Han Lun formula for yang-type (damp-heat) jaundice. Clears Damp-Heat via both urine and stool, producing bright yellow jaundice with Heat signs.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Dampness-Draining Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Damp-Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear Damp-Heat, resolve jaundice
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder and resolve jaundice
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun / Jin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
The classic Shang Han Lun formula for yang-type (damp-heat) jaundice. Clears Damp-Heat via both urine and stool, producing bright yellow jaundice with Heat signs.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for yang-type jaundice with vivid orange colouring, scanty dark urine and constipation, where Damp-Heat is intense — considerably more cooling and purging than Yin Chen Wu Ling San, which suits damp-predominant jaundice with fluid retention rather than marked Heat.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
Classical Composition
- Artemisiae Scopariae Herba (Yin Chen) 6 liang (18g)
- Gardeniae Fructus (Zhi Zi) 14 pieces (12g)
- Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Da Huang) 2 liang (6g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears heat
- drains dampness
- and relieves jaundice.
Indications
- Yin Chen Hao Tang is indicated for damp-heat jaundice.
- The symptoms are bright yellow discoloration of the skin, fever, absence of sweating or only sweating on the head, thirst with a desire to drink, nausea, vomiting, slight abdominal distension, scanty and dark urine, diarrhea, or constipation.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red with a greasy and yellow coating. The pulse is either deep, rapid or slippery, rapid and powerful.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This formula is a common formula used to treat damp-heat jaundice.《Treatise on Cold Damage》explains that it is used for yellow skin discoloration due to the interaction of blood stasis and heat.《Essentials from the Golden Cabinet》explains that it is used for dietary jaundice.
- Both are caused by heat invasion that mixes with spleen-dampness to cause damp-heat accumulation in the middle jiao.
- Damp-heat always obstructs qi movement.
- The manifestations include abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, incomplete defecation, and constipation.
- Heat is trapped inside due to an absence of sweating and dampness cannot pour downward due to dysuria.
- Consequently, damp-heat enters the liver and gallbladder causing an overflow of bile that results in bright yellow skin.
- Fluid transformation disturbed by damp-heat leads to thirst.
Clinical presentation
- A greasy and yellow tongue coating and a deep, rapid pulse indicate an accumulation of damp-heat.
Treatment strategy
- The therapeutic principles used to remedy this pattern are to clear heat, drain dampness, and relieve jaundice.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Yin Chen Hao Tang is for damp-heat (yang) jaundice. Yin Chen Wu Ling San is milder for damp-predominant or cold-damp jaundice. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang clears Liver-Gallbladder Fire more broadly. Da Cheng Qi Tang is for pure Yang Ming excess without primary jaundice focus.
Clinical Differentiation
- Yin Chen Hao Tang is a commonly used formula applicable for jaundice due to damp-heat with equal dampness and heat.
- This clinical pattern is marked by yellow discoloration of the skin, face, and eyes; the yellow is bright, deep and rapid pulse, or slippery, rapid, and powerful pulse.
Safety notes: Da Huang and Zhi Zi are cold. This formula is not appropriate for yin-yellow from cold-damp, nor for pregnancy without clear damp-heat yang jaundice.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Yin Chen Hao Tang?
Yin Chen Hao Tang has the actions of clearing Heat, draining Dampness, and resolving jaundice. It is the classic formula for Yang-type (Damp-Heat) jaundice caused by Damp-Heat obstructing the Liver and Gallbladder.
Which modern diseases is Yin Chen Hao Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Damp-Heat jaundice, including acute icteric hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholestasis, and certain hepatobiliary conditions presenting with bright yellow jaundice and Damp-Heat signs.
Is Yin Chen Hao Tang suitable for improving jaundice with dark urine?
For presentations of bright yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (like orange peel), scanty dark urine, abdominal fullness or distension, thirst, nausea, and a yellow greasy tongue coating — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Damp-Heat (Yang) jaundice — TCM commonly applies Yin Chen Hao Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
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Yin Chen Hao Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Damp-Heat Jaundice & Liver-Gallbladder Issues
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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.