Source: Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Diseases).
 
Ingredients:
No. 1 Yinchenhao (Herba Artemisiae Capillaris) 18 g;
No. 2 Zhizi (Fructus Gardeniae) 9 g;
No. 3 Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 6 g.

Administration:
Decoct the above drugs in water for oral application.

Actions:
Clearing away heat, removing dampness, and relieving jaundice.
   
Clinical Application:
This recipe is indicated for jaundice due to damp heat, marked by bright yellowish skin and eyes, slight fullness in the abdomen, thirst, difficult urination, greasy and yellowish fur, deep and rapid pulse. It is applicable to jaundice as seen in acute icteric hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis and leptospirosis, which pertains to accumulation of damp heat in the interior and is characterized by bright yellowish skin and greasy yellowish fur. In case of excessive dampness, add Fuling (Poria) and Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis) to promote diuresis. In case of excessive heat, add Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri) and Longdancao (Radix Gentianae) to clear away heat. In case of hypochondriac pain, add Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri) and Chuanlianzi (Fructus Mediae Toosendan) to disperse the stagnated liver-qi.

Elucidation:
The syndrome is caused by accumulation of dampness and heat in the interior, causing heat to fail to disperse out and dampness fail to be excreted. It should be treated by clearing away heat and removing dampness. No. 1 is monarch drug with the effect of clearing away heat and promoting diuresis. No. 2 can purge away intense heat and eliminate damp heat through urination, acting as minister drug. No. 3 is capable of removing heat accumulation through defecation and used as adjuvant drug. The three together can eliminate dampness and heat separately through urination or defecation so that jaundice will disappear.

Cautions: This recipe is contraindicated for patients with yin jaundice.