What are the safety considerations for Yinchen Five-Ingredient Pills?

Not appropriate for "cold-damp" patterns with a pale tongue and absence of yellowing, the formula is described as cooling and draining. Pregnant women should use only with qualified guidance, the formula contains several diuretic herbs and is generally not appropriate in early pregnancy. People on diuretics ("water pills") or blood-pressure medication should consult a clinician before use, the formula has documented diuretic effects. Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent digestive symptoms should be evaluated by a clinician, TCM self-care is not a substitute for evaluation of liver or biliary conditions.

Yinchen Five-Ingredient Pills

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A "qing-re li-shi, tui-huang" (clear heat, drain dampness, and reduce jaundice) formula from Zhang Zhongjing's "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet" (c. 220 CE), the canonical "damp-heat jaundice" formula.

Cultural reference - how this formula has been discussed in Chinese medical tradition. Not medical advice.

Background & origin

Compiled by Zhang Zhongjing in "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet" (《金匮要略》) around 220 CE as the canonical "damp-heat jaundice" formula, it combines Yinchen (Artemisia capillaris) with the classical Wuling San diuretic base. In Japan, it is sold as 茵陳五苓散 (いんちんごれいさん / Intin-goreisan) by Tsumura (ツムラ), Kracie (クラシエ), and Kotaro (小太郎) for "damp-heat" indications including yellowing-related symptoms. In Korea, it is sold as 인진오령산 (Injin-oryeong-san) by Kyungdong (경동) and is a fixture in hanbang product lines. The formula is a textbook example of "clear heat + drain dampness" combined with classical diuretic thinking.

From the source text

This page is cultural documentation, not medical advice.

From the source text · 卷中·黄疸病脉证并治·第 18 条

Classical text

黄疸病，茵陈五苓散主之。

Modern Chinese rendering

黄疸病，用茵陈五苓散主治。这是"清热利湿退黄"思路下"湿热黄疸"证的代表性条文：方子由茵陈蒿清利肝胆湿热为君，合五苓散利水渗湿以助退黄，使湿热从前阴而出，是中医"治黄不利小便非其治也"思路的源头方之一。

Editorial translation

For jaundice disorder, Yinchen Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria is the formula of choice. This is the canonical clause for the "damp-heat jaundice" reasoning in the "clear heat, drain dampness, and reduce jaundice" line of treatment: the formula uses Yinchenhao (Artemisia capillaris) as principal to clear damp-heat from the liver and gallbladder, combined with the classical Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) diuretic base to assist in reducing the jaundice by draining dampness downward through the urine. It is one of the historical sources of the later TCM principle that "to treat jaundice, one must promote urination, otherwise the treatment is incomplete".

In tradition

In TCM framing, traditionally used in the context of "damp-heat" affecting the liver and gallbladder channels, yellowing of the skin and eyes (in traditional framing), a heavy sensation in the body, scanty and dark urine, occasional nausea, and a yellow greasy tongue coating. The formula combines Yinchen (Artemisia capillaris), the chief herb for "damp-heat jaundice", with the classical Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) diuretic base. In Japan, it is sold as 茵陳五苓散 (Intin-goreisan) by Tsumura, Kracie, and Kotaro, and in Korea as 인진오령산 (Injin-oryeong-san) by Kyungdong.

Formula composition

Monarch1

Artemisia capillaris (Yīn Chén Hāo / 茵陈蒿)

Minister3

Alisma rhizome (Zé Xiè / 泽泻)
Poria (Fú Líng / 茯苓)
Polyporus (Zhū Líng / 猪苓)

Assistant1

Atractylodes macrocephala (Bái Zhú / 白术)

Envoy1

Cinnamon twig (Guì Zhī / 桂枝)

International availability

Japan (Kampo)

Tsumura & Co.ツムラOTC茵陳五苓散Inchin-orei-san

Korea (Hanbang)

Kyungdong경동OTC인진오령산Injin-oryeong-san

Taiwan & Hong Kong

順天堂OTC茵陳五苓散Yin Chen Wu Ling San

Cautions & context

Not appropriate for "cold-damp" patterns with a pale tongue and absence of yellowing, the formula is described as cooling and draining.
Pregnant women should use only with qualified guidance, the formula contains several diuretic herbs and is generally not appropriate in early pregnancy.
People on diuretics ("water pills") or blood-pressure medication should consult a clinician before use, the formula has documented diuretic effects.
Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent digestive symptoms should be evaluated by a clinician, TCM self-care is not a substitute for evaluation of liver or biliary conditions.

Related formulas

Other formulas from this text· "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet"

Other formulas by this contributor· Zhang Zhongjing

Related concerns

Concern · digestion

Digestion

Upper-abdominal heaviness, bloating, sour reflux, loose stools, traveler's stomach, and the aftermath of a meal that was richer, spicier, or larger than usual.

Editorial note

Compiled from "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet" (200).

Last reviewed: July 18, 2026

Three layers of evidence

Classical source

≈ 1800 years · "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet" (200)

Pharmacopoeia indication

"Activate yang and fortify the spleen, drain dampness and reduce jaundice. Used for dampness encumbering the spleen with bile overflowing: jaundice with yellowing of the body and eyes, and reduced urine output; also used for acute and chronic hepatitis with the above presentation."

Modern research status

As of 2026-07-18, a PubMed search using the formula name and the Latin / Korean / Japanese transliterations together with "systematic review" and "meta-analysis" did not identify a dedicated systematic review for this formula. Any clinical evidence that does exist is fragmented across small individual trials or covered in broad herbal-medicine umbrella reviews, which do not allow a per-formula evidence assessment; the absence of a dedicated SR is itself the relevant editorial fact here.

No systematic review identified on PubMed

Read our editorial method →

References

References reviewed on July 18, 2026 · PubMed search on 2026-07-18

01
ClassicalZhang Zhongjing, 《金匮要略》 (Jǐn Guì Yào Lüè / Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), Eastern Han dynasty, c. 200 CE, with the base formula appearing in clause 18 of the "jaundice disorder" section, the canonical text for the "damp-heat jaundice" reasoning and one of the historical sources of the TCM principle that "to treat jaundice one must promote urination".
02
TextbookDuan Fuqin (段富津) et al. (eds.), 《方剂学》 (Fāngjìxué / Textbook of Formulas), Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 1995, the standard modern university-level formula textbook in mainland China, with Yinchen Wuling San analysed as the representative "clear heat, drain dampness, reduce jaundice" formula combining Yinchenhao (Artemisia) as principal with the classical Wuling San diuretic base.
03
PharmacopoeiaChinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, 《中华人民共和国药典》 2020 年版一部 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Yàodiǎn, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2020 Edition, Vol. I), China Medical Science Press, 2020, the official monograph for Yinchen Wuling San / Yinchen Wuling Wan dosage forms.

Important Notice

The information on PCMWiki is for general educational and cultural reference only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, nor as a substitute for professional care.

Throughout this site, phrases such as "traditionally used for" or "in TCM tradition, often associated with" describe how a formula has been discussed within the Chinese medical tradition over centuries. They are cultural and historical descriptions, not claims that the product is effective, safe, or appropriate for any particular condition.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medication, managing a chronic condition, or considering any of these remedies for a child, please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner familiar with both Chinese and Western medicine before use. Stop use and seek care if you notice any unexpected reaction.

Last reviewed: July 18, 2026.