Intrahepatic cholestasis results from the disturbance of the structure and function of bile secretory apparatus in hepatic cells. At present, the mechanism of the disease is still not clearly understood. The currently used Western medicine for liver-protective, cho1agogic and immuno-suppressive treatment are not effective enough. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, moisture, heat, stasis and toxin are the main factors of the etiology and pathogenesis of the jaundice in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis. Therefore, clearing away heat to drain dampness, cooling blood to remove toxin, activating blood to resolve stasis, soothing liver and invigorating spleen should be adopted in the treatment. In order to increase the therapeutic effects, rational application of traditional Chinese herbs combined with Western medicine should be emphasized in treating the disease under the doctrine of integration of syndrome differentiation and disease differentiation.

Key words: cholestasis, intrahepatic, treatment based on syndrome differentiation, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine