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(Also known as Shu Di Huang Wan. Invented by Li Dongyuan)

Treats deficiency of blood and qi, which fails to nourish the Heart, leading to flourishing Heart Fire and hyperactive Liver Wood. Symptoms include dilated pupils and blurred vision. (The Liver is the mother organ of the Heart; pathology in the child organ can cause excess in the mother organ. Thus, when Heart Fire flourishes, Liver Wood becomes excessive. The Liver governs Wind, and the Heart governs Fire. Dilated pupils are a symptom of disturbance by Wind and Fire. If Kidney Water fails to control Fire, the clear and harmonious Qi becomes disordered, and essence fluids dissipate accordingly. When essence fluids dissipate, the luster of the eyes is lost, resulting in blurred vision. *Bencao Gangmu* states: The Heart meridian connects to the eye system, and the Liver meridian connects to the eye system. The Shaoyang meridians of the Hand and Foot connect to the outer canthus. Wind-Heat attacks the head and eyes from this pathway, causing unilateral headache and swelling, and dilated pupils...)

Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang) (stir-fried with wine, 3 qian)
Raw Rehmannia Root (Sheng Di Huang) (one prescription uses 1.5 liang, another uses 7.5 qian)
Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) (8 qian)
Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin) (stir-fried with wine)
Angelica Sinensis Root (Dang Gui)
Immature Bitter Orange (Zhi Ke) (bran-stir-fried)

This formula consists of herbs acting on the Shaoyin meridians of the Hand and Foot, the Jueyin meridian of the Foot, and the Shaoyang meridians. Prepared Rehmannia Root and Angelica Sinensis Root nourish blood; Raw Rehmannia Root and Lycium Bark (Di Gu Pi) cool blood; Scutellaria Root drains Lung Fire; Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian) drains Liver Fire; Asparagus Tuber (Tian Dong) clears the Lung and nourishes the Kidney; Bupleurum Root soothes the Liver and raises Yang; Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi) astringes dissipation; Ginseng Root (Ren Shen) and Licorice Root (Gan Cao) tonify Qi and supplement the Middle; Immature Bitter Orange regulates Qi and moves stagnation (*Bencao* states: both Immature Bitter Orange and Mature Bitter Orange can brighten the eyes, hence they are frequently used in ophthalmic formulas).

(From *Yi Jian Fang*)

Treats deficiency of Qi in the Liver and Kidney, resulting in dim vision in both eyes. (The eyes are the orifice of the Liver; the spiritual light of the pupils belongs to the Kidney. Therefore, Liver and Kidney deficiency leads to dim vision.)

Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi)
Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi)
Plantago Seed (Che Qian Zi) (stir-fried, 2 liang)
Chinese Mulberry Fruit (Chu Shi)
Sichuan Pepper (Chuan Jiao) (stir-fried, 1 liang)
Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang)
Angelica Sinensis Root (Dang Gui) (5 liang)

Indications are the same.

This formula consists of herbs acting on the Shaoyin and Jueyin meridians of the Foot. Prepared Rehmannia Root and Goji Berry tonify the Liver and nourish the Kidney; Dodder Seed (Tu Si Zi) and Chinese Mulberry Fruit benefit essence and strengthen Yin; Schisandra Berry astringes dissipation and assists Metal and Water (Schisandra Berry has predominant sour and salty flavors, capable of astringing Lung Metal, nourishing Kidney Water, and constricting dilated pupils); Angelica Sinensis Root harmonizes Qi and Blood and benefits the Liver and Spleen (the Liver stores blood, the Spleen controls blood, and the eyes can see when nourished by blood); Sichuan Pepper supplements Fire to expel deficiency-cold in the Lower Jiao; Plantago Seed promotes urination and drains pathogenic Heat from the Liver and Kidney (Plantago Seed clears the Liver and brightens the eyes, promotes urination without depleting Qi. Adding this herb to drain pathogens makes the tonic herbs more effective. Zhang Hezi stated: Redness and swelling of the eyes are due to Wind-Heat in the Jueyin Liver meridian; promoting urination can eliminate Wind-Heat from the Liver meridian).