味咸，性平，无毒。入肝经。
青盲内障、翳膜遮睛。赤肿眶烂，泪出羞明。
此马蹄决明也，以决能明目，故得此名。另有草决明、石决明与之同功，而各为一种。
石决
明独与云母石相反。
味甘、性平，无毒。入肝经。酒润，焙。
养营和血，退翳开光。大人 泪羞明，小儿痘疳攻眼。
独入东方，为涤热和营之用，故治目之外，无他长也。
味甘，性温，无毒。入肝经。汤浸，去皮、尖，水煮过，研膏。
退翳膜赤筋，理 伤泪出。破心下结痰，除腹中痞气。
外能散风，内能清热，肝气和则目疾愈。痰痞皆热邪为祟，故宜并主。
目疾不缘风热，而因于虚者勿用。
味甘、苦，性平，无毒。入肝经。
迎风流泪，翳膜遮睛。
木贼为磋擦之需，故入肝而伐木。去节者善发汗，中空而轻，有升散之力也。
木贼，多服损肝，不宜久用。
味辛，性寒。入肝经。恶白薇、白蔹，淘净，焙用。
明目活血、行瘀清积。
即蝙蝠矢也，因食蚊，砂皆蚊眼，故治目疾。本草称其下死胎，则其攻血积也，何疑。
味咸，性平，无毒。入脾、肝二经。
除热平肝，安神明目。治惊 而不眠，退遮睛之翳膜。
此物煎汤须打碎或研末。外用点眼须水飞。
（见食疗）
（见外治）
（见外治）
味苦、涩，性大寒，无毒。入肝、胆二经。恶地黄。酒浸炒。
大苦大寒，性沉而降，主肝胆热邪，耳鸣头胀。清下焦湿火，阴痒生疮。火炎上而咽痛，
湿
蕴中以目黄。小儿高热惊痫，成人伤寒发狂。
禀纯阴之气，但以荡涤肝胆之热为职。
龙胆大苦大寒，苟非气壮实热之证，不能率尔轻投。
Salty, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver Meridian (Liver Channel).
Treats Qingmang internal cataract (blurred vision and intraocular turbidity) and Yi membrane covering the pupil (corneal opacity obstructing vision). Red swelling and ulceration of the orbital rim, tearing with photophobia (aversion to light).
This is Matijue Ming (Cassiae Semen), named for its ability to "Jue" (clear/resolve) vision. There are also Caojue Ming (Cassiae Fructus) and Shijueming (Haliotidis Concha) with similar efficacy, but they are distinct species.
Shijueming (Haliotidis Concha) is uniquely contraindicated with Yunmushi (Micae Lamina).
Sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver Meridian. Moisten with wine, then roast.
Nourishes Ying (Nutritive Qi) and harmonizes Blood, reduces corneal opacity and restores vision. Treats adults with tearing and photophobia, and children with Dougan attacking the eyes (eye lesions caused by smallpox or malnutrition-related Gan syndrome).
It enters exclusively into the East (corresponding to the Liver), serving to clear heat and harmonize Ying, thus having no other major indications besides treating eye diseases.
Sweet, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver Meridian. Soak in decoction, remove skin and tips, boil in water, then grind into paste.
Reduces corneal opacity and red filaments, regulates trauma-induced tearing. Breaks up phlegm stagnation below the heart, removes abdominal distension and Qi stagnation.
Externally it disperses Wind, internally it clears Heat; when Liver Qi is harmonized, eye diseases heal. Phlegm and distension are both caused by Heat pathogens, so it is suitable for treating both.
Do not use if the eye disease is not due to Wind-Heat, but rather due to Deficiency.
Sweet and bitter, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver Meridian.
Tearing upon exposure to wind, corneal opacity covering the pupil.
Mu Zei (Equiseti Herba) is needed for abrasion/polishing, thus entering the Liver to subdue Wood (regulate Liver Qi). Those without nodes are good at inducing sweating; hollow and light, it has ascending and dispersing properties.
Mu Zei damages the Liver if taken in large doses; it should not be used for a long time.
Pungent, cold in nature. Enters the Liver Meridian. Adverse with Baiwei (Bletillae Rhizoma) and Bailian (Ampelopsis Radix). Wash clean, roast before use.
Brightens the eyes, invigorates Blood, moves stasis, and clears accumulation.
It is bat feces. Because bats eat mosquitoes, the gritty particles in the feces are mosquito eyes, hence it treats eye diseases. Materia Medica states it expels dead fetus; thus, its ability to attack blood accumulations is beyond doubt.
Salty, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Spleen and Liver Meridians.
Clears heat, calms the Liver, soothes the Spirit, and brightens the eyes. Treats palpitations and insomnia, reduces corneal opacity covering the pupil.
When decocting, this substance must be crushed or ground into powder. For external eye application, it requires water levigation (shuifei).
(See Food Therapy section)
(See External Treatment section)
(See External Treatment section)
Bitter and astringent, extremely cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Adverse with Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix). Soak in wine and stir-fry.
Extremely bitter and cold, with a sinking and descending nature. It primarily treats Heat pathogens in the Liver and Gallbladder, tinnitus, and head distension. Clears damp-fire from the Lower Jiao, treating genital itching and sores. Fire flaming upward causes sore throat; Dampness accumulating internally causes yellow eyes. High fever with convulsions in children, mania due to Shanghan (Cold Damage) in adults.
Endowed with pure Yin Qi, its primary function is to sweep away Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder.
Longdan (Gentianae Radix) is extremely bitter and cold; unless the condition involves robust constitution and excess Heat, it should not be administered lightly.