Qi Ju Di Huang Wan: A TCM Formula for Nourishing Liver and Kidneys and Enhancing Vision
Hongji Medical- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, sourced from Medical Formulas Collected and Analyzed (Yi Fang Ji Jie), is a widely used Chinese medicine formula for nourishing and improving eyesight. It builds on the famous nourishing formula Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with added Qi Zi (Goji Berry) and Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) to nourish the liver and kidneys and enhance vision.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Formula Explanation
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan’s ingredients are grouped according to the "monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy" principle:
Monarch Herb:
Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia): Nourishes yin, boosts blood, and strengthens the marrow. As the monarch herb, it primarily nourishes the liver and kidneys, enhancing essence and marrow.
Minister Herbs:
Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus): Nourishes the liver and kidneys and generates fluids, assisting the monarch herb in boosting vitality.
Shan Yao (Yam): Strengthens the spleen and lungs, consolidates essence, and prevents leakage, supporting the monarch and minister herbs.
Assistant Herbs:
Qi Zi (Goji Berry): Nourishes the liver and kidneys, enhances vision, and boosts blood, added to improve eyesight.
Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum): Clears heat, detoxifies, disperses wind, and improves vision, addressing heat-related eye issues.
Fu Ling (Poria): Drains dampness and strengthens the spleen and qi, preventing dampness from affecting liver and kidney function.
Ze Xie (Alisma): Drains dampness and clears heat, reducing swelling and supporting water metabolism.
Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark): Cools blood, resolves stasis, and clears heat, addressing heat-related symptoms.
Envoy Herb:
Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Processed Licorice): Harmonizes the formula and moderates the herbs’ properties, ensuring balanced effects.
Pathophysiology of Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan primarily treats eye conditions caused by liver-kidney yin deficiency. The pathophysiology can be analyzed as follows:
Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency
The liver stores blood, and the kidneys store essence, with both organs closely linked, as essence and blood mutually generate each other.
When liver and kidney yin are deficient, essence and blood are insufficient, leading to undernourished eyes and various eye disorders. Symptoms include:
Dizziness and Blurred Vision: Blurred or dim vision due to insufficient essence and blood failing to nourish the eyes.
Visual Impairment: Reduced clarity and vision loss from lack of nourishment to the eyes.
Dry Eyes: Dryness and discomfort in the eyes due to inadequate lubrication from deficient essence and blood.
Light Sensitivity and Tearing: Increased sensitivity to light and excessive tearing due to poor nourishment of the eyes.
Deficient Fire Rising
Liver-kidney yin deficiency can lead to deficient fire rising, worsening eye symptoms. This occurs when internal heat from yin deficiency disturbs the eyes, causing:
Dizziness and Tinnitus: Dizziness and ringing in the ears due to deficient fire rising to the head.
Weakness in the Lower Back and Knees: Weakness and soreness in the lower back and knees from insufficient essence and blood.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats: Hot flashes and sweating at night due to internal heat from yin deficiency.
Effects of Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan nourishes the liver and kidneys and improves vision. Its main effects include:
Nourishing Liver and Kidneys: Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, and Qi Zi strengthen the liver and kidneys, boosting overall vitality.
Enhancing Essence and Vision: By nourishing essence and blood, the formula supports eye health and improves vision.
Clearing Heat and Fire: Ju Hua clears liver fire and disperses wind-heat, treating eye issues caused by heat.
Dispersing Wind and Improving Vision: Ju Hua relieves eye discomfort by dispersing wind.
Strengthening Spleen and Qi: Shan Yao and Fu Ling strengthen the spleen, boost qi, and clear dampness, supporting liver and kidney function and eye health.
Modern Applications of Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
In modern medicine, Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is widely used for eye disorders related to liver-kidney yin deficiency, including:
Central Serous Retinopathy: Improves vision and reduces eye discomfort.
Optic Neuritis: Effective for patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency, improving optic nerve health.
Age-Related Cataracts: Slows progression and enhances vision in cataracts.
Myopia: Relieves dryness and blurred vision in nearsighted patients.
Dry Eye Syndrome: Nourishes the eyes to alleviate dryness and discomfort.
Precautions
When using Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, note the following:
Caution for Weak Spleen-Stomach: Avoid in patients with weak digestion or loose stools to prevent worsening spleen-stomach function.
Avoid During Colds with Fever: Do not use during feverish colds to avoid interfering with recovery.
Guidance for Special Groups: Pregnant women and children should use under medical supervision for safety.
Dietary Restrictions: Avoid spicy, greasy, or heavy foods during treatment to maintain efficacy.
Long-Term Use: Consult a physician or pharmacist for prolonged use to ensure safety.
Conclusion
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is a widely used Chinese medicine formula for nourishing and improving eyesight, building on Liu Wei Di Huang Wan with added Qi Zi and Ju Hua. It effectively treats eye disorders caused by liver-kidney yin deficiency, such as blurred vision, dry eyes, light sensitivity, and tearing.
In modern medicine, it is used for conditions like central serous retinopathy, optic neuritis, cataracts, myopia, and dry eye syndrome. Proper syndrome differentiation, formula adjustments, and lifestyle changes are essential for optimal results.
