Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang: A Classic Formula for Nourishing Kidneys and Improving Vision
Hongji Medical- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang comes from the Ming Dynasty physician Wan Quan’s Wanbing Huichun (Restoration of Health from All Diseases).
It is used to treat symptoms caused by mental strain, kidney deficiency, and low blood, such as eye pain, sore or uncomfortable eyes, tearing in the wind, dizziness, blurred vision, or dim vision. In ancient times, stress and environmental factors often led to these issues, causing discomfort.
Wan Quan detailed the formula’s composition and uses in Wanbing Huichun, highlighting its effectiveness in nourishing qi and blood and clearing heat to improve vision.
Formula Explanation of Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang
Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang consists of 14 herbs: Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, Shu Di Huang, Sheng Di Huang, Ren Shen, Jie Geng, Zhi Zi, Bai Zhi, Huang Lian, Gan Ju Hua, Man Jing Zi, Cha Ye (tea leaves), and Deng Xin Cao.
These are organized according to the Chinese medicine principle of “monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy”:
Monarch Herbs: Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, Shu Di Huang, Sheng Di Huang. These five herbs nourish blood and support liver and kidney yin and blood. Dang Gui (warm) nourishes blood and improves deficiency; Chuan Xiong (warm) activates blood and qi, enhancing local circulation and clearing toxins; Bai Shao (cold) nourishes blood, soothes the liver, and relieves pain; Shu Di Huang (warm) nourishes blood and yin; Sheng Di Huang (cold) clears heat, cools blood, generates fluids, and harmonizes the formula.
Supporting Herbs: Ren Shen, Gan Cao. These boost central qi. Ren Shen (warm) greatly strengthens vital energy, supports heart and spleen, and enhances vitality; Gan Cao (warm) harmonizes the formula and relieves pain.
Assistant/Envoy Herbs: Huang Lian, Zhi Zi, Gan Ju Hua, Man Jing Zi, Bai Zhi, Jie Geng, Cha Ye, Deng Xin Cao. Huang Lian and Zhi Zi (both cold) clear liver heat; Huang Lian clears heat, dries dampness, and detoxifies, while Zhi Zi clears heat and reduces jaundice. Gan Ju Hua and Man Jing Zi clear liver heat to improve vision. Bai Zhi and Jie Geng disperse wind and clear the head and eyes. Cha Ye and Deng Xin Cao clear heat and promote urination.
Pathogenesis Analysis of Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang
Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang targets symptoms from mental strain, kidney deficiency, and low blood, including eye pain, sore or uncomfortable eyes, tearing in the wind, dizziness, blurred vision, or dim vision.
In Chinese medicine, the liver and kidneys are closely linked: the liver stores blood, and the kidneys store essence.
When liver and kidney yin are deficient, blood becomes insufficient, failing to nourish the eyes, leading to eye pain, soreness, tearing, dizziness, or blurred vision. Mental strain depletes qi and blood, worsening liver and kidney yin deficiency, resulting in these symptoms. These issues often involve weak qi and blood, liver-kidney yin deficiency, and wind-heat pathogens.
Main Effects of Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang
Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang’s primary effects are nourishing qi and blood and clearing heat to improve vision. It works through:
Nourishing qi and blood to address deficiency.
Clearing heat to brighten the eyes.
Boosting central qi to enhance vitality.
Clearing liver heat to reduce inflammation.
Dispersing wind to clear head and eye symptoms.
Promoting urination to clear internal heat.
The formula’s herbs work together: Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, Shu Di Huang, and Sheng Di Huang nourish blood and liver-kidney yin; Ren Shen and Gan Cao boost qi; Huang Lian and Zhi Zi clear liver heat; Gan Ju Hua and Man Jing Zi improve vision; Bai Zhi and Jie Geng clear wind; Cha Ye and Deng Xin Cao reduce internal heat.
Modern Applications
In modern medicine, Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang is widely used for conditions linked to mental strain, kidney deficiency, and low blood affecting the eyes:
Cataracts: Improves blurred vision and eye soreness by nourishing qi and blood, clearing heat, and boosting vitality.
Retinal Disorders: Relieves blurred vision and eye discomfort through nourishing and heat-clearing effects.
Optic Nerve Atrophy: Eases vision issues and eye soreness by supporting qi, blood, and yin.
Eye Fatigue: Reduces blurred vision and soreness from strain with its nourishing and clearing actions.
Floaters: Improves vision and eye comfort by addressing deficiency and heat.
Vision Impairment: Relieves blurred or dim vision through comprehensive nourishment and heat-clearing.
Precautions
When using Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang, keep the following in mind:
Pattern Differentiation: It targets kidney deficiency, low blood, and eye issues like soreness, tearing, or blurred vision. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to confirm suitability based on symptoms and constitution.
Contraindications: Not suitable for patients with excess heat, true fire, or excess conditions, as its warming and nourishing nature may worsen these.
Conclusion
Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang, a time-honored formula from Wanbing Huichun, is a classic remedy for kidney deficiency, low blood, and eye-related symptoms. Its unique composition and proven effectiveness make it valuable in Chinese medicine practice. By understanding its origins, composition, indications, effects, and modern applications, we see its significant role in treating eye conditions, blending traditional wisdom with modern therapeutic value.
