Formula Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify

Ming Mu Di Huang Wan

明目地黄丸

Also known as:

Improve Vision Pill with Rehmannia pill

Formula Composition

Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Yao
Shan Yao
Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Gou Qi Zi
Gou Qi Zi
Ju Hua
Ju Hua
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Ji Li
Ji Li
Shi Jue Ming
Shi Jue Ming
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Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
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Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Nourishes the Liver
  2. Enriches the Kidneys
  3. Improves the vision

Patterns Treated

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

Historical Origin

Scrutiny of the Priceless fade Case (1642 AD )

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ming Mu Di Huang Wan

Main Actions

Nourishes the Liver
Enriches the Kidneys
Improves the vision

Key TCM Concepts

Ming Mu Di Huang Wan is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) and Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1642 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes the Liver and 2) enriches the Kidneys.

 

On this page, after a detailed description of each of the twelve ingredients in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Ming Mu Di Huang Wan helps treat.

 

Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

Ingredients in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang

Prepared rehmannia

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."

In the context of Ming Mu Di Huang Wan, it is used because it strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
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Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Zhu Yu

Cornelian cherries

Temperature Warm
Taste Sour
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe sarcocarp
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Shan Zhu Yu nourishes the Liver and restrains the leakage of Essence. It performs the latter function by inhibiting the improper dispersion and drainage through the Liver, thereby enabling the Essence to build up in the Kidneys. For this to occur, a substance with the strong, Essence building properties of the key herb (Prepared rehmannia) is also required.
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Shan Yao
Shan Yao

Yam

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Shan Yao stabilizes the Essence by tonifying the Spleen, which is the source of post-heaven Essences Indeed, to reinforce Essence and improve its function, the Spleen (the source of postnatal Essence) must function properly.
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Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi

Mudan peony bark

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Root barks
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Mu Dan Pi clears and drains Liver Fire and is used here to counterbalance the warm properties of Cornelian cherries (Shan Zhu Yu).
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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."

In the context of Ming Mu Di Huang Wan, it is used because it nourishes and moves the Blood. It also moistens the Intestines so as to encourage bowel movement.
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Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Ze Xie clears and drains the overabundance of Kidney Fire. It is used here to prevent the rich, cloying properties of the key herb (Prepared rehmannia) from congesting the mechanisms of the Kidneys, which would induce even more Heat from Deficiency.
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Fu Ling is a bland herb that leaches out Dampness from the Spleen. It notably helps Yam (Shan Yao) strengthen the transportive functions of the Spleen. This prevents the formula from clogging up the digestive process and reinforces the Spleen's function of nourishing the body. Poria-cocos mushrooms also works together with the Water plantain (Ze Xie) to improve the metabolism of Fluids and promote urination, thereby preventing a buildup of stagnant Fluids.
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Gou Qi Zi
Gou Qi Zi

Goji berries

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Gou Qi Zi tonifies the Liver and Kidneys' Yin and Blood so as to brighten the eyes. It also moistens the Lung and stop coughing.
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Ju Hua
Ju Hua

Chrysanthemum flowers

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried capitulum
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Ju Hua clears Wind-Heat in the Liver so as to brighten the eyes. It also clears Toxic-Heat to reduce swelling.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Bai Shao nourishes the Blood to support Yin and suppress Liver Yang Rising. It also soothes the Liver to relieve pain.
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Ji Li
Ji Li

Puncture vine fruits

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Ji Li suppresses Liver Yang Rising and Liver Qi Stagnation. Therefore it is able to relieve symptoms such as red eyes with excessive tears, skin itching due to Liver Wind or hypertension.
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Shi Jue Ming
Shi Jue Ming

Abalone shells

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Shell
Role in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
In general Shi Jue Ming's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms ascending Liver Yang. Clears Liver Heat that is obstructing the vision."

In the context of Ming Mu Di Huang Wan, it is used because it calms the Liver Yang so as to brighten the eyes. It also stops bleeding.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ming Mu Di Huang Wan

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Those with acute conjunctivitis should avoid using it. This condition is characterized by reddening and congestion of the whites of the eyes, photophobia, tearing, and excessive eye discharge.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ming Mu Di Huang Wan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.