The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Diminished night vision can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like diminished night vision here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here diminished night vision is often associated with scanty periods, blurred vision and dizziness in the pattern “Liver Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause diminished night vision.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of diminished night vision we’ve identified two herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the two medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat diminished night vision.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause diminished night vision
In Chinese Medicine diminished night vision is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
The Liver stores Blood, that is the reason any Blood Deficiency often involves the Liver. This pattern has an impact on areas the Liver relates to, such as the tendons, eyes, nails and menstruation. It arises from the same causes of general Blood Deficiency, such as poor diet, hemorrhages or Kidney Qi or Essence Deficiency.
In addition to diminished night vision, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood Deficiency include scanty periods, blurred vision and dizziness.
Liver Blood Deficiency is often treated with Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Si Wu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Restores and nourishes Blood".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
This is a type of empty Fire pattern arising out of Liver Blood Deficiency or Kidney Yin Deficiency. It shares similar symptoms as Liver Blood Deficiency, but with extra signs of Dryness and Yin-Deficient Heat. It can be caused by excessive activity, overwork, 'burning the candle at both ends' without sufficient rest, and poor and irregular diet.
In addition to diminished night vision, other symptoms associated with Liver Yin Deficiency include scanty periods, blurred vision and dizziness.
Liver Yin Deficiency is often treated with Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Qi Ju Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin".
Two herbal formulas that might help with diminished night vision
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with diminished night vision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Deficiency' of which diminished night vision is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Blood Deficiency include scanty periods, blurred vision and dizziness.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with diminished night vision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' of which diminished night vision is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Yin Deficiency include scanty periods, blurred vision and dizziness.
The two Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat diminished night vision
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with diminished night vision?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat diminished night vision as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with diminished night vision?
Because it is a key herb in Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Deficiency' (a pattern with diminished night vision as a symptom)
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Other symptoms often associated with diminished night vision
Scanty periods Blurred vision Dizziness Numbness in the limbs Insomnia Floaters in eyes Amenorrhea Muscle weakness Cramps Withered and brittle nails