明目地黃丸

4. Granule conversion and dose

• Calculation of the total crude herb weight of the original formula (estimated based on common patent medicine ratios):
  • Shu Di Huang (prepared rehmannia root) 24 g + Shan Zhu Yu (cornus fruit) 12 g + Gou Qi Zi (goji berry) 12 g + Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) 9 g + Bai Shao (white peony root) 9 g + Ju Hua (chrysanthemum flower) 9 g + Ji Li (tribulus fruit) 6 g + Shan Yao (Chinese yam) 12 g + Ze Xie (alisma rhizome) 9 g + Dan Pi (moutan bark) 9 g + Fu Ling (poria) 9 g + Shi Jue Ming (abalone shell) 6 g = 126 g.
• Recommended dose and method of administration:
  • One dose daily, taken in two portions dissolved in lightly salted broth. Avoid radish (Luo Bo) during treatment.
  • Recommended to be taken after meals.
  • Each dose is 9 g.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

1. [Contraindications]: Most of the herbs in this formula are yin-nourishing in nature and tend to be rich and cloying; therefore, it should be used with caution in those with Spleen-stomach deficiency cold, poor appetite, or loose stools. It is not suitable for red, swollen, and painful eyes due to liver-channel wind-heat or liver-gallbladder damp-heat.
2. Dietary restrictions: Avoid spicy and greasy foods during treatment.
3. Modern applications: This formula is widely used for dry eye syndrome, visual fatigue, early-stage senile cataract, vitreous opacity, central serous chorioretinopathy, and hypertension, when these present with a pattern of liver-kidney yin deficiency.
4. Duration of use: Eye disorders are mostly chronic conditions and require sustained use for a certain duration of treatment under a physician's guidance. This may be combined with eye care measures such as gazing into the distance and eye exercises to enhance the therapeutic effect.