Origins: Scrutiny of the Priceless Jade

Ming Mu Formula Ming Mu Di Huang Wan Case (Shen Shi Yao Han) by Fu Ren-
Yu, 1642.

Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan) is a variation of Rehmannia Six Formula (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan) with
modifications to direct its actions to nourish the eyes. This modification was first published in 1642 by Fu Ren-Yu, in his
book Scrutiny of the Priceless Jade Case (Shen Shi Yao Han).
General Signs/Symptoms
Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan) addresses chronic issues of the eyes and vision due to deficiency.

Classical Actions
1. Nourishes kidney and liver yin, benefits the jing/ [Link] vision and benefits the eyes
essence 4. Improves vision and benefits the eyes
2. Nourishes liver blood and extinguishes liver wind

Ingredients
Pinyin Latin English Percent of Formula
Shu Di Huang (chief) Rehmannia glutinosa Rehmannia (cured root tuber) 14.9%
Chai Hu (deputy) Bupleurum chinense Bupleurum Root 7.4%
Dang Gui (assistant) Angelica sinensis Dong Quai, Tang Kuei Root 7.4%
Gou Qi Zi (deputy) Lycium chinense Lycium Fruit, Chinese Wolfberry 7.4%
Sheng Di Huang (assistant) Rehmannia glutinosa Rehmannia (unprocessed root tuber) 7.4%
Shan Yao (deputy) Dioscorea oppositifolia Chinese Yam, Dioscorea Rhizome 7.4%
Shan Zhu Yu (deputy) Cornus officinalis Asiatic Dogwood, Cornus Fruit (w/o seed) 7.4%
Ze Xie (assistant) Alisma plantago-aquatica Asian Water Plantain Rhizome 7.4%
Mu Dan Pi (assistant) Paeonia suffruticosa Tree Peony Root Bark 7.4%
Fu Ling (assistant) Wolfiporia cocos Poria Sclerotium, Tuckahoe, Hoelen 7.4%
Wu Wei Zi (assistant) Schisandra chinensis Northern Schisandra Fruit 7.4%
Bai Ji Li (deputy) Tribulus terrestris Tribulus, Puncturevine Fruit 7.4%
Ju Hua (deputy) Dendranthema x grandiflorum/chrysanthemi Chrysanthemum Flower 3.7%
General Indications / Modern Applications
• Cataracts • Nocturnal emissions • Tinnitus
• Eyes, excessive tearing • Palms and soles, hot • Vision, blurred
• Eyes, dry, red or itchy • Photophobia • Vision, gradual loss of
• Eye strain • Retinopathy • Vision, weak
• Glaucoma • Retinitis • Weakness of low back/hips/knees
• Macular degeneration • Spermatorrhea
Formula Discussion
Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan) is a variation of Rehmannia Six Formula (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan)
modified to benefit the eyes and vision. Rehmannia Six Formula (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan) came into prominence as
the paradigmatic formula for nourishing kidney yin during the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th Centuries). It was created by
a Song Dynasty physician named Qian Yi in 1119 CE as a pediatric formula to help prenatal essence unfold into post-
natal jing. It was used to address the “Five Slownesses” (wŭ chí) and “Five Limpnesses” (wŭ ruăn). The Five Slownesses
were slowness of the infant to learn to stand, start walking, prout hair, cut teeth, and a delay in beginning to speak.i
The Five Limpnesses were softness of the head (failure of the fontanel to close) and all of the signs of what we today
call hypotonia or “floppy infant syndrome.” All ten of these deficiencies reflect an insufficiency of the jing/essence to
support proper growth and development.
Qian based his formula on Zhang Zhong-Jing’s Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) but completely transformed it from a
geriatric qi and yang tonic into a pediatric jing/essence support. Jing/essence is a subcategory of kidney yin; it contains
the blueprint for our growth. The jing/essence enters circulation via the sanjiao mechanism, which originates between
Ming Mu Formula Monograph © January 2025, Herbal Medicine Press
 Formula Actions
2
the kidneys and travels up the spine to distribute the jing/essence into the
Ming Mu Formula
• Nourishes kidney and organs via the back shu [Link] Each zang organ stores a portion of the jing/
liver yin, benefits the jing/ essence provided to it from the sanjiao mechanism and is able to transform it
essence according to its own “essential” character. That is to say that the jing/essence
• Nourishes liver blood and stored in the liver will become liver essence; the jing/essence stored in the lungs
extinguishes liver wind will become lung essence, [Link]
• Sedates fire
• Improves vision and The secondary way that the jing/essence is distributed is through the blood.
benefits the eyes Blood not only carries nourishment to the organs, it also receives (then distrib-
utes) contributions from the individual [Link] The blood is also the means
Tongue by which prenatal qi and essence become postnatal qi. This happens primarily
Tongue will show signs of yin at St-30 (Qi Chong) and through the first trajectory of Chong Vessel. Qian un-
deficiency such as peeled coat, dry, derstood appreciated the relationship between prenatal qi and postnatal qi. He
dark red body, possibly with red
understood that that the two mutually support one another and that the Five
spots.
Limpnesses and the Five Slownesses in infants and children was an issue not
Pulse of a deficiency of kidney yang, of which youth always possesses an abundance,
Thin, especially in the left chi but a matter of the yin-essence being unable to unfold normally; this perspec-
position. May be rapid. tive includes the idea that there is a dysregulated relationship between prenatal
and postnatal qi. This is why he replaced the unprepared rehmannia (sheng di
Contraindications / Notes
It is contraindicated to consume huang) with prepared rehmannia (shu di huang): because the prepared form is
turnips while taking formulas the strongest substance in the materia medica for generating essence and is at
that build yin and nourish blood, the same time a “superior herb for tonifying the blood.”v It is also why he omit-
especially if the target for nourish- ted the yang tonics from Zhang’s original.
ment is in the upper body. This is
So, Qian adapted a Han Dynasty yang tonic in order to treat children with
because turnips are bitter, break
up accumulations and direct them an apparent jing/essence insufficiency during the Song Dynasty. Around 400
downward. Turnips are, therefore, years later, Ming Dynasty physicians saw in Qian’s formula, an elegant way of
more appropriate to facilitate nourishing the kidney and liver yin in the aging population. At the very end
the action of purging formulas of the Ming Dynasty, Fu Ren-Yu published a further modification of Liu Wei
or downward-draining formulas. Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia Six Formula) intended to “brighten the eyes” by
They are especially effective to nourishing the essence, the kidney and liver yin, and the liver blood, and by
guide phlegm out of the body gently draining excess accumulated in the eyes.
from the lungs or digestive tract.
In addition to the base formula of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Fu Ren-Yu added
Another general caution for yin/ bupleurum (chai hu) to lift the formula upward and angelica root (dang gui) to
blood-nourishing formulas is
nourish blood, and re-introduced the unprocessed form of rehmannia (sheng
to note their poor digestibility.
di) from Zhang’s original Han Dynasty formula to help clear heat and nour-
Some patients, namely those with
marked middle burner qi deficien- ish yin. Finally, he added schisandra (wu wei zi), not only because it helps to
cy, may have difficulty breaking astringe the essence and preserve qi, but because it also possessed the ability to
down such formulas, due to the “brighten the eyes." The present formulation adds three additional ingredients
cloying nature of these substances. to Fu’s formula to augment its ability to nourish and brighten the eyes.

Dosage Synergy of Ingredients

Two tablets, three times per day. Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan) consists of a base of Rehman-
nia Six Formula (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan) plus seven other ingredients. The
proportions of each of the original six ingredients add up to just 51.9% of
the version of Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan) under present
discussion, providing the formula with a solid base of addressing the underly-
ing deficiencies of kidney and liver yin. The remaining ingredients steer the
formula to the eyes for “brightening,” nourish blood, and clear minor obstruc-
tions to restore function.
The base formula of Rehmannia Six Formula (Liu Wei the kidneys for this very reason. The sixth and final in-
Di Huang Wan) consists of three tonic substances and gredient of the base formula is poria (fu ling). Poria (fu
three draining substances. The chief is prepared rehm- ling) is seen to compensate for the potentially stagnating
annia (shu di huang), which nourishes yin, blood, and properties of dioscorea (shan yao). Because even though
essence. Some herbalists think of prepared rehmannia dioscorea (shan yao) strengthens the spleen qi, it does
as the yin complement to ginseng (ren shen). That is to not really improve its function to transport. The inclu-
say that prepared rehmannia is to the yin, blood, and es- sion of poria (fu ling), therefore, completes the tonifica-
sence, what ginseng is to the qi. It is the most important tion of the spleen qi while also, along with Asian water
substance for nourishing the kidneys and liver, but it plantain (ze xie) regulating the waterways.
also enters the heart. Prepared rehmannia (shu di huang)
To the base formula Fu Ren-Yu added bupleurum (chai
augments the marrow and has a marked effect on im-
hu) to lift the formula upward so that the nourishing
proving vision. It enters the Chong and Ren channels
actions could reach the eyes. He added angelica root
and is therefore one of the most common substances in
(dang gui) to augment the blood-nourishing action. He
gynecological [Link] The other two tonics from the
also re-introduced the unprocessed rehmannia (sheng di
base formula are cornus fruit (shan zhu yu) and Chinese
huang) that was in Zhang Zhong-Jing’s Shen Qi Wan. It
yam/ dioscorea (shan yao). Both of these stabilize the
combines with the chief to nourish the kidneys and liver,
essence and benefit the kidneys. Cornus (shan zhu yu) is
and with the moutan (mu dan pi) to clear heat from the
often combined with prepared rehmannia (shu di huang)
blood.
because together their ability to build essence is greater
than either substance possesses on its own. Dioscorea Normally, schisandra (wu wei zi) occupies a smaller per-
(shan yao) builds essence through supporting the con- centage of a formula than the other ingredients, because,
nection between postnatal qi and prenatal qi. It enters if you are supplementing qi and essence, then you nor-
the lungs, spleen, and kidney to tonify qi and yin directly. mally don’t need to have a strong action to contain the
It can also help restore the body’s ability to supplement leakage of the qi. Mild astringence suffices. So, it seems
itself. Long-term use of dioscorea (shan yao) can eventu- that perhaps Fu Ren-Yu is using schisandra fruit a little
ally reverse qi and yin deficiency by a) supporting the differently, because in his formula, it is equal to all the
three zang responsible for generating qi and yin, and b) other ingredients, except for the chief. And, while it is
regulating their relationship: it tonifies Earth (spleen), true that in some early dynasties the ingredients of for-
which supports Metal (lungs), which in turn supports mulas were often put together in roughly identical pro-
Water (kidneys). In addition, dioscorea (shan yao) has a portions, this was certainly not the case during the Ming
mild ability to astringe the essence. Dynasty when Fu published his formula. The question
is then begged: why is Fu using schisandra fruit (wu wei
Over the centuries, herbalists have come to see the three
zi) in a larger than normal proportion? Apparently, Fu
draining substances of Rehmannia Six Formula (Liu
was aware of the claim by Song Dynasty physicians that
Wei Di Huang Wan) as compensating for specific ten-
schisandra (wu wei zi) possessed an action to brighten
dencies in the tonics, especially their tendency to warm
the eyes;vii Li Gao, the founder of the Earth School,
and to be sticky. It is important with sticky substances to
noted that schisandra fruit (wu wei zi) had an effect on
keep the waterways open and regulated; and when heat
the [Link] This under-utilized direct affect upon the
is building up from tonics, it requires clearing or drain-
eyes seems to have influenced schisandra’s representation
ing. Tree peony root bark/ moutan (mu dan pi) clears
in Fu’s formula.
excess heat and ascending fire, cools the blood, and clears
fire from deficiency. It also has an action to invigorate the The present formulation slightly augments Fu’s formula
blood. These actions are seen to compensate specifically even further. It includes a modification from the Yuan
for the warming effects that cornus (shan zhu yu) has Dynasty (late 13th to mid-14th centuries) with the ad-
Ming Mu Formula 3

on the liver, although it also clears deficiency heat from dition of just two more herbs. By adding lycium fruit
the kidneys. The Asian water plantain (ze xie) is seen to (gou qi zi) and chrysanthemum flower (ju hua) to Rehm-
compensate for the warming action the chief ingredient annia Six Formula (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan) you get the
has on the kidneys. It settles the ministerial fire, opens formula Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, which was indicated for
the kidney and bladder, and prevents warm accumula- the treatment of dry eyes, excessive tearing, diminished
tion in the lower burner as well as clearing deficiency vision, photophobia, and eyestrain. These two additional
heat. In terms of cooling and draining actions, it is per- ingredients both “brighten the eyes,” but the chrysanthe-
haps the most common addition to formulas that tonify mum emphasizes a clearing action: clearing the eyes by
 4
draining liver fire and dispersing wind, while the lycium Conbercept injections to Conbercept injections [Link]
Ming Mu Formula
fruit (gou qi zi) is strictly nourishing: augmenting the es- The study was conducted from November 2020 to De-
sence, nourishing blood, and tonifying the yin of the kid- cember 2021. Seventy-two individual eyes were divided
neys, liver, and [Link] The present formula is therefore into 2 groups of 36. One group was given the injections
a combination of Fu’s Ming Mu Di Huang Wan and Qi alone (control) and the other was given the injections
Ju Di Huang Wan. The final ingredient, tribulus/ punc- plus MMDH formula (study group). After 3 months,
turevine fruit (bai ji li) is a modern modification. It ex- the study group showed 12% overall improvement in vi-
pels wind and is very effective for “brightening the eyes” sion compared to the control group. An additional nearly
and treating eye irritation. It can treat itchy eyes and 12% improvement was seen in the study group compared
itchy skin from yin and fluid deficiency. Tribulus com- to the control after 5 months. In addition, the study
bines with moutan (mu dan pi) to break up blood stasis. group showed 11% greater improvement in reduced cen-
tral macular thickness (CMT) than the control.
Besides its application for vision issues, this version of
Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan) can be A recent review examined over 20 years of studies on the
used for tinnitus (when caused by yin deficiency or as- efficacy of Chinese medicine in the treatment of macular
cendant yang), weak or sore low back, hips and/or knees, [Link] Ming Mu Di Huang Wan was found to be
as well as seminal loss. among the most commonly prescribed and studied for-
mulas for this condition. It was found among the studies
Modern Applications to be especially appropriate for macular degeneration
There are several formulas, both modern and classical, when there was also dry eye, blurred vision, photopho-
that are called “Ming Mu” or have “Ming Mu” as part of bia, and “tears in wind”.
their name. All of them treat the eyes/vison, but they are
not necessarily versions of a common base formula. The Dry Eye Syndrome­­—A study was published in 2019
studies below have all been chosen because they repre- that investigated the use of Ming Mu Di Huang Wan in
sent investigations into Ming Mu Formula based on Liu conjunction with acupuncture for the treatment of dry
Wei Di Huang Wan, and therefore are the most appli- eye [Link] One hundred participants were enrolled
cable to the formula under discussion in this monograph. in the study; 50 were assigned to the control group, re-
ceiving treatment with artificial tears; 50 were part of
Macular Degeneration—It believed by modern medical the test group, receiving acupuncture plus Ming Mu Di
research that the pathogenesis of age-related macular Huang Wan. After 2 months the two groups were evalu-
degeneration (AMD) likely involves many or all of the ated on 4 study criteria: the Schirmer tear test, tear film
following mechanisms in the local area of the retina breakup time, fluorescent staining, and clinical symp-
and maculae: oxidative stress, stress on the endoplasmic toms score. The results showed an 89% overall improve-
reticulum, impaired autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunc- ment in the treatment group compared to 67% in the
tion, and inflammation. One of the primary structures control. The treatment group scored higher on all 4 test
identified as a major pathological site is the retinal pig- criteria.
ment epithelium (RPE). Enhancing local autophagy is
regarded by the general ophthalmology community as Glaucoma—A systematic review of Chinese medicine
an essential strategy to protect RPE cells from oxidative treatments for glaucoma was published in 2018. The
damage. A Chinese study published in 2022 investigated meta-analysis of multiple studies indicated that Ming
whether and to what degree Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan could be recommended for support
Mu Di Huang Wan) was able to relieve oxidative dam- of patients with open-angle [Link]
age by activating local autophagy. They concluded that Another study with a more general application, was
the Ming Mu Di Huang formula “initiates autophagy published in 2016. The study revealed the mechanisms
by activating AMPK/SQSTM1/Keap1 signaling and by which Chi Ju Di Huang Wanxv was able to protect
promotes autophagic flux. Although additional investi- against retinal ischemia. Retinal ischemia plays a part in
gation is still needed, the present results may offer basic retinal vascular occlusion, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy
information about the antioxidative effect of Ming Mu and age related macular degeneration. The study aimed
Di Huang Wan.”x to evaluate the protective effects and underlying mecha-
The Ophthalmology Department of Affiliated Hospi- nisms of Chi Ju Di Huang Wan against retinal ischemia
tals of Inner Mongolia University conducted a study in rats. The researchers found that the formula effectively
comparing the effects of Ming Mu Di Huang Wan plus protected rats from retinal ischemia by downregulating
matrix metalloproteinase-9 and inhibiting p38 mitogen- yin. By contrast, Rejuvenation Formula (Huan Shao
activated protein [Link] Dan) is stronger for addressing generalized weakness,
lack of appetite, emaciation, and impotence.
Retinitis—“Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of hetero-
geneous inherited photoreceptors’ apoptosis and retinal Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan) &
degeneration disease characterized by constricted visual Gastrodia & Uncaria Formula (Tian Ma Gou Teng
fields and photoreceptor cell dysfunction.”xvii It is a de- Yin) Both formulas can treat blurred vision, tinnitus,
ficiency inflammatory condition (heat from deficiency) and glaucoma with an underlying kidney and liver yin
caused by a dystrophic genetic disorder. In Chinese med- deficiency, but the Gastrodia & Uncaria Formula (Tian
icine we treat deficiency heat by nourishing yin, particu- Ma Gou Teng Yin) emphasizes liver support over kidney
larly kidney yin, and by clearing deficiency heat. Similar- and has a stronger action to extinguish wind. Gastrodia
ly, in order to treat genetic disease, we include support of & Uncaria Formula (Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin) is a better
the kidney in our strategy. Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu choice when there is dizziness and headache associated
Di Huang Wan) has been included in a number of stud- with the blurred vision; Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu
ies that highlight natural medicines in the treatment of Di Huang Wan is more nourishing and should be pre-
retinitis pigmentosa. A review article from 2005 took as ferred when kidney deficiency dominates the pattern.
their interest former studies that investigated the role of
Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan) & True
decreased blood flow in retinitis [Link] Accord-
Yin Formula (Zuo Gui Jia Er Zhi Wan)
ing to their findings the principal formula for treating
True Yin Formula is the only one in this list of compari-
retinitis pigmentosa with a pattern of kidney and liver
sons that is more nourishing than Ming Mu Formula.
yin deficiency was Ming Mu Di Huang Wan modified
It contains all three of the tonic substances found in
with herbs that invigorate blood flow to the collaterals,
Rehmannia Six Formula (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan),
such as salvia (dan shen) or spatholobus (ji xue teng).
upon which Ming Mu Formula is built, but only one of
Another study found that Ming Mu Di Huang decoction
the draining substances. It is not specific for “brightening
was able to improve vision and to expand the visual field
the eyes”, though it does contain some substances with
in participants diagnosed with retinitis [Link]
that action. An important distinction between these
Formula Comparisons two formulas is that True Yin Formula, because it has
Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan) & Qi Ju no draining action, and cannot cool blood. Individuals
Di Huang Wan with excess or deficiency fire are cautioned against the
Both formulas are built from the same base of Liu Wei use of True Yin Formula, but Ming Mu Formula has
Di Huang Wan, and therefore assume kidney and liver safeguards built into the strategy against generating too
yin deficiency at the root of the issue. Both formulas lift much heat.
the actions of the base up into the head to bring nour-
ishment to the eyes. The version of Ming Mu Formula
under present discussion includes Qi Ju Di Huang Wan,
rendering that particular formula unnecessary when
this version of Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang
Wan) is available.
Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan) & Re-
juvenation Formula (Huan Shao Dan)
Like Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan),
Rejuvenation Formula (Huan Shao Dan) rescues declin-
ing kidney yin, jing/essence, and nourishes blood. But
Ming Mu Formula 5

where Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan)

emphasizes the liver along with the kidney, Rejuvenation
Formula (Huan Shao Dan) tonifies spleen qi and kidney
yang. Both formulas effectively support weak lumbar,
hips, and knees, but Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di
Huang Wan) is, of course specifically formulated to
“brighten the eyes” while nourishing the kidney and liver
 6
Useful Combinations
Ming Mu Formula

When fire from deficiency is pronounced Combine with Rehmannia & Scrofularia Formula

For tinnitus from liver wind Combine with Gastrodia & Uncaria Formula

For poor night vision Combine with Tang Kuei & Salvia Formula

For impotence or premature ejaculation Combine with Rejuvenation Formula

For cataracts Combine with Minor Bupleurum Formula

Endnotes
i
Another version of the Five Slownesses (wŭ chí) included a shiny, pale complexion, excessive sclera in the eyes, and
“insufficiency of spirit,” which may have been a Song Dynasty way of describing autism.
ii
The image of the sanjiao mechanism being rooted in the spine between the kidneys (at Du-4 Ming Men), then
rising up the Du channel to branch out from the spine and pour into the back shu points has been compared to the
image of the Tree of Life.
iii
The fu organs are under the domain of their respective yin pair. They do not store jing but receive support from
their associated zang pair.
iv
Secretions such as hormones are released directly into the venous system (not the arteries).
v
Essentials of the Materia Medica, 1664.
vi
Note that the Chong and Ren channels both terminate in the eyes.
vii
The action of schisandra fruit to “brighten the eyes” was first mentioned by the physician Da Ming in the Song
Dynasty.
viii
Specifically, Li Gao noted that schisandra fruit (wu wei zi) was useful in the treatment of what we today call
pupillary mydriasis, the excessive or dysregulated enlargement of the pupils. The pupils are seen as under the domain
of the kidney. But the condition is actually a dysregulation of the muscles in the iris, which is governed by the liver.
Schisandra tonifies the qi and astringes the essence of both. This action is enhanced by cornus (shan zhu yu).
The two ingredients (ju hua and gou qi zi) also comprise a famous two-ingredient longevity formula that is still in
ix

wide use today.

x
Chen X, Zhu YJ, Shi XQ, Zuo J, Hu TM, Wu H, Xia Y, Shi W, and Wei W, “Ming-Mu-Di-Huang Pill activates
SQSTM1 via AMPK-mediated autophagic KEAP1degredation and protects RPE cells from oxidative damage”.
Oxidative The Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2022;2022(1).
Su R, Ran L., Xiao Q, “Mongolian medicine Mingmu-11 Pills combined with Conbercept in the treatment of wet
xi

age-related macular degeneration”. International Eye Science, 2024;24(5):691-696.

Li YA, Liang, L, Li XY, et al., "Traditional Chinese medicine for age-related macular degeneration: A clinical
xii

evidence map" between 2000 and 2022”. Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2023:1-2,107-114.
Zheng L. and Chen YZ, “The clinical effects of acupuncture combined with Mingmu-Dihuang pill on dry eyes”.
xiii

International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2019;(6)820-83.

Yang YX, Ma QY, Yang Y, Chen W, et al., "Evidence-based practice guideline of Chinese herbal medicine for open-
xiv

angle glaucoma (qingfeng-neizhang)". Medicine, 2018; 97:13(e0126).

xv
Chi Ju Di Huang Wan contains all of the ingredients present in Ming Mu Formula (Ming Mu Di Huang Wan).
 They differ only in the addition of four that are part of Ming Mu Formula but are not present in Chi Ju Di Huang
Wan. The additional four ingredients are wu wei zi, bai ji li (ci ji li), sheng di huang, and dang gui.
Cheng JM, Liu XQ, Liu JH, Chao HM, et al., “Chi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan protects rats against retinal ischemia by
xvi

downregulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 and inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase”. Chinese Medicine,
2016;11(39).
Wang DY, Chan WM, Tam PO, et al., “Gene mutations in retinitis pigmentosa and their clinical implications”.
xvii

Clinica Chimica Acta, 2005;351(1-2)5.

Yang YJ, Peng J, Ying D, Peng QH, “A brief review on the pathological role of decreased blood flow affected in
xviii

retinitis pigmentosa”. Journal of Ophthalmology, 2018; [Link]

Luo X, Zhou Z, Duan J, “Effect of Mingmu Dihuang Decoction on Primary Retinitis Pigmentosa in 28 Cases.”
xix

Hunan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 33(05): 75-76.

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Ming Mu Formula 7
Ming Mu Formula 8