A "liver-kidney yin tonic for the eyes" formula with broader effect than Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, built on the six-ingredient base with additional eye-targeted herbs, used for chronic eye fatigue and early visual decline.
Cultural reference - how this formula has been discussed in Chinese medical tradition. Not medical advice.
Background & origin
Derived from Ming dynasty "Curing All Diseases" (《万病回春》) prescriptions and refined through subsequent warm-disease and eye-disease texts. In Japan, Meimoku-jiogan (明目地黄丸) is sold primarily by Kotaro as a Kotaro-specific OTC for chronic eye fatigue and blurry vision. In Korea it appears as Myeongmok-jihwang-hwan (명목지황환) in the Kyungdong hanbang line. The formula sits between Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (gentler, two added herbs) and broad multi-herb eye formulas, and is well-stocked in Chinese pharmacies.
From the source text
This page is cultural documentation, not medical advice.
From the source text · 《万病回春》内·眼目门·明目益肾丸条
Classical text
据《万病回春》：明目益肾丸，治肾虚目暗不明。熟地黄、山茱萸、山药、牡丹皮、茯苓、泽泻、枸杞子、菊花、当归、白芍、蒺藜、石决明。
Modern Chinese rendering
本方用于"肾虚目暗、肝肾阴虚、目失所养"系列证候：肝肾阴精不足所致的眼干眼涩、视物模糊、视力减退、眼前飞蚊症样视觉、畏光流泪、头晕耳鸣、腰膝酸软。方以六味地黄丸（熟地黄、山茱萸、山药、牡丹皮、茯苓、泽泻）滋阴补肾为君；枸杞子、菊花滋补肝肾、益精明目为臣；当归、白芍养血柔肝、明目；蒺藜平肝疏肝、明目止痒；石决明清肝明目、平肝潜阳。整体上，是明代"滋补肝肾 + 明目"思路下"明目地黄丸系列"代表方，临床用于"肝肾阴虚、目失所养"之慢性眼病、眼疲劳。
Editorial translation
This formula is used for "kidney-deficiency dim vision, liver-kidney yin deficiency with eyes losing nourishment" patterns: deficiency of liver-kidney yin essence causing dry gritty eyes, blurred vision, declining visual acuity, floaters, photophobia with tearing, dizziness and tinnitus, and sore lower back and knees. The Míng Mù Yì Shèn Wán uses the Liù Wèi Dì Huáng Wán (Shú Dì Huáng, Shān Zhū Yú, Shān Yào, Mǔ Dān Pí, Fú Líng, Zé Xiè) to enrich yin and tonify the kidney as sovereign; Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ and Jú Huā to tonify liver and kidney, sharpen vision, and brighten the eyes as minister; Dāng Guī and Bái Sháo to nourish blood, soften the liver, and brighten the eyes; Jí Lí to pacify and soothe the liver, brighten the eyes, and stop itching; Shí Jué Míng to clear the liver, brighten the eyes, pacify the liver, and subdue yang. It is, in short, the Ming-dynasty representative formula for "tonify liver-kidney + brighten eyes" of the "eye-brightening Rehmannia" family register.
In tradition
In TCM tradition, associated with the "liver-kidney yin deficiency" pattern when it is felt to affect vision chronically: dry or gritty eyes, blurry vision, photophobia, floaters, eye fatigue, and dizziness. It is generally considered a more "eye-targeted" version of the Liuwei Dihuang Wan family than Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, and is commonly discussed in the context of older adults experiencing early visual decline, or in younger adults with significant screen-related eye fatigue.
Formula composition
Monarch1
- Rehmannia root, cooked (Shú Dì Huáng / 熟地黄)
Minister4
- Cornus fruit (Shān Zhū Yú / 山茱萸)
- Chinese yam (Shān Yào / 山药)
- Lycium fruit (Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ / 枸杞子)
- Chrysanthemum flower (Jú Huā / 菊花)
Assistant7
- Moutan tree bark (Mǔ Dān Pí / 牡丹皮)
- Poria (Fú Líng / 茯苓)
- Alisma rhizome (Zé Xiè / 泽泻)
- Dong quai (Dāng Guī / 当归)
- White peony root (Bái Sháo / 白芍)
- Tribulus fruit (Jí Lí / 蒺藜)
- Cassia seed (Jué Míng Zǐ / 决明子)
International availability
Japan (Kampo)
- Tsumura & Co.ツムラOTC杞菊地黄丸Kikukochio-gan
Korea (Hanbang)
- Kyungdong경동OTC명목지황환Myeongmok-jihwang-hwan
Taiwan & Hong Kong
- 順天堂OTC明目地黃丸Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Cautions & context
- Considered inappropriate during a common cold, fever, or active digestive upset in TCM framing, the formula is "tonifying" and may "trap" external pathogens.
- Sudden loss of vision, eye pain, flashes of light, or a curtain-like shadow across the visual field are not appropriate for self-treatment, these require urgent ophthalmologic evaluation.
- Long-term daily use is common in China but not well studied in Western pharmacology; periodic breaks are often recommended.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people should consult a qualified practitioner before use.
Related formulas
Other formulas from this text· "Curing All Diseases"
Other formulas by this contributor· Gong Tingxian
Related concerns
Concern · stress
Stress & Mood
Everyday tension, low mood, irritability, the sense of being "wound up but tired". The cluster of complaints that brings many Chinese adults to the family 中成药 drawer before they ever see a doctor.
Editorial note
Compiled from "Curing All Diseases" (1587).
Last reviewed: July 18, 2026
Three layers of evidence
Classical source
≈ 400 years · "Curing All Diseases" (1587)
Pharmacopoeia indication
"Nourish the kidney and the liver, brighten the eyes. Used for liver-kidney yin deficiency: gritty dry eyes with photophobia, blurred vision, and tearing on exposure to wind."
Modern research status
No systematic review on Mingmu Dihuang Wan was identified in the PubMed database as of 2026-06-28.
References
References reviewed on July 18, 2026 · PubMed search on 2026-07-18
- 01ClassicalGōng Tíngxián (龚廷贤), 《万病回春》 (Wàn Bìng Huí Chūn / Curing All Diseases), Ming-dynasty physician, compiled ca. 1587 (Wanli 15th year), the "eyes" (眼目) section, the entry for Míng Mù Yì Shèn Wán (明目益肾丸), the representative "tonify liver-kidney + brighten eyes" formula of the "eye-brightening Rehmannia" family register; editorial adaptation from the 1587 edition, pending scholarly verification of exact textual wording.
- 02TextbookDuān Fùjīn (段富津) et al. (eds.), 《方剂学》 (Fāngjìxué / Science of Formulas), 2nd edition, Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 2011, the standard modern university-level formula textbook in mainland China, with Míng Mù Dì Huáng Wán analysed in the "tonifying formulas" (补益剂) chapter as a representative "liver-kidney yin + eye-brightening" formula, the canonical entry for the "chronic eye-fatigue / early visual decline" register.
- 03TextbookKotaro (小太郎) and other Japanese manufacturers, Meimoku-jiogan (明目地黄丸) prescription family product documentation, Japan's OTC Kampo "eye-brightening Rehmannia" product family derived from the late-Ming 《万病回春》 line, sold in Japanese drugstores for chronic eye fatigue and blurry vision; mirrored in Korean hanbang 명목지황환 (Myeongmok-jihwang-hwan) preparations in Kyungdong (경동) product line.
- 04PharmacopoeiaPharmacopoeia Commission of the PRC, 《中华人民共和国药典》 2020 edition, vol. 1 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Yàodiǎn, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2020 ed., vol. 1), China Medical Science Press, 2020, the official national monograph for Míng Mù Dì Huáng Wán (丸 / 浓缩丸), "functional indication" reads "nourish the kidney and the liver, brighten the eyes, used for liver-kidney yin deficiency: gritty dry eyes with photophobia, blurred vision, and tearing on exposure to wind".