Skip to content
NoticeEducational reference onlyLearn more

Source text

"Levels of Medicine"

《医级》

Qing · 1743

董西园(Dǒng Xīyuán,清雍正—乾隆年间)

Formula collection

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Introduction

"Levels of Medicine"

This page is cultural documentation, not medical advice.

A Qing-dynasty comprehensive medical encyclopedia by Dong Xiyuan (Yongzheng-Qianlong reign era, ca. 1723–1795), completed around 1743. A clinical text organized by disease category and treatment method.

The Yiji is a late-Qing clinical compilation by Dong Xiyuan, organized around "diseases + treatment methods" (病证 + 治法). The text is the canonical source of Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán (杞菊地黄丸, "Lycium-Chrysanthemum Rehmannia Pill"), a formula that adds Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ (Lycium fruit) and Jú Huā (chrysanthemum) to the canonical Liù Wèi Dì Huáng Wán (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), redirecting the "tonify-kidney-yin" core toward a "tonify-liver-and-kidney, brighten-the-eyes" indication. The formula is, in modern Chinese pharmacy, one of the most frequently prescribed 中成药 for "liver-kidney-yin-deficiency with eye fatigue" presentations. The Yiji is, in short, a representative Qing-era "classical-formula + small-modifier" reference.

Historical background

The Yiji (Levels of Medicine) was compiled by Dong Xiyuan during the Yongzheng–Qianlong reign era of the Qing dynasty and completed around 1743. As a comprehensive clinical reference of the mid-Qing period, the text is organized around "disease pattern + treatment method" (病证 + 治法), offering a structured clinical manual for use at the bedside. The text is the canonical source of Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán (Lycium-Chrysanthemum Rehmannia Pill), which adds Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ and Jú Huā to the canonical Liù Wèi Dì Huáng Wán (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), redirecting the classical "tonify-kidney-yin" core toward a "tonify-liver-and-kidney, brighten-the-eyes" indication.…

View in glossary

About the author

董西园(Dǒng Xīyuán,清雍正—乾隆年间)

Dong Xiyuan (董西园) was a Qing-dynasty physician active during the Yongzheng–Qianlong reign era (ca. 1723–1795), with biographical details remaining relatively sparse.…

Formulas recorded in this text· 1

  • Formula · Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán

    Lycium and Chrysanthemum Rehmanni

    杞菊地黄丸

    A "liver-kidney yin tonic for the eyes" variation of Liuwei Dihuang Wan, best understood as the six-ingredient base with lycium fruit and chrysanthemum flower added to address dryness and fatigue of the eyes.

Concerns covered in this text· 1