Another Ophthalmic Formula 1985.12.29

Another Ophthalmic Formula 1985.12.29

Shi Shouli from the Ophthalmology Department of Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s disinfectant decoction is remarkably effective in treating herpetic keratitis.

Prescription: Bupleurum 10g, Prunella vulgaris 15g, Uncaria rhynchophylla 30g, Isatis tinctoria 15g, Radix Isatidis 30g, Scutellaria 6g, Mentha 6g, Honeysuckle 15g, Cicada slough 10g, Red peony 10g, Taraxacum 15g, Chrysanthemum 15g, licorice 6g. Decoct in water and take one dose daily.

Mnemonic: Ban-gou-chai-cao-da-huang-he, gong-ju-chi-pu-dan-mao-duo.

For sore throat, add Hua Tianfen and Ophiopogon; for corneal neovascularization, add Moutan cortex; for reddish and painful urination, add Aristolochia fangchi; for dry stools or pus accumulation in the anterior chamber, add rhubarb and mirabilite; once congestion subsides, gradually increase yin-nourishing and opacity-reducing herbs such as Siwu, Scrophularia, and Ophiopogon. This formula is highly effective in treating herpetic keratitis, formulated to drain excess fire from the Liver meridian. The Liver opens to the eyes, and inflammation in the eyes is indeed Liver fire. Why does Liver fire flare up? It’s due to stagnation—stagnation generates heat, which is the root of Liver fire. The formula uses Bupleurum to disperse Liver fire, Red peony to activate and soften the Liver—addressing the root cause. Isatis, Isatis tinctoria, Scutellaria, Taraxacum, and Mentha all help drain Liver fire—addressing the symptoms. The Liver is a Wind-Metal organ, and fire tends to spread like wind; when Wind and Fire fan each other, the fire intensifies. Thus, Cicada slough, Chrysanthemum, and Uncaria rhynchophylla dispel Wind and reduce Fire, serving a dual purpose of treatment and prevention.

For those with severe sore throat, add Hua Tianfen and Ophiopogon; for conjunctival congestion, add Moutan cortex to activate blood circulation and remove stasis. For reddish and painful urination, add Aristolochia fangchi; for dry stools, add rhubarb and mirabilite—this is like removing the fuel from under the pot. Comparing this formula with the previously mentioned Wu Zhu Yu Tang, we can see a contrast between the two: the former focuses on conjunctival congestion, while the latter focuses on ciliary body congestion. The latter pertains to intraocular diseases such as glaucoma and iritis, whereas the former pertains to conjunctivitis and keratitis. (Chinese Medicine Journal, Issue 1, 1984)