Lycium Support™

TCM herbal formula for atrophic and degenerative eye disorders — macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, optic atrophy, retinitis, retinopathy, vitreous opacity, photophobia, dry eyes, blurred vision, night blindness, floaters, excessive tearing, and Lasik recovery — tonifies Liver and Kidney yin; brightens vision; clears Liver heat; consolidates jing (essence); lowers ocular pressure; prevents and treats diabetic retinopathy; prevents dry eyes by inhibiting lacrimal gland inflammation. Based on Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycium Fruit, Chrysanthemum, and Rehmannia Pill).

⚠️ Designed for atrophic and degenerative eye disorders only. NOT suitable for acute eye disorders due to infection, external injuries, hemorrhage, or other acute causes — use appropriate formulas for those conditions. Do not apply topically into the eyes — for oral ingestion only. Serve with a pinch of salt and warm water. Note: several common drugs adversely affect the eyes — antibiotics (penicillins, tetracycline, sulfonamide), antidepressants (tricyclics, SSRIs), antihistamines, appetite suppressants (amphetamine derivatives), hormone replacement therapy, and prednisone/steroids (increase risk of cataracts and glaucoma).

TCM pathophysiology: The Liver and Kidney are the most important organs for eye health. The Liver manifests into the eyes — when there is heat in the Liver, it manifests as redness, swelling, dryness, and pain of the eyes. According to five elements theory, the Kidney is the mother of the Liver — when there is Kidney yin deficiency, Liver yin also becomes deficient, leading to blurry vision, loss of visual acuity, and dryness of the eyes. TCM is generally more effective for atrophic and degenerative eye disorders; Western medicine is generally more effective for structural damage and acute functional disorders.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Atrophic and degenerative eye disorders: macular degeneration, glaucoma, optic atrophy, cataracts, photophobia, retinitis, retinopathy, and vitreous opacity

* Deterioration of eye functions: reduced visual acuity, diminished or impaired vision, blurred vision, night blindness

* Other eye conditions: dry eyes, red eyes, swelling and pain, spots in front of the eyes, excessive tearing, floaters, Lasik recovery

Background: Good eye care and eye health are essential for preserving vision and protecting overall health. External disorders affecting the eyes include infection, injuries, swellings, and inflammation. Internal diseases affecting the eyes include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, thyroid disorders, and cancer. Optimal treatment requires accurate diagnosis and treatment of both external disorders and internal diseases. Atrophic and degenerative eye disorders occur over a long period of time and may also require a long period of time to heal and recover — Chinese herbs slow the aging process, reverse atrophy or deterioration, and correct the underlying constitution.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii / Goji Berry / Wolfberry / Lycium barbarum): prevents age-related macular degeneration — zeaxanthin (bioavailable compound in Gou Qi Zi) is essential to prevent degenerative eye disorder; human trial: oral supplementation effective in prevention of AMD and irreversible loss of central vision; cytoprotective against glucose exposure in human retinal epithelial cells — taurine (major component) reverses caspase-dependent apoptotic cytotoxicity pathway; delays diabetic retinopathy progression; dose-dependently enhances PPAR-γ in human retinal pigment epithelial cells to treat diabetic retinopathy; combined with Ju Hua — protective effects against diabetic retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetes; tonifies Kidney; consolidates jing; nourishes Liver; brightens eyes; improves vision

— Ju Hua (Flos Chrysanthemi / Chrysanthemum Flower): clears Liver heat; benefits eyes; treats redness, swelling, dryness, photophobia, cataracts, and night blindness; combined with Gou Qi Zi — protective against diabetic retinopathy; clinical study: Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (with Ju Hua) — 140 patients with retinitis: complete recovery in 22, significant improvement in 21, moderate improvement in 70; vitreous opacity 34 patients: 85.29% effectiveness

— Mi Meng Hua (Flos Buddlejae / Buddleja Flower / Pale Butterflybush): treats eye disorders caused by either excess or deficiency syndromes; topical application as eye drops — inhibits cell apoptosis in lacrimal glands; prevents dry eyes by inhibiting local inflammation in lacrimal glands and reducing apoptosis of lacrimal gland cells

— Qing Xiang Zi (Semen Celosiae / Celosia Seed): clears Liver heat; benefits eyes; lowers ocular pressure — decoction given daily for 6 days lowered ocular pressure; treats glaucoma

— Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata / Prepared Rehmannia): foundation herb from Liu Wei Di Huang Wan — nourishes Liver and Kidney yin

— Gui Ban (Plastrum Testudinis / Tortoise Plastron / Turtle Shell): vinegar-processed — further tonifies Liver and Kidney yin

— Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni / Cornelian Cherry / Cornus): nourishes Liver and Kidney yin

— Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae / Chinese Yam / Dioscorea): nourishes Liver and Kidney yin

— Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan / Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Root Bark): clears deficiency heat

— Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis / Alisma Rhizome): drains dampness

— Fu Ling (Poria / Poria Cocos / Hoelen): strengthens Spleen; drains dampness

— Gou Qi Zi, Wu Wei Zi, Sha Yuan Zi, Tu Si Zi, Fu Pen Zi: tonify Kidney; consolidate jing (essence); nourish Liver; brighten eyes; improve vision; treat deficiency signs of dryness, blurriness, and dizziness

— Ju Hua, Jue Ming Zi, Che Qian Zi, Chong Wei Zi, Gu Jing Cao, Qing Xiang Zi: clear Liver heat; benefit eyes; treat Liver fire rising causing redness, swelling, dryness, photophobia, cataracts, and night blindness

— Jue Ming Zi (Semen Cassiae / Cassia Seed / Sicklepod): clears Liver heat; benefits eyes; treats cataracts and night blindness

— Che Qian Zi (Semen Plantaginis / Plantago Seed / Plantain Seed): clears Liver heat; benefits eyes

— Chong Wei Zi (Fructus Leonuri / Motherwort Fruit): clears Liver heat; benefits eyes

— Gu Jing Cao (Flos Eriocauli / Pipewort Flower / Eriocaulon): clears Liver heat; benefits eyes; treats night blindness

— Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis / Schisandra / Five-Flavor Berry): tonifies Kidney; consolidates jing; brightens eyes

— Sha Yuan Zi (Semen Astragali Complanati / Flattened Milkvetch Seed): tonifies Kidney; consolidates jing; brightens eyes

— Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae / Cuscuta Seed / Dodder Seed): tonifies Kidney; consolidates jing; brightens eyes

— Fu Pen Zi (Fructus Rubi / Chinese Raspberry / Rubus): tonifies Kidney; consolidates jing; brightens eyes

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Prevents and treats age-related macular degeneration — Gou Qi Zi / zeaxanthin (bioavailable; prevents irreversible central vision loss; human trial)

* Prevents and treats diabetic retinopathy — Gou Qi Zi / taurine (cytoprotective against glucose in human retinal epithelial cells; reverses caspase-dependent apoptotic cytotoxicity; delays retinopathy progression; PPAR-γ↑ in retinal pigment epithelial cells); Gou Qi Zi + Ju Hua (protective in streptozotocin-induced diabetic retinopathy)

* Prevents dry eyes — Mi Meng Hua (inhibits lacrimal gland cell apoptosis; inhibits local inflammation in lacrimal glands)

* Lowers ocular pressure — Qing Xiang Zi (decoction daily for 6 days — ocular pressure↓)

* Clinical outcomes (formula-level) — Qi Ju Di Huang Wan: 140 patients retinitis (complete recovery 22, significant improvement 21, moderate improvement 70); modified formula: 34 patients vitreous opacity — 85.29% effectiveness

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Tonifies Liver and Kidney yin (Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, Shan Yao, Gui Ban, Mu Dan Pi, Ze Xie, Fu Ling — Liu Wei Di Huang Wan foundation)

* Tonifies Kidney; consolidates jing (essence); brightens eyes (Gou Qi Zi, Wu Wei Zi, Sha Yuan Zi, Tu Si Zi, Fu Pen Zi)

* Clears Liver heat; benefits eyes (Ju Hua, Jue Ming Zi, Che Qian Zi, Chong Wei Zi, Gu Jing Cao, Qing Xiang Zi)

* Treats both excess and deficiency eye conditions (Mi Meng Hua)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily with a pinch of salt and warm water. In severe cases, increase to 6–8 capsules three times daily.

Supplementary formulas: Visual disturbance from bacterial infections — add Herbal ABX. Visual disturbance from viral infections — add Herbal AVR. Eye inflammation — add Astringent Complex. Diabetic retinopathy — add Equilibrium. Glaucoma with heat — add Gardenia Complex or Gentiana Complex. Environmental toxins or pollutants — add Herbal DTX + Liver DTX. Hypertension — add Gastrodia Complex or Gentiana Complex. Eye injuries — add Flex (TMX). Kidney and Liver yin deficiency — add Kidney Tonic (Yin). Kidney yin-deficient heat — add Nourish or Balance (Heat). Excessive heat — add Gardenia Complex.

Nutrition: Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Select foods high in beta-carotene: carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, and butternut squash. Fish oil or deep-sea fish (salmon, sardines, tuna) is very good for eye health maintenance. Increase intake of nourishing roots: Mexican yam, yam, radishes, potatoes, carrots, melons, cucumbers, beets, turnips, malanga, celeriac, taro, and rutabaga. For macular degeneration, extensive drusen, pigment changes, or geographic atrophy — daily supplements: zinc oxide 80mg, copper 2mg, vitamin C 500mg, vitamin E 400 IU, beta-carotene 15mg (or vitamin A 28,000 IU). Avoid spicy foods, pungent foods, alcohol, and smoking. Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease) — Cataracts: increase chrysanthemum, cilantro, spinach, cloves, water chestnuts, yams, goji berries, black beans, and sesame seeds; avoid any type of spices, salt, and garlic.

Lifestyle: Avoid excessive use of the eyes — take frequent breaks when reading, watching television, or using the computer. Avoid excessive or prolonged exposure to UV light (sunlight, sunlamps, welding arcs) or x-rays. Avoid wearing contact lenses for excessive periods. Avoid rubbing the eyes — find the cause of irritation and treat accordingly. Maintain adequate fluid intake — dehydration contributes to dryness and discomfort of the eyes. Apply a heat pad or moist hot towel over the eyes to increase blood circulation; alternatively, place chrysanthemum flowers in hot water and let the steam treat the eyes.

Eye exercises: In a quiet, relaxed environment, clear the mind and slowly look around in a circle with the eyes only, reversing direction each time — exercises the eye muscles in a healthy way. Look far away: go outside into a natural clean environment and look as far away as possible; relax the eyes, focus on one direction for 25 seconds, then focus on something close by; repeat 20 times, three times a day — maintains elasticity of the muscles and lens and prevents premature changes in vision.

Related Reading

Also see: Herbal ABX – for bacterial eye infections | Herbal AVR – for viral eye infections | Astringent Complex – for eye inflammation | Equilibrium – for diabetic retinopathy | Gardenia Complex – for glaucoma with heat or excessive heat | Gentiana Complex – for glaucoma or hypertension | Gastrodia Complex – for hypertension-related visual disturbance | Herbal DTX – for environmental toxin-related visual disturbance | Liver DTX – for liver-related visual disturbance | Flex (TMX) – for eye injuries | Kidney Tonic (Yin) – for Kidney and Liver yin deficiency | Nourish – for yin-deficient heat | Balance (Heat) – for Kidney yin-deficient heat | Eye Health & Vision Support Collection.