Lycuvin

In China, certain herbs have the reputation of improving vision and counteracting the development of eye disorders. Many of the recommended herbs are fruits and seeds, such as lycium, cuscuta, plantago seed, tribulus (fruit), and morus fruit. In Western herbalism bilberry has become the focus of attention as an aid to vision. Bilberry is a relative of both the blueberry and cranberry (genus: Vaccinum) and contains deep purple anthocyanidins that are thought to nourish the eye by providing visual pigments. There is also much attention given to the carotenoid lutein, which is now added to most supplements intended to promote eye health. Like Vitamin A and the carotenes of carrots, lutein (derived from the bright yellow calendula flowers) is incorporated into the visual tissues to aid reception of light signals. The combination of lycium and cuscuta has many uses in Chinese medicine, primarily in formulas intended to treat deficiency of liver and kidney. They are the key ingredients in Wuzi Wan ( Five Seeds Pill), used to increase kidney essence. Another herb used in treating eye disorders is the Western herb called eyebright, for which the active ingredients are iridoid glycosides. These are the main constituents of the White Tiger formula Iridoid Complex, which can be used along with Lycuvin to treat a variety of eye disorders. Alternatively, for case of liver blood and yin deficiency, one can add the Pine Mountain formula Ming Mu Di Huang Wan, which incorporates Rehmannia Six Formula.