Ocular Swelling in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different ocular swelling patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Ocular swelling refers to the inflammation and swelling of the tissues around the eyes, including the eyelids and the area under the eyes. This condition can be caused by various factors such as allergies, infections, injury, or underlying health issues.
Symptoms can include puffiness, redness, itching, and sometimes pain or discomfort. Ocular swelling can affect one's appearance and vision, and its underlying cause often determines the approach to treatment.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches ocular swelling differently than Western medicine. In TCM, such symptoms are considered manifestations of imbalances in the body’s Qi (energy), Blood, and Body Fluids.
TCM practitioners look at ocular swelling as a sign of underlying disharmonies within the body, particularly related to organs like the Liver and Kidneys. Identifying and treating these disharmonies is crucial in TCM, as it aims to restore the overall balance and health of the body.
TCM Patterns for Ocular Swelling
Dampness
Causes: Eye swelling
Oedema
Eye swelling
Along with: Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema, Ocular swelling, Abdominal distention
Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs
Eye swelling
Along with: Ocular swelling, Shiny complexion, Scanty clear urination, Fever, Coughing, Shortness of breath, Aversion to cold, Facial edema
Phlegm
Causes: Eye swelling
Oedema
Eye swelling
Along with: Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema, Ocular swelling, Abdominal distention
Wind
Causes: Eye swelling
Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs
Eye swelling
Along with: Ocular swelling, Shiny complexion, Scanty clear urination, Fever, Coughing, Shortness of breath, Aversion to cold, Facial edema
Cold
Causes: Eye swelling
Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs
Eye swelling
Along with: Ocular swelling, Shiny complexion, Scanty clear urination, Fever, Coughing, Shortness of breath, Aversion to cold, Facial edema
Herbal Formulas for Ocular Swelling
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address ocular swelling
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Addresses these ocular swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Warms the Lungs
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Addresses These Ocular Swelling Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Eye swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Ocular swelling, Shiny complexion, Scanty clear urination, Fever, Coughing, Shortness of breath...
Wu Ling San
Addresses these ocular swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes urination,
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Promotes Qi transformation function
- Drains Dampness
- Clears edema
Addresses These Ocular Swelling Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Eye swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang
Addresses these ocular swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Diuretic, clears Excess fluid and removes edema
- Tonifies the Spleen Qi
- Calms External Wind
Addresses These Ocular Swelling Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Eye swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Ping Wei San
Addresses these ocular swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries Dampness
- Improves the Spleen's transportive function
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Ocular Swelling Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Eye swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Wu Pi Yin
Addresses these ocular swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Reduces edema, diuretic
- Regulates and strengthens Spleen Qi
Addresses These Ocular Swelling Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Eye swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Addresses these ocular swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Addresses These Ocular Swelling Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Eye swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Zhen Wu Tang
Addresses these ocular swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys
- Eliminates Dampness
Addresses These Ocular Swelling Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Eye swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Addresses these ocular swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang
Addresses These Ocular Swelling Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Eye swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Yu Gong San
Addresses these ocular swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels water and
- Reduces edema
- Unblocks the bowels
- Moves Qi
Addresses These Ocular Swelling Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Eye swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Zhou Che Wan
Addresses these ocular swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes Qi movement
- Harshly drives out Water and Heat Stagnation
Addresses These Ocular Swelling Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Eye swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...