Styes in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different styes patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Styes, medically known as hordeola, are small, painful lumps on the eyelid, often resulting from infected eyelash follicles. They appear as red, swollen areas, similar to pimples, and can occur on the inside or the outside of the eyelid.
Styes can cause discomfort and irritation, often accompanied by tearing and sensitivity to light. While typically self-resolving, they can recur or persist as a recalcitrant hordeolum, necessitating medical intervention.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets styes as a result of internal imbalances and external pathogenic factors. TCM connects eye health closely to the Liver, and styes are often seen as manifestations of Heat and Toxin accumulation or Blood Stagnation in this organ system.
The focus in TCM is not just on treating the symptoms but addressing the underlying disharmony in the body's Qi, Blood, and vital substances.
TCM Patterns for Styes
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause styes
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
Diagnostic signs
Choppy (Se), Full (Shi)
Recommended herbal formulas
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Diagnostic signs
Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Styes
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address styes