Uveitisaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Eye Disorders and Symptoms
Did you mean? Panophthalmitis
What is Uveitis?
Uveitis is an ophthalmic condition characterized by inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. This inflammation can cause redness, pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and floaters. Uveitis can be an isolated eye condition or a symptom of an underlying systemic disease.
It varies in duration and severity, ranging from acute to chronic and from mild to severe. Synonyms for uveitis include eye inflammation, inflammatory eye condition, intraocular inflammation, and ocular uveitis.
How does TCM view Uveitis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches uveitis from a holistic perspective, focusing on internal disharmonies and imbalances that manifest as physical symptoms. Unlike Western medicine's localized treatment of the eye, TCM considers uveitis as a sign of a deeper imbalance within the body’s Qi (vital energy), Yin, Yang, and Blood.
TCM emphasizes identifying and treating the underlying patterns of disharmony, often related to the Liver, Kidney, and Lung meridians, which are believed to be closely associated with eye health.
Causes of Uveitis according to TCM
In TCM, uveitis is often linked to two primary patterns: Liver Heat and Wind-Heat. Liver Heat can arise from emotional stress or an unhealthy lifestyle, leading to an accumulation of Heat in the Liver meridian, which then affects the eyes. Symptoms associated with this pattern include red, painful eyes and blurred vision.
On the other hand, Wind-Heat typically involves external pathogenic factors invading the body, resulting in symptoms like redness, burning sensation, and tearing in the eyes. Both these patterns highlight the TCM belief that eye conditions are often reflections of systemic health issues.
TCM Herbs for Uveitis
TCM recommends several herbs for treating uveitis, tailored to the specific underlying pattern. Cool/Acrid herbs such as Chrysanthemum Flowers (Ju Hua), Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye), and Wild Mint (Bo He) are used for their ability to release Exterior Wind-Heat and cool Liver Heat, which can alleviate eye inflammation. Herbs like Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi) and Heal-All Spikes (Xia Ku Cao) clear Heat and purge Fire, addressing the more intense symptoms of True Heat. Cassia Seeds (Jue Ming Zi) specifically target Liver Heat affecting the eyes, while Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) is employed in cases of Internal Coldness and Yang Deficiency. Additionally, Dandelions (Pu Gong Ying) are effective in treating Damp-Heat conditions, further demonstrating the diverse herbal approaches in TCM for managing uveitis.
- By Herb Category
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that clear liver heat and brighten the eyes
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Uveitis can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Chrysanthemum Flowers (Ju Hua), which is directly recommended for uveitis.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for uveitis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Chrysanthemum Flowers (Ju Hua) | Not applicable |
| Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye) | Not applicable |
| Wild Mint (Bo He) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Uveitis can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi), which is directly recommended for uveitis.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat" recommended for uveitis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi) | Not applicable |
| Heal-All Spikes (Xia Ku Cao) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Liver Heat and brighten the eyes
Uveitis can be treated by these herbs if it is a result of Liver heat affecting the eyes, working to cool the Liver and improve eye health.
One such herb is Cassia Seeds (Jue Ming Zi), which is directly recommended for uveitis.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Uveitis can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui), which is directly recommended for uveitis.
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Uveitis can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Dandelions (Pu Gong Ying), which is directly recommended for uveitis.