The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Possible causes and remedies:
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
Symptoms: Thirst Amenorrhea Night fever and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Symptoms: Pain in the groin Alternating fever and chills Guarding of the abdominal musculature and one other symptom
Recommended formula: Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, conjunctivitis can be associated with twelve so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease", as a matter of fact here conjunctivitis can be caused by twelve different patterns.
To understand whether someone's conjunctivitis might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from conjunctivitis alone. For instance when conjunctivitis is caused by the pattern Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner, patients also experience symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, night fever, delirious speech and irritability. Similarly, patients with Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner typically exhibit choppy (Se) or full (Shi) pulses.
We've listed below a description of the twelve patterns associated with conjunctivitis so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below eighteen formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with conjunctivitis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The Triple Burner is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Full (Shi)
Recommended herbal formula: Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Symptoms: Thirst Amenorrhea Night fever Irritability Dysmenorrhea Restlnessness Delirious speech Lower abdominal pain
Conjunctivitis might be due to Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, night fever, delirious speech and irritability. Similarly, patients with Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner typically exhibit choppy (Se) or full (Shi) pulses.
Read more about Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner here
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang, a formula used for Blood Stagnation with Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang
Symptoms: Pain in the groin Alternating fever and chills Guarding of the abdominal musculature Lower abdominal distension and pain that increases with pressure
Conjunctivitis might be due to Blood Stagnation with Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as lower abdominal distension and pain that increases with pressure, guarding of the abdominal musculature, pain in the groin and alternating fever and chills. Similarly, patients with Blood Stagnation with Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a pale tongue with yellow coating.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the key herb for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formulas: Er Chen Tang, Liu Jun Zi Tang, Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, Wen Dan Tang, Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang, Xing Su San, Wu Ling San
Symptoms: Lumps Nausea Tumors Nodules Obesity Delirium Dizziness Overweight Feeling of heaviness Muzziness of the head Numbness in the limbs Thick greasy secretions Feeling of oppression of the chest
Phlegm has a great importance in Chinese Medicine as it is both a condition in and of itself as well as a cause for other diseases.
The main cause for the formation of Phlegm is Spleen Deficiency since the Spleen rules the transformation and transportation of Body Fluids. If this function is impaired, Body Fluids accumulates and change into Phlegm.
The Lungs and Kidneys may also be involved since they each play a role in handling body Fluids: the Lungs disperse and descend Body Fluids while the Kidneys transform and excrete them. Again, if they fail to perform those roles, Body Fluids will accumulate and become Phlegm.
That being said, the Spleen malfunction is the fundamental reason behind the formation of Phlegm and, as such, treatments will focus on it first and foremost.
There are two broad types of Phlegm: so-called "Substantial Phlegm" and "Non-Substantial Phlegm". Simply put, Substantial Phlegm can be seen, such as sputum in the Lungs and throat. Non-Substantial Phlegm is more hidden and will manifest itself into, for instance, kidney stones, gallstones or arthritic bone deformities.
Phlegm can accumulate and settle down in different parts of the body and lead to corresponding symptoms. For example, if it stays in the joints, muscles and Channels, there are muscle numbness, bone deformities and etc. If it mists the Heart, it causes many mental illness. If it settles in the Gall Bladder or Kidney, it leads to stones in these Organs.
Phlegm can further be categorized according to its nature: there is Damp-Phlegm, Phlegm-Heat, Cold-Phlegm, Wind-Phlegm, Qi-Phlegm, Phlegm-Fluids and etc.
"Phlegm-Fluids" is very similar to Dampness and is very watery and thin. It can be heard splashing in the body, found usually in the Stomach and Small Intestines, hypochondrium, limbs or above the diaphragm.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Recommended herbal formula: Wu Ling San
Symptoms: Edema Diarrhea Urinary difficulty General sensation of heaviness
Conjunctivitis might be due to Spleen Deficiency with Dampness if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as edema, general sensation of heaviness, diarrhea and urinary difficulty.
The Triple Burner is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
Recommended herbal formula: Wu Ling San
Symptoms: Vertigo Coughing Shortness of breath Vomiting frothy saliva Throbbing pulsations just below the umbilicus
Conjunctivitis might be due to Phlegm in the Lower Burner if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as throbbing pulsations just below the umbilicus, vomiting frothy saliva, vertigo and shortness of breath.
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a formula used for Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Symptoms: Chills Constipation Abdominal pain Low-grade fever Hypochondriac pain Cold hands and feet
Conjunctivitis might be due to Exterior Cold invading the Interior if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, hypochondriac pain and chills. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading the Interior typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Tight (Jin)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Normal (light red), Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Symptoms: Coughing Dizziness Headaches Depression Moving pain Listlessness Hypochondrium fullness
Conjunctivitis might be due to Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as coughing, hypochondrium fullness, dizziness and headaches. Similarly, patients with Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation typically exhibit empty (Xu) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a normal (light red), pale tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation here
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the key herb for Da Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu), Tight (Jin)
Recommended herbal formula: Da Qing Long Tang
Symptoms: Thirst Irritability Generalized body pain Severe fever and chills without sweating
Conjunctivitis might be due to Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as severe fever and chills without sweating, generalized body pain, thirst and irritability. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation typically exhibit floating (Fu) or tight (Jin) pulses.
Read more about Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation here
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the key herb for Da Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Da Qing Long Tang
Symptoms: Thirst Irritability Absence of sweating Feeling of heaviness Generalized body pain Alternating fever and chills Superficial edema in the extremities
Conjunctivitis might be due to Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as feeling of heaviness, generalized body pain, superficial edema in the extremities and alternating fever and chills. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with sticky coating, thick white coating.
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the key herb for Xiao Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu), Tight (Jin)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Qing Long Tang
Symptoms: Wheezing No thirst Absence of sweating Generalized body pain Alternating fever and chills General sensation of heaviness Stifling sensation in the chest Coughing of copious thin and white sputum
Conjunctivitis might be due to Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as alternating fever and chills, absence of sweating, wheezing and stifling sensation in the chest. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm typically exhibit floating (Fu) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Symptoms: Headaches Dizziness Irritability Short temper Red and sore eyes Painful urination Diminished hearing Swelling in the ears Foul-smelling leukorrhea Bitter taste in the mouth Fixed pain in the hypochondria Shortened menstrual cycle in women Swollen and itchy external genitalia
Conjunctivitis might be due to Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as fixed pain in the hypochondria, headaches, dizziness and red and sore eyes. Similarly, patients with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
Read more about Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder here
Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua) is the key herb for Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin, a formula used for Toxic Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin
Symptoms: Boils Sores Erythema Swellings Carbuncles
Conjunctivitis might be due to Toxic Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as boils, carbuncles, erythema and swellings. Similarly, patients with Toxic Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
The top herbs in Wu Ling San are Water Plantain (Ze Xie), Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) and Polyporus (Zhu Ling)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination,. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Promotes Qi transformation function. Drains Dampness. Clears edema.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Phlegm, Spleen Deficiency with Dampness and Phlegm in the Lower Burner which are sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Da Qing Long Tang are Ephedra (Ma Huang), Gypsum (Shi Gao) and Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Promotes sweating. Releases the Exterior. Clears Interior Heat.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation and Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs which are sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Tao He Cheng Qi Tang are Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), Rhubarb (Da Huang) and Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dispels Heat and. Eliminates Blood Stagnation.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner, a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang are Rhubarb (Da Huang), Mirabilites (Mang Xiao) and Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Clears Stagnant Heat in the intestines. Reduces swelling and disperses lumps.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Blood Stagnation with Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Blood Stagnation with Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Da Huang Fu Zi Tang are Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Rhubarb (Da Huang) and Wild Ginger (Xi Xin)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Interior. Disperses Cold. Unblocks the bowels. Alleviates pain.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Exterior Cold invading the Interior, a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Exterior Cold invading the Interior, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Xiao Chai Hu Tang are Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) and Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer). Regulates the Liver and Spleen functions. Addresses combined Yin-Yang symptoms of External and Internal, Excess and Deficiency, and Hot and Cold.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation, a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Xiao Qing Long Tang are Ephedra (Ma Huang), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Warms the Lungs. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm, a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang are Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao), Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) and Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi)
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Resolves Toxicity. Cools the Blood. Reduces swelling.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Toxic Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Toxic Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Xie Xin Tang are Rhubarb (Da Huang), Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) and Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Drains Fire. Resolves Toxicity. Dries Dampness.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Sang Ju Yin are Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye), Chrysanthemum Flowers (Ju Hua) and Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao)
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Wind. Stops coughing by invigorating Lung Qi. Clears Heat.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang are Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie), Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao) and White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Source date: 1773 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Dispels Wind. Clears toxic-Heat. Disperses Stagnation.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang are Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen) and Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo)
Source date: 1445 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Releases pathogenic evils from the muscle layer . Clears Interior Heat .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Zhi Zi Chi Tang are Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi) and Fermented Soybeans (Dan Dou Chi)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Alleviates restlessness and irritability.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Liang Ge San are Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao), Rhubarb (Da Huang) and Mirabilites (Mang Xiao)
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Drains Fire. Unblocks the bowels by clearing the Upper Burner. Draining the Middle Burner.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Xie Bai San are Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi), Goji Tree Root Bark (Di Gu Pi) and Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Drains Heat from the Lungs . Calms wheezing.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Wu Zhu Yu Tang are Evodia Fruits (Wu Zhu Yu), Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) and Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Liver and Stomach. Directs Rebellious Qi downward. Stops vomiting.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San are Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng), Ephedra (Ma Huang) and Rhubarb (Da Huang)
Source date: 1172 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Wind. Releases the Exterior. Drains Heat. Unblocks the bowels.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Irritability Thirst Alternating fever and chills Dizziness Generalized body pain Feeling of heaviness General sensation of heaviness Coughing Headaches Absence of sweating