Dull eyes according to Chinese Medicine
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.
Dull eyes can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like dull eyes here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here dull eyes is often associated with muttering to oneself, sudden blackouts and paralysis in the pattern “Phlegm Misting the Heart”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of dull eyes we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat dull eyes.
Phlegm Misting the Heart, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause dull eyes
In Chinese Medicine dull eyes is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm Misting the Heart". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm Misting the Heart
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is a condition where Phlegm enters the Heart and disturbs the Mind (Shen).
In addition to dull eyes, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Misting the Heart include muttering to oneself, sudden blackouts and paralysis.
Phlegm Misting the Heart is often treated with Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Phlegm".
Three herbal formulas that might help with dull eyes
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with dull eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which dull eyes is a symptom.
Di Tan Tang
Source date: 1470 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Removes Phlegm. Opens the sensory orifices. Tonifies Qi.
Why might Di Tan Tang help with dull eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which dull eyes is a symptom.
Gun Tan Wan
Why might Gun Tan Wan help with dull eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which dull eyes is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat dull eyes
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with dull eyes?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dull eyes as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Di Tan Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with dull eyes?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dull eyes as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Di Tan Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Bamboo Shaving (Zhu Ru) help with dull eyes?
Because Bamboo Shaving is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dull eyes as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Di Tan Tang for instance.
Bamboo Shavings is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Gallbladder, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs. Clears Heat in the Stomach and stops vomiting. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with dull eyes?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dull eyes as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Di Tan Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Red Tangerine Peel (Ju Hong) help with dull eyes?
Because it is a key herb in Di Tan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' (a pattern with dull eyes as a symptom)
Red Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Dissipates Cold, dries Dampness, eliminates Phlegm and promotes the flow of Qi
Other symptoms often associated with dull eyes
Muttering to oneself Sudden blackouts Paralysis Coma Mental confusion Unconsciousness Lethargic and withdrawn state Incoherent speech Slurred speech Aphasia