Eyeballs turning up according to Chinese Medicine

Eyeballs turning up 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 eyeballs turning up 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 eyeballs turning up is often associated with high fever, fainting and convulsions in the pattern “Heat victorious stirring Wind”.

Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of eyeballs turning up we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.

Heat victorious stirring Wind, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause eyeballs turning up

In Chinese Medicine eyeballs turning up is a symptom for the pattern "Heat victorious stirring Wind". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.

Heat victorious stirring Wind

Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)

In addition to eyeballs turning up, other symptoms associated with Heat victorious stirring Wind include high fever, fainting and convulsions.

Heat victorious stirring Wind is often treated with Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Saiga Antelope's Horns - Ling Yang Jiao - as a key herb). Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Cools the Liver".

Read more about Heat victorious stirring Wind here

A herbal formula that might help with eyeballs turning up

Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang

Source date: Qing dynasty

Number of ingredients: 10 herbs

Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.

Why might Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang help with eyeballs turning up?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat victorious stirring Wind' of which eyeballs turning up is a symptom.

Read more about Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang here

The two Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat eyeballs turning up

Why might Saiga Antelope's Horn (Ling Yang Jiao) help with eyeballs turning up?

Because it is a key herb in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat victorious stirring Wind' (a pattern with eyeballs turning up as a symptom)

Saiga Antelope's Horns is a Cold herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Heart and the Liver.

Its main actions are: Clears Internal Liver Wind, subdues Yang. Clears Liver Fire and brightens the eyes. Eliminates toxins and reduces fever.

Read more about Saiga Antelope's Horns here

Why might Gambir Stem And Thorn (Gou Teng) help with eyeballs turning up?

Because it is a key herb in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat victorious stirring Wind' (a pattern with eyeballs turning up as a symptom)

Gambir Stems And Thorns is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Liver and the Pericardium.

Its main actions are: Calms Liver Wind and relieves spasms. Clears Liver Heat and sedates Liver Yang.

Read more about Gambir Stems And Thorns here

Other symptoms often associated with eyeballs turning up

High fever Fainting Convulsions Opisthotonos Clenching of teeth