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.
Floaters in 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 floaters in 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 floaters in eyes is often associated with dizziness, blurred vision and timidity in the pattern “Gallbladder Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause floaters in eyes.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of floaters in eyes we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the four medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat floaters in eyes.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause floaters in eyes
In Chinese Medicine floaters in eyes is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Gallbladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine
Gallbladder Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
More than a ‘pattern’, this is really the description of a certain character or personality. The key feature of this ‘pattern’ is the character of the person: that is, their lack of courage, timidity and lack of initiative.
In addition to floaters in eyes, other symptoms associated with Gallbladder Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and timidity.
Gallbladder Deficiency 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 Hot-Phlegm".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
This is a type of empty Fire pattern arising out of Liver Blood Deficiency or Kidney Yin Deficiency. It shares similar symptoms as Liver Blood Deficiency, but with extra signs of Dryness and Yin-Deficient Heat. It can be caused by excessive activity, overwork, 'burning the candle at both ends' without sufficient rest, and poor and irregular diet.
In addition to floaters in eyes, other symptoms associated with Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and depression.
Liver Yin Deficiency is often treated with Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Qi Ju Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
The Liver stores Blood, that is the reason any Blood Deficiency often involves the Liver. This pattern has an impact on areas the Liver relates to, such as the tendons, eyes, nails and menstruation. It arises from the same causes of general Blood Deficiency, such as poor diet, hemorrhages or Kidney Qi or Essence Deficiency.
In addition to floaters in eyes, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and depression.
Liver Blood Deficiency is often treated with Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Si Wu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Restores and nourishes Blood".
Three herbal formulas that might help with floaters in eyes
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Hot-Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder heat. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with floaters in eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Gallbladder Deficiency' of which floaters in eyes is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Gallbladder Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and timidity.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with floaters in eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' of which floaters in eyes is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and depression.
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with floaters in eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Deficiency' of which floaters in eyes is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Blood Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and depression.
The four Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat floaters in eyes
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with floaters in eyes?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat floaters in eyes as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with floaters in eyes?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat floaters in eyes as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with floaters in eyes?
Because it is a key herb in Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Deficiency' (a pattern with floaters in eyes as a symptom)
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with floaters in eyes?
Because it is a key herb in Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Gallbladder Deficiency' (a pattern with floaters in eyes as a symptom)
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Other symptoms often associated with floaters in eyes
Dizziness Blurred vision Depression Timidity Easily scared Lack of courage Indecision Frequent sighing Nervousness Restless dreams