Floaters in 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.
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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 depression in the pattern “Liver Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record four 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 five 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 floaters in eyes.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause floaters in eyes
In Chinese Medicine floaters in eyes is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
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".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
In addition to floaters in eyes, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and depression.
Liver Qi Deficiency is often treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
In addition to floaters in eyes, other symptoms associated with Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and depression.
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency is often treated with Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Gui Pi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi and blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood".
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 nervousness.
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 Phlegm".
Five herbal formulas that might help with floaters in eyes
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.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with floaters in eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Deficiency' of which floaters in eyes is a symptom.
Gui Pi Tang
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Why might Gui Pi Tang help with floaters in eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency' of which floaters in eyes is a symptom.
Bu Gan Tang
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and regulates the Blood. Nourishes the Liver Yin.
Why might Bu Gan 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.
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 floaters in eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Gallbladder Deficiency' of which floaters in eyes is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for floaters in eyes
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat floaters in eyes
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 Bu Gan Tang 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with floaters in eyes?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat floaters in eyes as a symptom, like Sheng Yu Tang or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with floaters in eyes?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat floaters in eyes as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Gui Pi 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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with floaters in eyes?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat floaters in eyes as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Bu Gan Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
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 Jujube Date (Da Zao) help with floaters in eyes?
Because Jujube Date is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat floaters in eyes as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Jujube Dates is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula.
Other symptoms often associated with floaters in eyes
Dizziness Blurred vision Depression Insomnia Diminished night vision Numbness in the limbs Scanty periods Amenorrhea Muscle weakness Dry hair