Impaired vision 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.
blurred vision, poor eyesight and superficial visual obstruction redirect here
Impaired vision 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 impaired vision 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 impaired vision is often associated with dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods in the pattern “Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause impaired vision.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of impaired vision 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 impaired vision.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause impaired vision
In Chinese Medicine impaired vision is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Deficiency
Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Someone has a Deficiency of Blood when their entire body, a part of body or a particular Organ is insufficiently nourished by Blood. This can be caused by blood-loss, a lack of of Spleen Qi (responsible to produce Blood) or congealed Blood which prevents new Blood from forming.
In addition to impaired vision, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
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 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 impaired vision, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
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 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 impaired vision, other symptoms associated with Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
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 Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Cracked
Kidney Yin Deficiency causes false Heat symptoms, such as night sweats, thirst and five palm heat. These signs are from a depletion of Body Fluids and Essence. It can be caused by prolonged overwork, excessive sexual activity, chronic long term illnesses, consumption of Body Fluids by Heat, prolonged blood loss, overdosage of Kidney Yang tonics herbs, smoking and Kidney depleting foods such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, and fruit juices.
In addition to impaired vision, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yin Deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Menopausal Syndrome, Prolonged Periods or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yin Deficiency is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu Wei 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: "Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to impaired vision, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Vaginal Itching.
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is often treated with Zuo Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Zuo Gui 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 the Yin".
Five herbal formulas that might help with impaired vision
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys.
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with impaired vision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency' of which blurred vision is a symptom.
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 impaired vision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Deficiency' of which blurred vision is a symptom.
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 impaired vision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' of which blurred vision is a symptom.
Zuo Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys. Fills the Essence. Augments the marrow.
Why might Zuo Gui Wan help with impaired vision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which blurred vision is a symptom.
Qing Gu San
Source date: 1602 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat from Deficiency. Alleviates steaming bone disorder.
Why might Qing Gu San help with impaired vision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency' of which blurred vision is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for impaired vision
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat impaired vision
Why might Saiga Antelope's Horn (Ling Yang Jiao) help with impaired vision?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat impaired vision as can be seen on Saiga Antelope's Horn's page.
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.
Why might Chrysanthemum Flower (Ju Hua) help with impaired vision?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat impaired vision as can be seen on Chrysanthemum Flower's page.
Chrysanthemum Flowers is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and clears Heat. Relieves Wind-Heat from the Liver channel and clears the eyes. Cools Heat of the Liver and Kidney due to Yin Deficiency. Relieves patterns of Liver Yang rising.
Why might Black Sesame Seed (Hei Zhi Ma) help with impaired vision?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat impaired vision as can be seen on Black Sesame Seed's page.
Black Sesame Seeds is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Nourishes the Liver and Kidney Yin. Nourishes Blood. Lubricates the Intestines.
Why might Black Atractylodes Rhizome (Cang Zhu) help with impaired vision?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat impaired vision as can be seen on Black Atractylodes Rhizome's page.
Black Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Dries Damp and tonifies the Spleen. Relieves the Exterior for invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp. Relieves Wind-Damp painful obstruction. Dries Damp for either Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat when combined with the correct herbs. Clears the eyes and improves sight.
Why might Milkvetch Seeds (Sha Yuan Zi) help with impaired vision?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat impaired vision as can be seen on Milkvetch Seeds's page.
Milkvetch Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang. Consolidates Essence and semen. Strengthens vision.
Other symptoms often associated with impaired vision
Dizziness Tinnitus Insomnia Scanty periods Depression Night sweats Palpitations Amenorrhea Dry skin Irritability