Photophobia 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.
Photophobia 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 photophobia 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 photophobia is often associated with dizziness, blurred vision and numbness in the limbs in the pattern “Liver Yin Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of photophobia we’ve identified four 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 photophobia.
Liver Yin Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause photophobia
In Chinese Medicine photophobia is a symptom for the pattern "Liver Yin Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
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 photophobia, other symptoms associated with Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and numbness in the limbs.
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".
Four herbal formulas that might help with photophobia
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 photophobia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' of which photophobia 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 photophobia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' of which photophobia is a symptom.
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Blood. Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability . Clears Heat.
Why might Suan Zao Ren Tang help with photophobia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' of which photophobia is a symptom.
Yi Guan Jian
Source date: 1770
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Spreads the Liver Qi .
Why might Yi Guan Jian help with photophobia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' of which photophobia is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat photophobia
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with photophobia?
Because it is a key herb in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with photophobia as a symptom)
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 Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with photophobia?
Because it is a key herb in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with photophobia as a symptom)
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with photophobia?
Because it is a key herb in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with photophobia as a symptom)
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Why might Water Plantain (Ze Xie) help with photophobia?
Because it is a key herb in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with photophobia as a symptom)
Water Plantain is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with photophobia?
Because it is a key herb in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with photophobia as a symptom)
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Other symptoms often associated with photophobia
Dizziness Blurred vision Bloodshot eyes Vertigo Convulsions Sore throat Vaginitis Sores Restlessness Swollen eyes