Red 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.
Red 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 red 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 red eyes is often associated with irritability, constipation and dizziness in the pattern “Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause red eyes.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of red 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 red eyes.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause red eyes
In Chinese Medicine red eyes is a symptom for 2 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 Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to red eyes, other symptoms associated with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire include irritability, constipation and dizziness.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire 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 Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire here
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Fire Blazing
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to red eyes, other symptoms associated with Liver Fire Blazing include irritability, constipation and dizziness.
Liver Fire Blazing is often treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Chinese Gentian - Long Dan Cao - as a key herb). Long Dan Xie Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder".
Five herbal formulas that might help with red eyes
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 red eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire' of which red eyes is a symptom.
Zi Xue Dan
Source date: 752 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Controls spasms and convulsions. Extinguishes Wind.
Why might Zi Xue Dan help with red eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire' of which red eyes is a symptom.
Feng Yin Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Extinguishes and pacifies Wind with heavy medicinals. Calms the Mind. Clears Heat.
Why might Feng Yin Tang help with red eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire' of which red eyes is a symptom.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with red eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' of which red eyes is a symptom.
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Source date: 1172 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Drains Liver and Gallbladder Fire Excess.
Why might Dang Gui Long Hui Wan help with red eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' of which red eyes is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for red eyes
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat red eyes
Why might Pig Gall (Zhu Dan) help with red eyes?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat red eyes as can be seen on Pig Gall's page.
Pig Galls is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Toxic-Heat. Moistens the Intestines and unblock stools.
Why might Chinese Holly Leaf (Gong Lao Ye) help with red eyes?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat red eyes as can be seen on Chinese Holly Leaf's page.
Chinese Holly Leaves is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat. Nourishes Yin. Relieves cough and resolves Phlegm.
Why might Pipewort Flower (Gu Jing Cao) help with red eyes?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat red eyes as can be seen on Pipewort Flower's page.
Pipewort Flowers is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Stomach and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Disperses Wind-Heat in the Liver Channel. Brightens the eyes and eliminates superficial visual obstruction.
Why might Borax (Peng Sha) help with red eyes?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat red eyes as can be seen on Borax's page.
Borax is a Cool herb that tastes Salty and Sweet. It targets the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Applied topically for Toxic-Heat. Clears Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs.
Why might Ash Bark (Qin Pi) help with red eyes?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat red eyes as can be seen on Ash Bark's page.
Ash Barks is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Stomach, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat diarrhea. Eliminates Liver Fire and brightens the eyes. Dispels Wind-Damp painful obstruction (Bi Pain). Relieves cough and wheezing.
Other symptoms often associated with red eyes
Irritability Constipation Breast lumps Breast pain Breast distention Breast hardness Breast redness Uneven milk supply Dry mouth Dizziness