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, breast lumps and breast pain in the pattern “Liver Qi Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record four 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 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 red eyes.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause red eyes
In Chinese Medicine red 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 Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
When Liver Qi does not flow smoothly or regularly, it becomes Stagnant and in Excess. This leads to Heat accumulating in the Liver. The feeling of ‘Distension’ (zhang 胀) is the main symptom of Liver Qi Stagnation.
In addition to red eyes, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include irritability, breast lumps and breast pain.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Qi Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Mastitis or Breast Engorgement.
Liver Qi Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
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 red face.
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".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
This pattern develops from Liver Qi Stagnation, which creates excessive amount of Heat and then turn into Liver Fire. The Heat is more intense here.
In addition to red eyes, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire include irritability, constipation and depression.
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire is often treated with Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Mudan Peony Bark - Mu Dan Pi - as a key herb). Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear liver-heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to red eyes, other symptoms associated with Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat include breast lumps, breast pain and breast distention.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat is associated with health issues such as Mastitis, Breast Engorgement or Morning Sickness.
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat is often treated with Qing Wei San, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Goldthread Rhizomes - Huang Lian - as a key herb). Qing Wei San 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: "Drains Stomach Fire".
Four herbal formulas that might help with red eyes
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Source date: Ming dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation. Tonifies Spleen. Clears Deficient Heat. Nourishes the blood.
Why might Jia Wei Xiao Yao San help with red eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which red eyes is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Qi Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Mastitis.
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 red eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat' of which red eyes is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat can contribute to many health issues, including Mastitis.
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.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Fire Blazing include irritability, constipation and red face.
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Source date: 2002 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi.
Why might Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San help with red eyes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire' of which red eyes is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stagnant Liver Qi Turning Into Fire include irritability, constipation and depression.
Acupuncture points used for red eyes
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat red eyes
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with red eyes?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red eyes as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with red eyes?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red eyes as a symptom, like Dang Gui Long Hui Wan or Gua Lou San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
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 Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with red eyes?
Because Cape Jasmine Fruit is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red eyes as a symptom, like Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance.
Cape Jasmine Fruits is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Lung and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with red eyes?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red eyes as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San for instance.
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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with red eyes?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red eyes as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Wen Dan Tang 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.
Conditions associated with red eyes
Other symptoms often associated with red eyes
Irritability Breast lumps Breast pain Breast distention Breast hardness Breast redness Uneven milk supply Dry mouth Constipation Depression