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 red face 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.
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
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 red face.
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
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".
Source date: Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.
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.
The top herbs in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang are Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao), Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) and Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi)
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.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' of which red eyes is a symptom.
The top herbs in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan are Dong Quai (Dang Gui), Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) and Aloe Vera (Lu Hui)
Source date: 1172 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Drains Liver and Gallbladder Fire Excess.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' of which red eyes is a symptom.
The top herbs in Xie Qing Wan are Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao), Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) and Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi)
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' of which red eyes is a symptom.
The top herbs in Zi Xue Dan are Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), Saiga Antelope's Horns (Ling Yang Jiao) and Musk (She Xiang)
Source date: 752 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Controls spasms and convulsions. Extinguishes Wind.
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.
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red eyes as a symptom, like Feng Yin Tang or E Jiao Ji Zi Huang 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.
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red eyes as a symptom, like Dang Gui Long Hui Wan or Jia Wei 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.
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red eyes as a symptom, like Bu Gan Tang or Si Wu 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.
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.
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 Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Irritability Constipation Breast lumps Breast pain Breast distention Breast hardness Breast redness Uneven milk supply Dry mouth Depression