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 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.
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 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
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".
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.
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.
Xie Qing Wan
Why might Xie Qing 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
Other symptoms often associated with red eyes
Irritability Constipation Breast lumps Breast pain Breast distention Breast hardness Breast redness Uneven milk supply Dry mouth Depression