Styesaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Eye Disorders and Symptoms
Sub-symptom(s): Recalcitrant Hordeolum
What is Styes?
Styes, medically known as hordeola, are small, painful lumps on the eyelid, often resulting from infected eyelash follicles. They appear as red, swollen areas, similar to pimples, and can occur on the inside or the outside of the eyelid.
Styes can cause discomfort and irritation, often accompanied by tearing and sensitivity to light. While typically self-resolving, they can recur or persist as a recalcitrant hordeolum, necessitating medical intervention.
How does TCM view Styes?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets styes as a result of internal imbalances and external pathogenic factors. TCM connects eye health closely to the Liver, and styes are often seen as manifestations of Heat and Toxin accumulation or Blood Stagnation in this organ system.
The focus in TCM is not just on treating the symptoms but addressing the underlying disharmony in the body's Qi, Blood, and vital substances.
Causes of Styes according to TCM
In TCM, styes are primarily attributed to two patterns. One is the accumulation of Heat and Toxins, manifests as infection and inflammation in the eyes.
Another common cause is Blood Stagnation, which can lead to blockages in the small channels around the eyes, resulting in styes. Identifying the precise TCM pattern is crucial for effective treatment, as it guides the selection of appropriate herbal formulas and acupuncture points.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Styes
TCM offers several herbal formulas for treating styes. Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, featuring Peach Kernels, is commonly used to address Blood Stagnation, promoting Blood circulation and clearing blockages. For styes caused by external Cold invasion, Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, with its warming properties, is effective.
Additionally, Shi Wei Bai Du San is recommended for clearing external abscesses and sores, indicative of Toxic-Heat patterns. The choice of formula depends on the individual's specific TCM diagnosis and the underlying disharmony patterns.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address styes, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that warm and purge
- Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Styes can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
Formulas that warm and purge
Styes can be treated by these formulas if it stems from cold accumulation coupled with excess conditions, necessitating warming and purging actions.
One such formula is Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores
Styes can be treated by formulas that clear external abscesses and sores if it is due to localized infections or inflammations on the skin.
One such formula is Shi Wei Bai Du San, with saposhnikovia root as a key herb.
Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Styes can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold in the middle jiao (digestive region), necessitating warming and cold-dispelling actions.
One such formula is Wu Zhu Yu Tang, with evodia fruit as a key herb.
Acupoints for Styes
Acupuncture is another integral part of TCM treatment for styes. The Hegu LI-4 point on the Large Intestine Channel is particularly effective. Located between the thumb and index finger, Hegu is known for its ability to expel Wind and regulate Defensive Qi, which can be beneficial in treating styes.
This point also harmonizes the ascending and descending functions of the body’s Yang and Yin, promoting overall balance, which is crucial in TCM for treating and preventing styes.
See more details below about Hegu LI-4, an acupoint used to address styes.
- By Meridian
- Large Intestine Channel
Hegu LI-4
Between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.
TCM Herbs for Styes
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address styes, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Styes can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for styes, like Da Huang Fu Zi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold" recommended for styes
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) | Da Huang Fu Zi Tang |
| Evodia Fruits (Wu Zhu Yu) | Wu Zhu Yu Tang |
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Styes can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng), a key herb in some formulas recommended for styes, like Shi Wei Bai Du San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for styes
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) | Shi Wei Bai Du San |
| Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) | Shi Wei Bai Du San |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Styes can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for styes, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Styes can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for styes, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.