Eye Strain — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach
In TCM theory, the liver opens into the eyes, and prolonged visual strain depletes blood.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns
In TCM, this concern is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:
Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency
Formula: Qiju Dihuang Wan (Lycium and Chrysanthemum Rehmannia Pill) — from *Yi Ji*
Liver Blood Insufficiency
Formula: Siwu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction) — from *Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies*
Lung Yin Insufficiency
Formula: Yangyin Qingfei Tang (Nourish Yin and Clear the Lung Decoction) — from *Chong Lou Yu Yao*
Liver Depression and Qi Stagnation
Formula: Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) — from *Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies*
Damp-Heat in the Spleen and Stomach
Formula: San Ren Tang (Three Kernels Decoction) — from *Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases*
These formulas are for reference under TCM syndrome differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
Food Therapy & Diet
Dietary Therapy Recipes
- Goji Berry and Chrysanthemum Eye Tea: goji berries (gouqi) and chrysanthemum flowers; steep in boiling water for 10 minutes and drink as tea.
- Goji Berry, Chrysanthemum, and Pork Liver Soup: 150 g pork liver, 25 g goji berries (gouqi), 25 g chrysanthemum flowers, 150 g spinach.
- Pork Liver Custard: 100 g pork liver cooked until done, then add fermented black beans, scallion whites, and eggs.
- Chrysanthemum Eye Congee: 20 g chrysanthemum flowers ground into powder, 60 g polished round-grained rice (jingmi); cook into congee and add rock sugar.
- Black Bean and Goji Berry Congee: 100 g black beans, 3–5 g goji berries (gouqi), 5–10 Chinese dates; simmer until well cooked.
- Carrot Congee: 120 g carrot, 100 g polished round-grained rice (jingmi); cook into congee.
Dietary Principles
- Prefer foods rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene: carrot, animal liver, spinach, pumpkin.
- Prefer foods that may support yin, nourish blood, and benefit the eyes: goji berries, mulberry, black sesame, Chinese dates, longan.
- Include lutein-rich dark vegetables: spinach, broccoli, corn, egg yolk.
- Avoid spicy and dry-hot foods: chili, Sichuan pepper, fried foods.
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol, strong tea, and coffee.
- Avoid staying up late and prolonged screen use.
- For spleen-stomach damp-heat, avoid greasy, rich, and sweet foods.
Understanding the Condition
In TCM theory, the liver opens into the eyes, and prolonged visual strain depletes blood. Overuse of the eyes, staying up late, and age-related decline may be associated with liver blood deficiency and liver-kidney yin deficiency, so that essence and blood cannot ascend to nourish the eyes. The core mechanism is liver blood deficiency and liver-kidney yin deficiency.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.