Timeless Vision: Ancient Remedies to Combat Presbyopia, Nearsightedness, Floaters, and Dry Eye

Oct 18, 2024 - 10:07 Updated: Oct 17, 2024 - 20:14

Timeless Vision: Ancient Remedies to Combat Presbyopia, Nearsightedness, Floaters, and Dry Eye

Conditions such as presbyopia, nearsightedness, floaters, and dry eye can be alleviated with herbs and massage as directed by traditional Chinese medicine.

Prolonged screen time on computers or smartphones can lead to dry eyes, eye fatigue, and blurred vision. Additionally, extended hours in air-conditioned environments or staying up late watching TV or playing games can strain the eyes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers various natural therapies to maintain eye health.

TCM has been used for thousands of years to treat various illnesses. It often employs natural therapies, including herbal remedies, acupressure, dietary adjustments, eye exercises, and warm compresses, to prevent and treat eye conditions.

According to TCM, meridians are channels through which energy flows in the human body, responsible for transporting nutrients and energy throughout. When meridians are blocked, the corresponding organs may not receive adequate nutrition and energy, making them more susceptible to illness. Massaging or needling acupoints along these meridians can help unblock them, thereby promoting the health of the associated organs.

Herbal Eye Care Tea

In TCM, chrysanthemum tea with goji berries is commonly used for eye care, and the addition of cassia seeds can further enhance its benefits.

Ingredients:

0.11 ounces (3 grams) chrysanthemum
0.18 ounces (5 grams) cassia seeds
0.18 ounces (5 grams) goji berries

Instructions: Place the herbs in a pot and pour in 10 to 17 fluid ounces (300 to 500 milliliters) of boiling water to steep.

Brew a fresh pot each day for the whole family to enjoy. You can also prepare a tea bag for your child to take to school, allowing them to enjoy fresh tea from their thermos whenever they like.

Effects: Chrysanthemum and goji berries help moisturize the eyes and relieve dryness. Cassia seeds are an excellent herb for eye care and effective for conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and astigmatism. A clinical trial showed that a supplement containing extracts of cassia seeds and goji berries had a significant therapeutic effect on dry eye syndrome.

Drinking tea made from raw cassia seeds can promote bowel movements, reduce fat, and lower blood pressure, making it particularly beneficial for those with constipation, obesity, or high blood pressure. Additionally, cassia seeds contain flavonoids and anthraquinones, which offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, liver-protective, immune-regulating, and lipid-lowering effects.

Note: Cassia seeds, known in TCM as a cooling herb, can induce uterine contractions and lower blood pressure. As a result, they are not suitable for pregnant women, individuals with low blood pressure, or those with a yang-deficient constitution (i.e., people who frequently experience cold hands and feet).

Goji berries contain antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein, which are beneficial for preventing and treating eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and retinitis pigmentosa.

A study on chrysanthemum found that consuming chrysanthemum water extract can reduce oxidative stress caused by light damage, providing potential protective benefits for the retina.

Acupoint Massage

One study showed that eye exercises involving acupoint massage around the eyes can provide some protection against myopia. When combined with auricular acupressure, it demonstrated promising clinical results in treating adolescent pseudomyopia. Another clinical case reported that presbyopia patients experienced significant improvement in near visual acuity after receiving acupuncture on specific acupoints for seven days.

Massaging the following 10 acupoints (as shown in the diagram) for three to five minutes each session is recommended.

Locations of the Guangming I and Guangming II acupoints. (The Epoch Times) — Locations of the Guangming I and Guangming II acupoints. The Epoch Times
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Location of the Guangming acupoint. (The Epoch Times) — Location of the Guangming acupoint. The Epoch Times

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Guangming point I and Guangming point II: Located on the pad of the little finger and the second joint of the little finger, respectively.
Guangming: Located on the outer side of the lower leg, five inches above the tip of the outer ankle. Massaging these three acupoints can help relieve eye fatigue, dryness, presbyopia, myopia, and blurred vision.
Fengchi: Pressing this acupoint can promote blood circulation and relieve eye soreness.
Taixi: Pressing this acupoint can unblock the kidney meridian and improve vision.
Yongquan: Pressing this acupoint can alleviate dry, sore, and irritated eyes.
Cuanzhu, Yuyao, Tongziliao, and Chengqi: Pressing these acupoints around the eyes can relieve dryness and stinging and help reduce eye bags.

Locations of the Fengchi, Taixi, and Yongquan acupoints. (The Epoch Times) — Locations of the Fengchi, Taixi, and Yongquan acupoints. The Epoch Times
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Locations of the Cuanzhu, Yuyao, Tongziliao, and Chengqi acupoints. (The Epoch Times) — Locations of the Cuanzhu, Yuyao, Tongziliao, and Chengqi acupoints. The Epoch Times

Eye Care Exercises

Here are two simple eye care exercises:

1. Eye Relaxation Exercise

First, rub your palms together to generate warmth. Then, slightly bend your fingers inward and place your palms or fingers over your eyes. Rotate your hands nine times to the left, then nine times to the right. You can keep your eyes open or closed and choose whether to follow your hands with your eyes.

There are six meridians in the hands, and this exercise helps transfer their energy to the eyes, leaving them feeling refreshed.

2. Blinking exercise

A study found that prolonged screen time can lead to dry eyes, eye strain, a foreign body sensation, burning, and headaches. Blinking frequently can significantly reduce the risk of developing dry eye syndrome. Therefore, when staring at a screen, it is advisable to blink regularly to stimulate tear production, clear away irritants, and help keep the eyes clear and bright.

Many people use artificial tears or eye drops to alleviate dryness. However, artificial tears are chemical solutions that provide only temporary relief and do not address the underlying cause, so regular use is not recommended. Similarly, eye drops, which constrict blood vessels, should be used sparingly.

Warm Compress

Clinically, the “head-shaking method” has been shown to alleviate symptoms in some patients with floaters. For those who do not find this method effective, the ancient Chinese remedy “Xiao-Feng Powder,” combined with warm compress therapy, may provide relief.

Ingredients

0.11 ounces (3 grams) dried tangerine peel
0.11 ounces (3 grams) gentian root
0.11 ounces (3 grams) Saposhnikovia root
0.11 ounces (3 grams) Herba Asari
0.05 ounces (1.5 grams) Coptis rhizome
0.05 ounces (1.5 grams) costus root

Instructions

Place the herbs in a pot and pour in 10 fluid ounces (300 milliliters) of hot water to steep. Then, strain the herbal infusion into a bowl.
Immerse a towel in the hot herbal liquid to soak it. Once soaked, remove the towel and gently wring out any excess moisture.
Unfold the towel and place it over your eyes for about 10 minutes.

Effects: Dried tangerine peel and costus root promote energy flow and help eliminate dampness. Gentian root, Herba Asari, and Saposhnikovia root aid in expelling pathogenic wind from the body, while Coptis rhizome effectively clears heat and detoxifies.

Note: When using the warm compress, ensure the temperature is comfortable—neither too hot nor too cold—and keep your eyes closed.

Eye-Soothing Steam Therapy

The ancient Chinese text “Yin-Hai Jing-Wei (Essential Subtleties on the Silver Sea”) describes a formula known as “Eye Cleansing Powder,” commonly used for steaming to nourish the eyes. This remedy helps alleviate dryness and fatigue while also preventing eye aging.

Ingredients

0.11 ounces (3 grams) rhubarb
0.11 ounces (3 grams) gardenia fruit
0.11 ounces (3 grams) Saposhnikovia root
0.11 ounces (3 grams) peppermint
0.11 ounces (3 grams) Szechuan lovage root
0.11 ounces (3 grams) notopterygium root
0.11 ounces (3 grams) licorice root

Instructions

Place the herbs in a pot and pour in 10 to 17 fluid ounces (300 to 500 milliliters) of boiling water to steep
Pour the liquid into a cup and test the steam temperature with the back of your hand—it should feel pleasantly warm but not too hot.
Position your eyes near the cup to steam them with the hot vapor for about 10 minutes each day.
For optimal results, continue this steaming treatment for a week.

Effects: Rhubarb and gardenia fruit help eliminate excess heat and fire from the body. Once the liver fire is dispelled, symptoms of dry eyes will naturally subside. Saposhnikovia root, peppermint, and notopterygium root work to remove internal wind. Szechuan lovage root promotes blood circulation, while licorice root aids in clearing heat and detoxifying. According to TCM, heat, fire, and wind are all pathogenic factors that can lead to illness in the body.

Research has shown that rhubarb possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-cancer effects. Furthermore, it can significantly reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and promote vasodilation.

Diet Therapy

Nutrients found in certain foods can also aid in the reduction of eye symptoms.

Spinach is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. A study indicated that a high dietary intake of these carotenoids can significantly reduce the risk of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Here is a recipe featuring pork liver, spinach, and four other foods that are beneficial for eye health.

Pork Liver Soup With Spinach

Ingredients

2.17 ounces (60 grams) pork liver
4.59 ounces (130 grams) spinach
34 fluid ounces (1000 milliliters) broth
A pinch of Psoralea fruit, Flos Eriocauli, goji berries, and Szechuan lovage root
A dash of sesame oil and salt

Instructions

Slice the pork liver and bring the broth to a boil.
Blanch the spinach before cooking to reduce the oxalic acid content.
Add all the ingredients and herbs, cook for five minutes, and it is ready to serve.

4 Essential Foods for Eye Health

Mulberries, goji berries, pumpkin flowers, and cauliflower all benefit eye health. Regular consumption of mulberries, pumpkin flowers, and cauliflower can enhance hearing and improve vision. Goji berries can be eaten dried, with a recommended daily intake of 10 berries, as excessive consumption may cause diarrhea. One study suggested that goji berries may support ocular health and improve retinal diseases.

Types of Foods to Avoid

It is best to avoid stimulating foods like scallions, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers, as they can lead to eye discomfort. If you experience any discomfort after eating these foods, drinking a cup of strong tea may help relieve the symptoms.

Dry Eye Relief Tea

Older adults are often susceptible to dry eyes, and they may also experience blocked tear ducts, preventing tears from draining properly and contributing to eye discharge. The following tea recipe can help alleviate this condition.

Ingredients

0.67 ounces (19 grams) Astragalus root
0.39 ounces (11 grams) Angelica sinensis
0.39 ounces (11 grams) Psoralea fruit
0.39 ounces (11 grams) walnut kernel
0.39 ounces (11 grams) Rehmannia root
0.39 ounces (11 grams) goji berries

Instructions

Add the herbs to a pot
Pour in 68 fluid ounces (2,000 milliliters) of boiling water
Let it steep for a few minutes before serving.

Note: This tea should not be consumed during an acute cold.

Note: Some herbs mentioned in this article may be unfamiliar, but they are generally available in health food and Asian grocery stores. It is important to note that treatment methods may vary depending on the individual. Please consult with a health care professional for a specific treatment plan.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.