Say Byebye to "Dark Circles"!
Many women worry that dark circles make them look older. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dark circles are mostly caused by kidney qi deficiency, insufficient essence and energy, poor blood circulation, and lack of nourishment to the eyes. Long-term熬夜 (sleep deprivation), playing mahjong, excessive TV watching, internet use, especially chronic insomnia, are direct factors leading to dark circles. After consulting a doctor to rule out other diseases, you may try the following methods:
1. Eye Massage:
1. Zanzhu (the slight depression between the eyebrows): Use your index finger to press both acupoints, massaging as if pushing the two points together.
2. Sizhukong (slightly indented area at the outer end of the eyebrow): Gently push and rub inward using your middle or index finger.
3. Taiyang (1 cm outside the line connecting the eyebrow tip and outer eye corner): Press the point with your middle finger and gently push toward the center of the face. You can also apply eye massage cream or nourishing eye cream on the skin around the eyes. Use your ring finger to press each of the following points: eye tail, Qiuhou (middle third of lower orbital rim), Sibai (inner third of lower orbital rim), Yiming (above inner corner of the eye), Yuyao (center of the eyebrow), Yingxiang (lateral side of the nostril). Press each point for 3–5 seconds, then release. Repeat this 10 times. Place your middle finger on the upper eyelid and your ring finger on the lower eyelid, gently pulling from the inner to outer corner of the eye, repeating 10 times. Then lightly tap around the eye area with the tips of your index, middle, and ring fingers for 3–5 rounds.
2. Eye Compresses:
1. Horse Chestnut and Lotus Root Residue Eye Mask: Wash horse chestnuts and lotus roots, peel the horse chestnuts, chop both into pieces, place in a juicer, add 2 cups of water, and blend. Apply the residue to the eyes for 10 minutes before bedtime; the juice can be consumed.
2. Potato Slice Eye Mask: Peel and wash potatoes, cut into 1-cm thick slices. Place potato slices on the eyes for about 5 minutes, then rinse the face with clean water. Do not use sprouted potatoes.
3. Persimmon Paste Eye Mask: Cut open ripe persimmons, scoop out the pulp, mix well, and apply to the eyes for 10 minutes. Wipe off with a damp towel. Use twice daily, morning and evening.
4. Tea Bag Eye Compress: Place used black tea bags on the dark circle area for about 5 minutes.
3. Herbal Kidney Tonification:
TCM treatment mainly focuses on nourishing the liver and kidneys and relieving stagnation to improve vision. For those with kidney yin deficiency, take Liuwei Dihuang Wan, Zhibai Dihuang Tang, or Gouju Dihuang Wan. For kidney yang deficiency, use Gui Fu Dihuang Wan for warming tonification.
4. Dietary Therapy:
Foods rich in vitamin A such as sesame seeds, peanuts, soybeans, carrots, chicken liver, and pork liver help eliminate dark circles. Additionally, you can prepare a goji berry and red date tea.