Say Bye 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 circulation in the meridians, and lack of nourishment for the eyes. Long-term熬夜 (staying up late), playing mahjong, excessive TV watching or 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 (a slight depression between the eyebrows): Use your thumbs to press both acupoints, massaging as if pushing the two points toward each other.
2) Sizhukong (a slightly depressed 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 the outer canthus): Press the point with your middle finger and gently push toward the center of the face. You may also apply eye massage cream or eye nourishing cream on the skin around the eyes. Use your ring finger to press acupoints at the outer corner of the eye, Qiuhou (the middle third of the lower orbital rim), Sibai (the inner third of the lower orbital rim), Yiming (above the inner canthus), Yuyao (center of the eyebrow), Yingxiang (lateral side of the nostril). Press each point for 3–5 seconds, then release. Repeat this cycle 10 times. Place your middle finger on the upper eyelid and your ring finger on the lower eyelid, gently pulling from the inner canthus outward 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-Head Lotus Root Residue Eye Mask: Wash horse-head root and lotus root, peel the horse-head root, chop both into pieces, place in a juicer with 2 cups of water, and blend. Apply the pulp to the eyes for 10 minutes before bedtime; the juice can be consumed.
2) Potato Slice Eye Mask: Peel and wash potatoes, cut into slices about 1 cm thick. Place the slices on the eyes for approximately 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 flesh, mix evenly, 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 a used black tea bag on the dark circle area for about 5 minutes.
3. Herbal Remedies for Kidney Tonification:
TCM treatment primarily focuses on nourishing the liver and kidneys, relieving stagnation, and improving 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 may prepare goji berry tea using goji berries and red dates.