Phlegm-dissipating medicines are those that have the effect of removing or eliminating phlegm. In clinical practice, for eye diseases caused by phlegm obstruction or phlegm stagnation, it is advisable to use phlegm-dissipating medicines with warm and dry properties. For eye diseases caused by phlegm-heat stagnation or phlegm-fire stirring wind, phlegm-dissipating medicines with cold and cool properties should be chosen. The medicine should be selected according to the symptoms.
1. Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings)
Effects: Clears heat, dissolves phlegm, relieves restlessness, and stops vomiting.
Application: Suitable for phlegm nodules and phlegm-fire disturbing the eye, especially when accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Commonly used in combination with Banxia (Pinellia ternata), Huanglian (Coptis chinensis), etc., as in the Huanglian Wendan Decoction.
2. Tiannanxing (Arisaema erubescens)
Effects: Dries dampness, dissolves phlegm, dispels wind, and relieves spasms.
Application:
(1) Used for deviation of the mouth and eyes, strabismus, double vision, and drooping of the upper eyelid caused by wind-phlegm obstruction. Often used in combination with Baifuzi (Typhonium flagelliforme), Jiangcan (Bombyx batryticatus), etc., as in the Zhengrong Decoction.
(2) Used for sudden blindness caused by phlegm-heat stagnation. Can be combined with Banxia (Pinellia ternata), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus immaturus), and Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings), as in the Diting Decoction.
Precautions: Tiannanxing (Arisaema erubescens) is mainly used internally, while Tiannanxing (Arisaema erubescens) powder is mainly used externally. The recommended dosage for internal use is 0.3-1g per dose. Pregnant women should use with caution.
3. Baifuzi (Typhonium flagelliforme)
Effects: Dispels wind, dissolves phlegm, opens the meridians, relieves spasms, and stops pain.
Application:
(1) Used for wind-phlegm obstruction, deviation of the mouth and eyes, strabismus, and drooping of the upper eyelid. Often used in combination with Dannanxing (Arisaema erubescens), Quanxie (Scorpio), etc.
(2) Used for eye nodules, cysts, protruding eyes, etc. Often used in combination with Kunbu (Laminaria japonica), Haizao (Sargassum), Chishao (Paeonia lactiflora), etc.
(3) Used for eye pain caused by wind-phlegm, such as trigeminal neuralgia and superior orbital neuralgia. Often used in combination with Quanxie (Scorpio), Jiangcan (Bombyx batryticatus), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata), etc.
Precautions: Baifuzi (Typhonium flagelliforme) is generally not used internally in its raw form. It can be used externally in appropriate amounts. Pregnant women should avoid using it.
4. Kunbu (Laminaria japonica)
Effects: Dissolves phlegm, softens hardness, and promotes diuresis.
Application: Used for phlegm nodules, protruding eyes, and proliferative lesions of the fundus. Kunbu (Laminaria japonica) has a similar phlegm-dissolving and softening effect as Haizao (Sargassum), and can be used in combination with Haizao (Sargassum), Gehake (Meretrix meretrix shell), etc.
5. Jiegeng (Platycodon grandiflorus)
Effects: Expands and ventilates lung qi, dissolves phlegm, and promotes pus drainage.
Application: Used for Jinjian (pterygium) and protruding eyes caused by lung qi obstruction. Jiegeng (Platycodon grandiflorus) can expand and ventilate lung qi and is commonly used to treat Jinjian. Often used in combination with Sangbaipi (Morus alba root bark), Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis), etc., as in the Xiefei Decoction; used for protruding eyes, it can be combined with Dahuang (Rheum palmatum), Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis), as in the Tuiere Jiegeng Beverage.
6. Haizao (Sargassum)
Effects: Dissolves phlegm, softens hardness, and promotes diuresis.
Application: Used for phlegm nodules, tumors, and proliferative scars causing protruding eyes. Often used in combination with Kunbu (Laminaria japonica), Beimu (Fritillaria cirrhosa), Qingpi (Citri reticulatae viride), etc., as in the Haizao Yuhu Decoction.
7. Banxia (Pinellia ternata)
Effects: Dries dampness, dissolves phlegm, reduces counterflow, stops vomiting, and disperses lumps and resolves masses.
Application:
(1) Used for phlegm-damp obstruction causing phlegm nodules. Often used in combination with Chenpi (Pericarpium citri reticulatae), Fuling (Poria cocos), etc., as in the Huajian Erchen Pill.
(2) Used for green pterygium caused by phlegm-fire stirring wind or phlegm-damp injury. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and cloudiness of the white of the eye, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. If it is caused by phlegm-fire stirring wind, it can be combined with Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis), as in the Jiangjun Dingtong Pill; if it is caused by phlegm-damp invasion, it can be combined with Lingyangjiao (Antelope horn), Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), etc., as in the Banxia Lingyangjiao Powder.
(3) Used for retinal and various exudative spots caused by phlegm stagnation and qi stasis or phlegm-blood intermingling. Can be used in combination with Zhebei (Bletilla striata), Haizao (Sargassum), Kunbu (Laminaria japonica), etc.
Precautions: Banxia (Pinellia ternata) should be prepared before internal use, while raw Banxia (Pinellia ternata) can be used externally in appropriate amounts.
