Many women worry that dark circles will make them look older. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that dark circles are mostly caused by deficiency of kidney qi, insufficient essence, poor circulation of meridians, and lack of nourishment for the eyes. Long-term staying up late, playing mahjong, excessive TV watching, and internet use, especially long-term insomnia, are direct factors leading to dark circles. After ruling out other diseases with a doctor, you can try the following methods:
1. Eye massage:
1. Zan Zhu (the slightly concave area between the eyebrows): Press the acupoints on both sides with your thumbs and massage them together.
2. Si Zhu Kong (the slightly concave area at the end of the eyebrows): Slowly and gently massage inward with your middle finger or index finger.
3. Tai Yang (1 cm outside the line connecting the end of the eyebrows and the outer eye line): Press the acupoint with your middle finger and gently massage it towards the center of the face. You can also apply eye massage cream or eye nutrition cream on the skin around the eyes, and press the acupoints with your ring finger at the end of the eye, behind the eyeball (1/3 outside the lower eyelid), Si Bai (1/3 inside the lower eyelid), Yan Ming (above the inner corner of the eye), Yu Yao (middle of the eyebrow), and Ying Xiang (outside the nostril). Press each acupoint for 3-5 seconds and then relax. Do it continuously for 10 times. Place your middle finger on the upper eyelid and your ring finger on the lower eyelid, gently pull and massage from the inner canthus to the outer canthus for 10 times. Then, use the fingertips of your index finger, middle finger, and ring finger to lightly tap the area around the eyes for 3-5 circles.
2. Eye mask:
1. Lotus and horsehoof paste eye mask: Wash the lotus and horsehoof, peel the horsehoof, then chop them into small pieces and put them into a juicer with 2 cups of water. Apply the paste on the eyes for 10 minutes before sleep, and the juice can be consumed.
2. Potato slice eye mask: Peel and wash the potato, then cut it into thick slices. Apply the potato slices on the eyes for about 5 minutes, and then rinse the face with clean water. Use potatoes that have not sprouted.
3. Persimmon paste eye mask: Cut open a ripe persimmon, scoop out the pulp, mix it well, and apply on the eyes for 10 minutes. Wipe off with a moist towel, once in the morning and once in the evening.
4. Tea bag eye mask: Apply used black tea bags on the dark circles for about 5 minutes.
3. Herbal kidney tonics:
Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on nourishing the liver and kidneys, and clearing the mind to improve eyesight. For those with insufficient kidney yin, they can take Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Zhi Bo Di Huang Tang, Gou Ju Di Huang Wan, etc. For those with insufficient kidney yang, Gui Fu Di Huang Wan and other warm tonics are recommended.
4. Dietary therapy:
Foods rich in vitamin A, such as sesame, peanuts, soybeans, carrots, chicken liver, and pig liver, can help eliminate dark circles. In addition, you can make a goji berry and red date tea.
