Dark circles under the eyes are a common concern for many young women who care about their appearance. Many people believe that dark circles have a significant impact on their appearance. In fact, dark circles indirectly reflect the individual's physical health. Do you know what dark circles represent and how to alleviate them? What are some dietary therapies for dark circles? Let's take a look.
Causes of Dark Circles
Many people believe that dark circles only appear due to staying up late. However, aside from this reason, some gynecological diseases can also cause dark circles. For example, dysmenorrhea or irregular menstruation can lead to the appearance of panda eyes. Did you know that gynecological diseases can also cause dark circles?
The main cause of dark circles is the abnormal circulation of qi and blood, which is manifested as dark circles on the face. Excessive menstrual blood or functional uterine bleeding, as well as some ovarian diseases, can also cause dark circles. In summary, if dark circles persist, women may consider undergoing a physical examination, including a gynecological examination.
Women should pay special attention to the appearance of crescent-shaped dark circles. These dark circles are brown or light gray-black crescent-shaped lines that extend approximately 45 degrees downward from the inner corner of the eye. They are not very noticeable in youth but gradually move outward and upward to reach the outer corner of the eye in middle and old age, forming a complete semicircle measuring a few millimeters.
This type of dark circle is mainly caused by changes in age and physical health. Most people with this type of dark circles experience symptoms such as insomnia and anemia. Sometimes, it can also be caused by irregular menstruation, functional uterine bleeding, or uncontrolled sexual activity.
In general, traditional Chinese medicine experts suggest that the formation of dark circles is related to the following factors: lack of sleep, excessive fatigue, causing the eyelids to not rest and remain in a tense and contracted state for a long time, resulting in increased blood flow in the area and congestion of blood vessels under the skin, leading to dark circles; deficiency of kidney qi, causing a lack of nourishment of essence and allowing black color to float to the surface, resulting in dark circles; people who are chronically ill or have just recovered from a serious illness often have weak subcutaneous tissues around the eyes, making the skin prone to pigmentation and easily revealing a layer of dark circles; women with menstrual disorders, such as functional uterine bleeding, primary dysmenorrhea, early or delayed menstruation, prolonged menstrual period, or excessive menstrual flow, are also prone to dark circles.
Here are a few dietary therapies to alleviate dark circles:
1. Goji Berry and Pig Liver Soup
Ingredients: 50g goji berries, 400g pig liver, 2 slices of ginger, a pinch of salt.
Method: Rinse the goji berries with water. Rinse the pig liver and ginger separately with clean water. Slice the pig liver and peel the ginger to obtain 2 slices. First, add an appropriate amount of water to the goji berries and ginger, then boil over high heat for about 30 minutes. Switch to medium heat and continue boiling for about 45 minutes, then add the pig liver. Cook until the pig liver is thoroughly cooked, season with salt, and it is ready to be consumed. Take once in the morning and once in the evening.
Effect: Nourishes deficiency, replenishes essence, clears heat, dispels wind, nourishes blood, and brightens the eyes. It helps prevent dark circles caused by liver and kidney deficiency.
2. American Ginseng, Pig Blood, and Bean Sprout Soup
Ingredients: 15g American ginseng, 250g fresh pig blood, 250g bean sprouts (roots and bean pods removed), 200g lean pork, 2 slices of ginger, a pinch of salt.
Method: Rinse all the ingredients with water. Slice the American ginseng and lean pork. Peel the ginger and slice it. Place all the ingredients in a clay pot with an appropriate amount of water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Then, reduce to low heat and simmer for about an hour. Add salt to season, and it is ready to be consumed once a day.
Effect: Nourishes the spirit, replenishes blood, and removes dark circles.
