In TCM, vernal keratoconjunctivitis is referred to as shí fù mù yăng (时复目痒, seasonal eye itching) as well as “ yăng ruò chóng xíng zhèng” (痒若虫行症, itching like worm crawling).

The primary case in this chapter centers on a presentation that commonly encountered in clinical practice. Innumerable patients sufer with recurrent seasonal allergic symptoms. And, frequently, the majority of them present in just this way: with spleen defciency and dampness along with an external pathogen. The key to efective and successful treatment is based on integrating a treatment strategy that strengthens the root and simultaneously alleviates the branch manifestations. One might even say that treatment with steroidal and antihistamine drops are a branch treatment and while they are effective for managing symptoms, Chinese medicine’s ability to weave together a holistic strategy that boosts a patient’s health while simultaneously managing the symptoms is the very best method.

Because the patient has a mixed presentation of excess and deficiency, the physician uses a root-branch treatment strategy: Bŭ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng is modifed with a well-known group of medicinals that alleviate itching. Of this group, kŭ shēn, báixiān pí and dì fū zĭ are all cold, biter and draining, while shé chuáng zĭ is warm, acrid and supplementing. Afer 3 weeks of treatment, he is improved, but his constitution is still weak. The formula is reassessed and now, he is given a diferent tonic formula Bā Zhēn Tāng (Eight Gem Decoction) to shif the emphasis towards blood tonifcation. Additionally, the itch-relieving medicinals are dialed back—now only using kŭ shēn and shé chuáng zĭ.