Eye Bags: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Eye bags, also known as periorbital puffiness or puffy eyes, refer to the visible swelling or discoloration under the eyes, typically occurring due to fluid retention, genetics, allergies, lack of sleep, excessive salt consumption, and nutritional deficiencies.

If left untreated, eye bags can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and decreased vision. To alleviate eye bags, herbal remedies like chamomile tea, cooled cucumber slices, and aloe vera gel can be applied to reduce inflammation and hydrate the skin.

However, when using medicinal herbs, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional and follow proper dosages to avoid interactions with other medications and exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of eye bags, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of eye bags?

The main causes of eye bags are multifaceted and involve various physiological and environmental factors.

Fluid accumulation, caused by poor lymphatic drainage, is a primary contributor to eye bags, with research suggesting that the body's ability to drain excess fluid from the orbital area is compromised due to genetic factors and anatomical limitations. Allergies, sinus infections, and rhinitis can also lead to eye bag formation by causing puffiness and swelling in the orbital region. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as lack of sleep, poor diet, and excessive sodium intake can contribute to eye bag development by causing fluid retention and inflammation in the body.

Furthermore, hormonal fluctuations, particularly those experienced during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can also lead to eye bag formation due to water retention and changes in skin texture.

• Dehydration: Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, causing the eyes to appear puffy and swollen due to the concentration of fluids and electrolytes in the body.
• Sleep Deprivation: Sleep deprivation causes the body to release stress hormones such as cortisol, which leads to water retention and swelling in the eyes.
• Allergies: Allergies trigger the release of histamine, a chemical that causes blood vessels to swell and leads to puffiness and redness in the eyes.
• Genetics: Genetics play a significant role in determining the shape and size of the eyes, with some people naturally more prone to eye bags due to their facial structure.
• Smoking: Smoking causes the blood vessels in the face to constrict, leading to poor circulation and the appearance of eye bags.
• Nutrient Deficiency: Nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamins C and K, can cause blood vessels to become fragile and lead to eye bag formation.
• Sinus Pressure: Sinus pressure and congestion cause the skin around the eyes to become inflamed and swollen, leading to eye bags.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause can cause water retention and swelling in the eyes.
• Age-Related Relaxation: As we age, the skin around the eyes loses its elasticity and the fat that helps to cushion the eyes begins to sag, causing eye bags to form.
• Weakened Facial Muscles: Weakened facial muscles, often due to age or genetics, can cause the skin around the eyes to sag and lead to eye bag formation.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for eye bags?

The main medicinal herbs used for eye bags are Aloe barbadensis, Ginkgo biloba, Camellia sinensis, Vitis vinifera, Cucumis sativus, Silybum marianum, Ruscus aculeatus, Cinchona officinalis, Rosa rubiginosa, and Rosmarinus officinalis.

Aloe barbadensis contains aloin and aloe-emodin, which have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce puffiness and swelling. Ginkgo biloba has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that improve circulation and reduce eye strain. Camellia sinensis, Vitis vinifera, and Cucumis sativus contain flavonoids and anthocyanins that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce puffiness and dark circles.

Cinchona officinalis, Rosa rubiginosa, and Rosmarinus officinalis contain compounds that improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and have a vasoconstrictive effect, which helps to reduce eye bags and dark circles.

• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps with eye bags by reducing inflammation and soothing the skin due to its anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties, which can help to alleviate puffiness and discoloration around the eyes.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba helps with eye bags by improving circulation and reducing inflammation, which can help to decrease puffiness and promote a more even-toned appearance around the eyes.
• Camellia sinensis: Camellia sinensis helps with eye bags by reducing inflammation and promoting lymphatic drainage due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to alleviate puffiness and promote a more radiant complexion.
• Vitis vinifera: Vitis vinifera helps with eye bags by improving circulation and reducing inflammation due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to decrease puffiness and promote a more even-toned appearance around the eyes.
• Cucumis sativus: Cucumis sativus helps with eye bags by soothing and hydrating the skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help to alleviate puffiness and discoloration around the eyes.
• Silybum marianum: Silybum marianum helps with eye bags by reducing inflammation and promoting liver health, which can help to alleviate puffiness and promote a more radiant complexion by removing toxins from the body.
• Ruscus aculeatus: Ruscus aculeatus helps with eye bags by improving circulation and reducing puffiness due to its vasoconstrictive properties, which can help to promote a more even-toned appearance around the eyes.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis helps with eye bags by reducing inflammation and promoting circulation due to its anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive properties, which can help to alleviate puffiness and promote a more even-toned appearance around the eyes.
• Rosa rubiginosa: Rosa rubiginosa helps with eye bags by soothing and hydrating the skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help to alleviate puffiness and discoloration around the eyes.
• Rosmarinus officinalis: Rosmarinus officinalis helps with eye bags by improving circulation and reducing inflammation due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to decrease puffiness and promote a more even-toned appearance around the eyes.

What are the main herbal preparations used for eye bags?

The main herbal preparations used for eye bags are Decoction, Tincture, Cream, Gel, Capsule, Salve, Poultice, Ointment, Suppository, Powder.

Decoction is made from herbs like Eyebright, which reduces puffiness and dark circles due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Tincture of Butcher's Broom reduces fluid retention and swelling due to its vasoconstrictive properties. Cream and Gel formulations like those containing Cucumber, Aloe Vera and Chamomile soothe and moisturize the skin, reducing the appearance of eye bags.

Other preparations like Capsule (with Eyebright and Ginkgo Biloba), Salve (with Cucumber and Aloe Vera), Poultice (with Cucumber and Mint), Ointment (with Cucumber and Aloe Vera), Suppository (with Aloe Vera and Cucumber) and Powder (with Cucumber and Eyebright) are also used to alleviate eye bags and dark circles.

• Decoction: A decoction of the herb Cichorium intybus (chicory) helps with eye bags by reducing puffiness and dark circles due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which constrict blood vessels and decrease fluid accumulation.
• Tincture: A tincture of the herb Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) helps with eye bags by reducing puffiness and dark circles due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which constrict blood vessels and decrease fluid accumulation.
• Cream: A cream containing the herb Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) helps with eye bags by reducing puffiness and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties, which soothe and calm the skin.
• Gel: A gel containing the herb Echinacea purpurea (echinacea) helps with eye bags by reducing puffiness and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which constrict blood vessels and decrease fluid accumulation.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the herb Ginkgo biloba helps with eye bags by reducing puffiness and dark circles due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which constrict blood vessels and decrease fluid accumulation.
• Salve: A salve containing the herb Calendula officinalis (calendula) helps with eye bags by reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which soothe and calm the skin.
• Poultice: A poultice made from the herb Plantago major (plantain) helps with eye bags by reducing puffiness and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory and cooling properties, which constrict blood vessels and decrease fluid accumulation.
• Ointment: An ointment containing the herb Arnica montana (arnica) helps with eye bags by reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which soothe and calm the skin.
• Suppository: A suppository containing the herb Camellia sinensis (green tea) helps with eye bags by reducing puffiness and dark circles due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which constrict blood vessels and decrease fluid accumulation.
• Powder: A powder made from the herb Vitis vinifera (grape seed) helps with eye bags by reducing puffiness and dark circles due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which constrict blood vessels and decrease fluid accumulation.