Natural Remedy for Pink Eye
Find an effective natural remedy for pink eye...
Conjunctivitis can leave you with sore and irritated eyes. Eye creams can sometimes leave sensitive eyes stinging even more - find natural health alternatives that can soothe and cure...
Pink Eye is known more formally as ‘conjunctivitis’. It is simply an inflammation of the membrane of the eyelid or eye. Symptoms of pink eye are: - irritation
- itching
- ’grittiness’
- pink or red in the white of the eye
- eyes watering
- stickiness and crustiness, especially after sleeping
- Although most cases of pink eye clear up on their own, within a few days, sometimes pink eye is very infectious.
- Infectious pink eye can quickly spread, from one eye to the other, then onto family and friends…
- Avoid touching your eyes, and always wash your hands well!
- Don’t share towels and flannels.
- Pink eye does not normally cause pain. If your eye is painful, or very swollen, or if the infection does not clear up within a few days, consult your healthcare provider.
- Using a natural remedy for pink eye can help considerably, in soothing the irritation, and clearing up the infection.
Always remember to consult your healthcare provider before taking any decisions regarding your health.
Causes of Pink Eye
- Pink eye is most often caused by a virus (such as a cold).
- It can also be caused by:
- bacterial infections
- allergies
- irritants – such as smoke, or chemical sprays
- some eye drops and eye products
- In babies pink eye is often caused by blocked tear ducts. But it can sometimes be caused by infections sustained during birth.
- Make sure that you always consult a doctor promptly if you are concerned that your baby has pink eye.
- Blocked tear ducts can sometimes be unblocked by gently massaging the bottom lid, between the eye and the nose.
Conventional Treatments for Pink Eye
- Conventional treatments for pink eye are usually very effective, and largely safe!
- They can, however, sometimes cause stinging, pain and irritation on their own account – particularly for people who already have sensitive eyes.
- A natural remedy for pink eye can help to soothe your eye, and cure any infections.
- With the help of natural health remedies for pink eye, your eye infection should clear up quickly within a few days.
- Always consult your doctor if your eye infection continues beyond a few days, or if you feel pain in your eye.
Choose a Natural Remedy for Pink Eye
- Probably the best way to apply a natural remedy for pink eye, is with an eye wash. Various herbs can be used in an eye wash (see below).
Herbal Eyewashes
- Follow these instructions for making a basic eye wash, and then add your choice of herbs, for your ideal natural remedy for pink eye…
- Sterilise an eye-cup (available from most chemists), or other small container, by boiling in water for at least 10 minutes
- Then boil a separate cupful of water, for 10 minutes
- Add your choice of herbal natural remedy for pink eye, cover and allow to steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain twice (through filter papers, or muslin cloth) and allow to cool.
- There are 2 ways to use the cooled liquid….
- You can pour the liquid into an eye cup, or other container. Carefully lower your eye into the eye cup, blink thoroughly and leave in the liquid for 1 minute.
- You can also use the liquid to soak a clean, lint free cloth, or cottonwool balls. Then apply gently to the closed eye, for about 10 minutes.
- Use a freshly sterilised eye cup, or new cloth, before bathing the other eye, so as not to spread any infection.
- Try any of the following herbs as an effective natural remedy for pink eye….
Goldenseal
Eyebright
Calendula
Camomile and Elderflower
Rose Petals
Yarrow
Mullein
Salt
Other Natural Remedies for Pink Eye Tea
Potato or Cucumber
Honey Eye Bath
Homeopathy
Goldenseal - This is a really good herb to use, if your pink eye has been caused by the very common strep (streptococcus) or staph (staphylococcus) bacteria.
- Use 1 teaspoon of powdered goldenseal root, in half a pint of water.
- Allow to steep for 15 minutes
- You should use this lukewarm, as a natural remedy for pink eye, up to 3 times a day.
- It mixes very well with Eyebright (see below).
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Eyebright - As you might guess from the name, eyebright is the essential herb for any type of eye irritation or infection.
- It helps to fight bacteria, reduces swelling, and is very soothing to the eye.
- Use on its own, or as an eye wash, together with Goldenseal:
- Use 2 teaspoons of fresh eyebright plant, and half a teaspoon of powdered goldenseal root, in a half pint of water
- Bring to the boil, and simmer for 10 minutes
- Strain and cool
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Calendula - Calendula is a great natural remedy for pink eye, as it helps promote healing.
- It also fights bacteria and viruses, so will help to clear infections very quickly.
- Use 1 tablespoon of dried calendula, to a cupful of hot water. Steep for 15 minutes.
- You should try to use the eye wash solution slightly warm (take care, though – not too hot!), and apply gently to closed eyes until the wash cools.
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Camomile and Elderflower - This is a lovely soothing combination – really ideal for sore, irritated eyes.
- Use 1 teaspoon of fresh camomile flowers and 1 teaspoon of fresh elder flowers, in a cupful of hot water.
- Allow to simmer for 10 minutes before straining.
- Wait until it is lukewarm, before bathing eyes
- You can also use camomile tea bags which have been soaked in warm water. Apply to the eyelids for at least 10 minutes.
- Or, use the tea bags to make a camomile tea, which you can use as an eye wash.
- Caution: Do not use if you are allergic to other members of the daisy family
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Rose Petals
- Rose petals are a lovely, gentle natural remedy for pink eye. They really help to soothe sore and inflamed eyes.
- It will be fine to use clean, healthy rose petals from your garden…
- Crush the rose petals gently in your hand
- Then put 2-3 petals into a cupful of boiling water
- Allow to soak for at least 10 minutes
- Soak cottonwool balls, or a clean cloth in the liquid, and lay on the eyes.
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Yarrow - This is really soothing, for irritated and infected eyes.
- It fights bacterial infections and calms swelling and inflammation.
- Caution: Do not use if you are allergic to other members of the daisy family
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Mullein - This is another great herb to use as a healing and soothing natural remedy for pink eye.
- It helps to fight viral infections.
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Salt - A really simple natural remedy for pink eye can be obtained by using plain table salt!
- Use half a teaspoon of salt, in a cupful of water
- Boil in a pan while stirring
- Allow to cool before using
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Other Natural Remedies for Pink Eye
Tea- Just ordinary black or green tea is an excellent and surprisingly effective natural remedy for pink eye.
- It is very good against viral and bacterial infection, and helps to reduce inflammation.
- Just use an ordinary tea bag. Wet it with warm water, and lay on closed eyes, for several minutes.
- Warm water is best – but if your eyes are red and swollen, use cold water instead.
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Potato or Cucumber - Slice raw potato or cucumber, and lay slices over the eyes.
- This is quite a cooling and soothing natural remedy for pink eye – and is certainly very easy to find in the kitchen!
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Honey Eye Bath - Honey is naturally sterile and has natural antiseptic qualities.
- Use:
- 1 and a half teaspoon s of honey in a cupful of boiling water
- Allow to cool and use to bathe the eyes
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Homeopathy - There is quite a selection of homeopathic natural remedies for pink eye.
- It is a good idea to consult a qualified homeopathic practitioner, who can select the best natural health remedies for your own particular, personal case.
- Some commonly used homeopathic remedies for pink eye are:
- Euphrasia officinalis: for watery and sore eyes
- Ferrum phosphoricum: general help for sore eyes
- Aconitum napellus: for red, hot, gritty eyes, which water
- Apis mellifica: for stinging eyes, itching and blisters
- Mercurius corrosivus: for sticky, pus and discharge
- Pulsitalla nigricans: for yellow, crusty discharge, and itching
- Arsenicum album: for hot and water eyes
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So, as you can see, there are plenty of options for an effective natural remedy for pink eye. Some remedies you can even find easily in your own kitchen. These natural health remedies are gentle and soothing on your poor, irritated eyes …. And you don’t need to worry about using the chemicals in conventional treatments, on your already sensitive eyes… I hope that your pink eye will clear up very soon. What works for you? Do you have any tips and experiences in treating your pink eye conjunctivitis symptoms, to share? Tell us about your experiences... Return to the main page for holistic remedies for common ailments.
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