Strain on delicate eye muscles as well as improper blood flow to the retina can cause vision to deteriorate. There are certain herbs that can treat blurred vision, improve night vision, slow the progression of glaucoma and cataracts and help keep the eyes healthy.
The goal of herbal therapy is to help maintain optic nerve health. Some chemicals like (protein kinase C inhibitors) and TKI (tyrosine kinase inhibitors) are said to relax and not tighten ciliary muscles. Such PKC apigenin-rich herbs like parsley, chrysanthemum and chamomile flowers are said to provide glaucoma benefits by competing with chemicals that over-stimulate PKC activity. Similar benefits are also found in curcumin that is said to reduce PKC activity. |
- Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus): contains potent antioxidant flavonoids called anthocyanins. Its American botanical cousin of blueberry and cranberry. These antioxidant compounds help prevent free-radical damage and capillary fragility. They also help the eyes adapt to darkness.
- Green Tea: Green tea contains vitamins C and E, lutein and zeaxanthin. Catechins, vitamin C and E, lutein, and zeaxanthin, are known to help protect the delicate tissues of the eye from glaucoma and other eye diseases. Green tea consumption could benefit the eye against oxidative stress.
- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba): A well-researched herb that may improve retinal deterioration and a host of other ailments such as memory loss, tinnitus and poor circulation. It is a leading herb for treating retinal deterioration. It’s a free-radical scavenger and acts as a preventive by increasing the flow of blood and nutrients to the retina.
- Passionflower: If you have problems with your eyes when you look at something that is really close to you, or when you are reading something that is in dim light which strains your eyes can be help a lot by taking passionflower. It relax the blood vessels in your eyes helping you to see better.
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis): It is commonly used as an alternative treatment for eye-related ailments, including severe inflammation of the eye. According to herbalist David Hoffmann, author of the book “The New Holistic Herbal“, eyebright contains tannins, flavonoids, and iridoid gylocsides, which fight inflammation and impede the passage of toxins. For ophthalmia, blepharitis, stye and any other eye inflammation, an Eyebright tea might be beneficial when used as a cold eye compress. To make Eyebright tea, take 1 teaspoon of carefully washed Eyebright herb and boil it in 1 1/2 cup of water for 10 minutes. Drain the leaves with a very fine strainer or cotton cloth and let it cool. Dip a small cotton pad in it and use it as a compress three to four times daily. For cataracts, weeping eye, pink eye (conjunctivitis), blood shot and strained eyes, an Eyebright tincture may help when used as an eyewash. To make an Eyebright eyewash, mix 5-8 drops of tincture in 2 cups of cool filtered water or boil 1 teaspoon of eyebright in 1 1/2 cup of water. Dilute the strained tea in a cup of cool rose water. Washing the affected eyes with this eyewash every 4 hours may alleviate the symptoms. Herbal experts recommend this topical use for short term only. Due to possible impurities in homemade non-pharmaceutical Eyebright tea preparations, it is recommended to be supervised by an herbal expert during the external application of Eyebright for eye treatment. Drinking Eyebright tea and taking Eyebright capsules or tablets may speed up the healing process.- Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis): Some people use goldenseal as an eyewash for eye inflammation and eye infections called conjunctivitis or “pink eye.” Premade herbal eyewashes are available in many health food stores. Many of them contain diluted solutions of goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis), which in undiluted forms can be extremely irritating to the eye. Follow manufacturer’s directions carefully.
- Turmeric/Curcumin : Turmeric is vital for eye health, for the curcumin compound in it can inhibit COX-2 enzyme production from building up in the eye’s aqueous layer. Glaucoma is caused due to faulty antioxidant defense systems. Foods rich in antioxidants use an osmotic effect to lower intraocular pressure. Curcumin is rich in antioxidants that can fight free radicals caused by oxidative stress. This is said to benefit those with eye disorders like glaucoma and macular degeneration. Curcumin is a natural compound that offers cerebroprotective and cardioprotective benefits. It alsoTurmeric Benefits for Glaucoma protects optic nerves from damage. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) suffer from deficiency i
n fatty acids, folic acid and other antioxidants. The benefits of turmeric as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent for this and other conditions are being investigated. 400-600mg, 3 times a day is the recommended dosage of standard curcumin powder which is used in supplements. For fluid extracts it is
30-90 drops per day and dried, powdered root is 1-3g daily. Doctors must be consulted for the right turmeric dosage for eye pressure. - Saffron is better known as the kitchen spice that gives curry its yellow color; however, it can have wonderful results for eye problems, including cataracts. In a recent trial, every participant who took saffron had vision improvements and the researchers said the aromatic herb “may hold the key to preventing the loss of sight in the elderly”.
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider trained in botanical medicine. Compresses and eye washes are external treatments.
Turmeric eye drops are the ultimate sty cure.
How to make some turmeric eye drops?
Ingredients
- 1 tsp turmeric, powdered
- 2 cups water
- very fine muslin cloth or a coffee filter
Instructions
- Take 1 tsp of turmeric and mix it with 2 cups of water.
- Boil the mixture and keep boiling it until it reduces to half.
- Now just wait that the mixture cools down and then pass it several times through muslin cloth or a coffee filter. Continue until all the turmeric granules are removed.
- Use these turmeric eye drops 2-3 times a day and your sty should disappear extremely quickly!
After you are finished making the eye drops you can try them. Just add couple of drops into your eye and blink a couple of times so the drops will spread and you are ready. That’s all! You should do this 2 or 3 times a day until the sty is completely gone. These drops work really fast so your sty should be gone within the day.
References
Related Links
- Ten Steps to Visual Longevity
- Preventing cataracts : It’s a Food Fight
- The beauty benefits of Green Tea
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
