- Make It Yourself Lavender Heart-Shaped Bath Bombs!
- 20 Things You Never Knew About “Down There”
- 12 Best Foods For Those Suffering From Arthritis Pain
- 12 Personal Hygiene Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes (Mom Never Told You About #4!)
- 15 Medicinal Plants And Herbs From The Cherokee People
- 12 Mind-Blowing Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy
- 12 Outstanding Winter Foods That Won’t Fatten You Up Like A Christmas Turkey
Got Pink Eye? We Have 7 Natural Solutions To Cure It!
Photo credit: bigstock.com
You might think that pink eye is something that only happens to young, school-aged children, but the truth is that pink eye can happen to anyone at any age.
Pink eye is not only embarrassing, but it is also highly contagious, so it can really interfere with your life.
Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, can have several causes. The four main causes of pink eye are:
1. A viral or bacterial infection
2. Exposure to certain chemicals
3. Excessive exposure to the sun and wind
4. Allergic reaction
Pink eye caused by bacterial or viral infections are contagious and cause the most problems. They are also the most common. When caused by bacteria, it often affects both eyes. Many people with bacterial pink eye find yellow or greenish pus draining from the eyes. The viral form of pink eye often causes a watery type of discharge and often affects only one eye.
Pink eye caused by exposure to certain chemicals or caused by allergies is not contagious.
We have listed seven of the best natural remedies for pink eye that will help relieve the symptoms such as burning, itching, sensitivity to light, crusty eyes, and swollen, red eyelids.
Continue to Page 2
Photo credit: bigstock.com
1. Colloidal Silver
Before antibiotics like erythromycin, colloidal silver was commonly used to stop infections such as pink eye. Many people swear that adding a drop or two of colloidal silver in their eyes twice each day removed their pink eye problem in 24 hours.
There are no scientific studies to back up these claims, but it is known that viruses and bacteria cannot live in the presence of silver, so this method makes sense.
Keep colloidal silver on hand to stop bacterial and viral infections of the eye and other parts of the body.
Continue to Page 3
Photo credit: bigstock.com
2. Eyebright
As the name implies, this herb is one of the best for many eye conditions, including pink eye. Eyebright has soothing compounds as well as anti-viral and antibacterial compounds that can not only treat the symptoms, but also stop the infection. You can make an eyewash from the tincture by boiling water and then adding a few drops of the tincture to the water. Soak a clean washcloth in the warm liquid and hold the wash rag over the closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat two or three times each day. You can also purchase eyebright eye drops. In the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, a study found that just a single dose of eyebright drops was enough to stop the bacterial and viral infection in the eye that caused conjunctivitis.
Continue to Page 4
Photo credit: bigstock.com
3. Black Tea
The Journal of Traditional Medicines published a study which found that consuming oolong tea helped to reduce the symptoms of allergic pink eye and reduced many of the symptoms, such as sneezing, sinus congestion, and nasal discharge. First, drink two or three cups of black or oolong tea each day to help treat the infection from the inside.
You can also take the tea bags (after they have completely cooled, of course) and place them on your closed eyes for 10 minutes three times each day to help treat the infection. You can also make an eyewash from weakened black tea (use two cups of water to one tea bag) and use this method twice each day.
Continue to Page 5
Photo credit: bigstock.com
4. Milk And Honey
Milk and honey is great for the skin but it can also go a long way towards stopping pink eye! Warm one tablespoon of whole milk (raw milk is best, but if all you have is regular, whole milk, that will work), then mix in one tablespoon of raw, organic honey. Don’t place this in your eye until the mixture has cooled! It should be nothing more than lukewarm. Put two or three drops of this mixture in each eye. This might sting for a minute, but this just means it is working. Refrigerate the remaining solution and reheat it before every use. Always sterilize the dropper. Use three or four times each day and before bedtime for best results.Many people state that their pinkeye is gone within 48 hours using this method.
Continue to Page 6
Photo credit: bigstock.com
5. Calendula
Sometimes called marigold, this flower is a traditional method for curing pink eye that can have amazing results. Calendula has powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce many of the annoying and painful symptoms of pink eye. Calendula also contains natural antibacterial compounds that fight the infection that causes pink eye.
The Longwood Herbal Taskforce published a review of studies which found that calendula appeared to be a safe and effective method for treating pink eye. The best way to use calendula for pink eye is to make a tea from the dried flowers or to make calendula tea from premade tea bags. You can use the tea as an eyewash and/or soak a clean washrag in the tea and place it over your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, three times each day. For extra fighting power, drink two or three cups of calendula tea each day.
Continue to Page 7
Photo credit: bigstock.com
6. Turmeric
For anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging power, turmeric cannot be beat. This spice can reduce the pain and swelling that comes with pink eye, and can also help to stop allergic pink eye. Add two teaspoons of turmeric powder to one cup of boiling water. Cool until it is lukewarm, then soak a clean washrag and place this over your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes, two or three times each day.
SEE ALSO: Best Foods and Vitamins For Healthy Eyes And Preventing Cataracts
Always use a new, sterile compress for each application to avoid the spread of infection. You can also add one tablespoon of turmeric powder to a glass of milk and drink twice each day to help stop pine eye and inflammation from the inside out.
Continue to Page 8
Photo credit: bigstock.com
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains both antibacterial and antiviral compounds that can help to treat the symptoms of pink eye, as well as stopping the infection that causes it. The International Journal of Biological and Medical Research published a study which found that aloe vera was very effective in fighting pink eye and was reported as accelerating the healing process. If you have an aloe vera plant, simply slice off a leaf and peel the leaves. Dice up the leaf and place it in a cup of very hot water. Allow it to cool until the liquid turns a nice green color. Strain and then use the liquid as an eyewash two or three times each day.
If you don’t have an aloe vera plant, you can buy pure aloe vera gel and mix equal parts of the gel and water to make your own eyewash.
Continue to Page 9
Photo credit: bigstock.com
Extra Tips:
- If you use tissues or wipes to clean the eyes, put them in a bag before you place them in the trash to avoid spreading the infection to others
- Always wipe from the inside of your eye (the part next to your nose) then to the outside to prevent the drainage from being dragged back across the eye
- Always use clean cloths or tissues each time you touch your eyes to prevent spreading the infection or to prevent reinfection of the eye
- Try to avoid touching your eyes
- Do not share pillowcases, washcloths, or towels with other family members
- Change and wash items in hot water after using, such as towels or pillowcases
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after treating your eyes or after touching them
- Encourage others to wash their hands before and after coming into contact with infected persons
Keep in mind that bacterial and viral pink eye are extremely contagious so avoid going out in public, unless you must. If your symptoms do not clear up within seven days, see a doctor.
References:
