While it's tempting to turn to botanical remedies for seemingly minor complaints like dry, irritated eyes, think before you act. Some herbs may sting or even damage your eyes. Additionally, your symptoms may point to a chronic situation that requires medical attention. Always talk with your eye doctor before attempting herbal self-treatment.
Causes
Several causes for dry, irritated eyes exist. The problem may be a one-time or periodic response to environmental allergens, wind, dry air or computer eyestrain. It can also result from chronic conditions such as dry eye syndrome or blepharitis.
Professional Treatment
See your eye doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms. For chronic situations, as with conditions like keratitis sicca, your doctor may prescribe prescription eye drops which simulate tears. She may also suggest plugs to prevent tears from evaporating, or eyelid inserts that provide lubrication.
Considerations
Temporary eye strain or allergic reactions may be greatly soothed by herbal treatments. Even chronic conditions, when combined with professional care, may respond favorably to supplementary botanical or home remedies. MayoClinic.com notes that eyewashes and warm compresses help provide moisture and soothe irritation in cases like blepharitis, which blocks oil production through inflammation. But always check with your doctor before alternating herbal eyewashes or drops with prescription treatments.
Eyewashes
Put herbal formulas in clean eyedroppers, or gently splash your eyes with the formula. Rosewater, available at drug stores and health food stores, is a gentle anti-inflammatory. Herbal eye tinctures are also available, and may contain botanicals such as fennel, rue, eyebright and mullien. Herbalist Dina Falconi's homemade remedy is a simple infusion of one part each dried calendula, lavender, eyebright and chickweed, and a half-part goldenseal leaf. Steep the herbs for three hours, strain and gently rinse your eyes with the infused, cooled liquid.
Compresses and Pillows
Herbal compresses and eye pillows may also soothe irritated eyes, notes Falconi. For dry, inflamed eyes Falconi suggests a simple compress of cucumber slices. Get into a reclining position and place one or more cucumber slices, each about 1/8-inch thick, over your closed eyes. Rest at least 20 minutes. To soothe inflamed eyes, Falconi suggests mashing rose or calendula petals in a small amount of water and applying the mashed petals directly onto your closed eyes. Alternatively, use brewed chamomile or mint tea bags. Mint has a cooling, soothing effect for dry and irritated eyes, while chamomile is an all-purpose soother of irritated skin, Falconi notes. Herbal eye pillows may also soothe you when resting or sleeping. Look for herbal eye masks in specialty shops, or create them at home by combining 1 cup dried lavender, peppermint, lemon balm and chamomile with with a cup of flaxseed. Tuck the mixture into two small bags or one clean sock and use as a mask or individual eye pillows. If you're handy with sewing, stuff the mixture into a silk or linen eye mask. Rest or sleep with the herbal pillows over your closed eyes.
Nutritional Support
Bilberries, which are anti-inflammatory, are a traditional supplement for overall eye health and are available in capsule and tea form. Flax seed or fish oil supplements may help inhibit or ease symptoms of dry eye syndrome, according to MayoClinic.com. The medical web site stresses that research is ongoing, but studies suggest the anti-inflammatory action of omega-3 fatty acids may help eyes receive the lubrication they need. Other dietary sources include fish, walnuts, canola oil, ground flaxseeds and soybean oil. While omeaga-3s and bilberries are considered healthy additions to most diets, check with your doctor to make sure it supports her plan for your eye health.
References
- All About Vision: Dry Syndrome
- All About Vision: Eye Allergies
- FamilyDoctor.org: Eye Problems
- MayoClinic.com: Dry Eyes: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- "Earthly Bodies and Heavenly Hair"; Dina Falconi; 1998
- MayoClinic.com: Dry Eyes: Alternative Medicine
