What Herbs and Natural Remedies are Good for the Eyes?
There are a number of remedies that have been used for centuries to help treat a wide-range of eye conditions and improve vision. While it may seem counter-intuitive to place drops of herbal tinctures or solutions into the eyes, these alternatives to compounds produced by pharmaceutical companies may actually turn out to be a better, safer and healthier option. Here are a few common remedies that can come in handy the next time you or someone you know has an ailment of the eye or poor vision associated with low blood circulation.
Eyebright
Eyebright is the name of a medicinal plant that is well-known for treating eye problems that include conjunctivitis as well as swollen eyelids. It can also be used as a wash to remove particles or other foreign bodies that get lodged into the eye. You can find it in oil form, make a tincture or infusion, or you can eat the plant and still obtain some of the benefits.
Eyebright can also be used to help soothe the symptoms of other ailments as well. These include easing respiratory infections, congestion and persistent coughing as well as a topical skin cleanser that can help with anything from controlling acne to speeding up the healing of minor cuts and scrapes.
Raspberry Leaves
Believe it or not, the leaves of raspberries are considered to be the most nutritious part of the plant, and they are loaded with nutrients that are perfect for promoting eye health. High concentrations of essential vitamins and minerals can be extracted into a tea, tincture or oil, and you can also eat the leaves whole, or chew them and place them over the irritated eyes. Some believe there is a connection between eating raspberry leaves and the regeneration of eye tissue which may lead to overall improvements in eye health and vision.
Goldenseal
Using a goldenseal preparation that can be rubbed over the eyes or mixed into a tincture is a powerful way to beat back irritation and inflammation associated with infections. It can also be used topically as a way to speed up the healing process of black or bruised eyes as well.
Putting Everything Together
You can combine all of the ingredients together, place them in a tea bag and let the combination steep for about 15 minutes. Remove the bag, let the water cool to room temperature and either apply directly over the eye or place a couple of drops into the eye. What makes this remedy so easy is that you don’t have to worry about proportions, because you can use the same amount of each ingredient.
Finally, consider adding a tablespoon of cayenne pepper to the mix. While this may sound painful, and it does burn a little bit at first, cayenne pepper is one of the most powerful natural antiseptics out there, and it is also known for improving blood flow and promoting tissue health.
You can also use this remedy as a tea as well as a wash by following the same steps above and drinking the tonic. Learn more about the medicinal properties of these herbs and how they can be helpful when dealing with eye problems. Remember that they can be useful for other ailments as well, so they’re worth stocking up on and keeping in your survival medicine cabinet.
