Pink eye is one ailment that I think of that we have to deal with at least once in life. Either with your children or yourself, conjunctivitis is a very common condition.
As any ailment that comes up, first and foremost I like to reach for natural remedies as the first defense.
In this article I wanted to touch on the best herbs you might even have on hand as well as homeopathic remedies I learned about from my own mentor to help you navigate pink eye in your family or your community effectively.
What is it?
According to Mayoclinic pink eye is “Pink eye is an inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and eyeball. This membrane is called the conjunctiva. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become swollen and irritated, they’re more visible. This is what causes the whites of the eyes to appear reddish or pink. Pink eye also is called conjunctivitis.” (1)
Many think that pink eye is a bacterial infection and it certainly can be but in most cases it is a viral infection, meaning that the antibiotics that are given to you will not work.
A study published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology states that the most common is a viral infection but it can also be allergy related. (2)
Viral infections have to run its course, most doctors give the antibiotic just in case it is a bacterial infection though but in either case getting your symptoms under control and making sure it does not spread is the main thing to do.
This is where basic common sense and herbal allies come in.
If you have any signs of pink eye which may include:
- redness or itchiness
- sensitivity to light
- discharge in one or both eyes that crusts over
- tearing
Then it is best to take proper precautions to not spread it further making sure to:
- wash hands frequently
- do not wear contact lenses
- do not use the same towel for any compresses
- wash linens, towels, pillow cases after using them and do not share them with others
Medical Approaches
If you take your child or yourself to the doctor for an eye infection a lot of the times they will prescribe eye drops which are antibiotics. But if you are dealing with viral pink eye then those drops won’t help much. A lot of times you will be told to rinse the eyes out or apply a cold or warm compress as well.
If you have allergic conjunctivitis then antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers is what is used to treat them. Many do not like this method as the antihistamine medications come with side effects that are hard to handle such as drowsiness and dizziness.
Mast cell stabilizing drugs are generally used as eye drops to slow down the release of allergic mediators from mast cells. These drugs can be costly and also require many doses. If conjunctivitis is allergic for you, then many things can be done in terms of an anti-inflammatory diet and ways to get allergies under control to help regulate pink eye outbreaks.
Best Herbs for Pink Eye
When looking at herbs to combat pink eye you want to look for herbs which have antimicrobial, anti inflammatory and demulcent. These will help soothe the itch and the redness as well as slow the crustiness.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is one of those power plants that everyone should have around with its antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is fairly easy to find pure aloe vera gel or organic gel that does not have chemicals in it. If you have any signs of pink eye, using aloe vera around the eye and eyelid can do the trick. Some products I have see have aloe vera in a eye drop format with a homeopathic remedy in it as well which can be helpful if you live near a health food store and can get some with first signs of pink eye.
Tulsi (holy basil)
I a trying to grow this plant this year in my garden for its amazing properties because it is known for its healing power. It has anti inflammatory and soothing properties which can fight viral, bacterial and fungal infections in the eye. You would need a fresh plant around to use for this method, luckily tulsi is fairly easy to grow with many benefits.
To use as an eye wash, you would need to take the fresh tulsi leaves and boil them for about 10 min. Then you would wait for the water to cool down enough to use as an eye wash or you can dip a cotton in it to use as a compress.
Turmeric
This is very easy to find as it is in your local spice section. I love turmeric and use it for its anti inflammatory properties often. It is also antibacterial and can help relieve the symptoms of pink eye when used topically.
To use this powder you would need about 2 tablespoons per 1 cup of water and bring the mix to a boil. Then allow to cool and use a washcloth for a compress.
Plantain
The good thing about plantain is that it is considered a weed, therefore it is easily found probably near your home somewhere. It is very helpful to use for pink eye as it is cooling and softening to the red tissues of pink eye.
Making a poultice is a great way to use this herb along with honey. You would have to have a cheesecloth and mash the herb and then sprinkle a little bit of honey into it to use for its antimicrobial properties.
Chamomile
Another easy to grow plant that is very versatile but just in case you are not growing it yourself, you can find it as a tea in most grocery stores. Chamomile flowers have very soothing qualities and may help calm the itch and irritation that pink eye causes. It also has antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties which may bring relief to the eye.
I like to use this herb along with plantain in an eye wash when I need to but its important to know if you are allergic to this herb before using it so proceed with caution if you have sensitivities to the Asteraceae family.
Homeopathic remedies
Whether you have bacterial, allergic or viral pink eye the same protocol can be used. These are the protocols that were passed down from the Banerji protocols and from my own mentor in homeopathy Joette Calabrese.
Along with the other herbs you are choosing for eye wash and things to preventing spread, homeopathic remedies are a great addition for your natural remedy kit.
The remedies to have on hand are Argentum Nitricum 200c and Mercurius Solubilis 6c. You can take one or two pellets of each twice a day. In more severe cases a dose can be given every 3 hours with the same combination.
Belladonna 3c dose should also be taken twice a day aside from the other remedies.
Final thoughts
Conjunctivitis is very common in childhood illnesses and it can be either bacterial, viral or allergic.
If you need support visit the online wellness clinic to get individual recommendations.
If there are signs of pink eye it can spread very easily so important measure should be taken to help prevent the spread such as hand washing and not using the same washcloth when washing the eye.
Many herbs can be used to ease discomfort. Many or the herbs are also easy to find in grocery stores or your own backyard such as plantain, turmeric or chamomile.
Homeopathic remedies are also a great addition to the natural remedies you can be using. Most of the remedies mentioned will have to be bought online from a reputable homeopathic store or online company such as Boiron.
Even though pink eye can be uncomfortable I hope you find some easy herbs that can decrease discomfort and shorten the time you or your loved ones experience pink eye.
Much love,
Krystina
