Conjunctivitis Home Remedy

Commonly known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is an eye infection, wherein, the conjunctiva, a membrane covering the eye balls and the lining of the inner surface of eyelids gets inflamed. It is a highly contagious disease accompanied with pink eye symptoms like red, watery eyes, dryness, burning, blurred vision, itchiness in eyes, and a sticky discharge. Conjunctivitis or pink eye can be a result of various factors like certain viral infections, common cold, acute respiratory infection or ailments like measles, herpes simplex or herpes zoster. It can also take place due to a bacterial infestation by bacteria like Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Haemophilus.

Apart from these, even environmental factors like wind, smoke, dust and allergic reactions to pollen, dust or grass can lead to conjunctivitis. Though rarely, excessive exposure to sun lamps or electrical arcs used during welding or obstructed drainage of the tear ducts can also result in this eye disorder. However, the good part is that conjunctivitis possesses no danger to the eyes and can be treated easily.

Home Remedies for Conjunctivitis

Although there are various over-the-counter drops and ointments available for conjunctivitis that are quite effective in treating this disorder, the best and safest way to cure conjunctivitis, is conjunctivitis home remedies, which are equally effective and possess no side effects.

Vegetable Juices: Applying raw juices of vegetables like carrot, spinach, parsley, etc., is a simple conjunctivitis home remedy that has proved to be very effective. A 200 ml of spinach/parsley juice mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice is quite beneficial in getting rid of this infection.

Gooseberry: A cup of Indian gooseberry juice mixed with 2 tbsp of honey, applied twice or thrice a day for a week or so is another home remedy for conjunctivitis.

Coriander: Washing inflamed eyes several times a day with a solution prepared with 60 ml of water and a handful of dried coriander, will help treating burning sensation and eye irritation due to conjunctivitis.

Rose Water:: Likewise, even rose water is very effective in subduing symptoms related with eye conjunctivitis. Hence, washing eyes several times a day with a solution prepared with rose water, will help relieve the pain and eye redness.

Aloe Vera: The next effective and simple remedy is to apply a solution of Aloe vera and water over the eyes, using a cloth soaked with the solution. This will help reduce the redness, irritation and eye soreness.

Chamomile Tea: Keep moist chamomile tea bag over each closed eye for minimum 10 - 12 minutes several times a day to reduce redness of the eyes.

Calendula: In case of a bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, use calendula herb whose antiseptic properties are not only effective in reducing itching and inflammation, but also provide healing and soothing effect to the eyes.

Eyebright: Also known as Euphrasia officinalis, eyebright herb is a herbaceous flowering plant which is quite beneficial in curing pink eye or conjunctivitis. All you have to do is to add a few drops of eyebright tincture to boiled and cooled water, and then apply the solution to the inflamed eye using a cotton ball.

Honey: One of the most effective home remedies for conjunctivitis is honey, whose antibacterial properties will not only cure the infection but also provide a soothing effect. It can be either used by putting 2 or 3 drops directly into the eyes or by adding 3 tbsp of honey to 2 cups of boiling water and after cooling, washing the eyes with this solution.

Potato: Putting a slice of grated raw potato over the inflamed eye for about 15 - 20 minutes is one of the most effective natural remedy for conjunctivitis.

Avoiding starchy foods like white bread, potatoes, puddings, pies, sugar, jams, cakes, etc. and increasing intakes of foods rich in vitamin A and vitamin B2 like whole milk, butter, yogurt, carrot, pumpkin, tomato, mango, almonds, papaya, etc., is another conjunctivitis home remedy which help in curing the infection fast. Besides these conjunctivitis home remedies, applying breast milk, washing eyes with salty water, wearing goggles while swimming or meeting other people, using fresh towels and washcloths, maintaining proper hygiene, etc. are some other effective ways for not only curing but also preventing the risks of conjunctivitis.