Eye Care Page

English beekeepers dissolve honey in warm water and

drip into the eyes. Then they soak a linen compress in

the solution and hold it over each eye for 10 to 15

minutes.

To relieve bloodshot eyes, the Chinese eat 1 or 2

fresh tomatoes first thing in the morning on an empty

stomach. The vitamin C and flavonoids in the tomatoes

make the blood vessel walls strong.

The Chinese have made eyedrops from the ma huang plant

for centuries. Theirs is the first eyedrop solution in

recorded history. Ma huang relieves all kinds of

ailments, especially allergies and irritation of

mucous membranes. This plant is the source of the drug

ephedrine hydrochloride, which is used today to treat

eye irritations. Warning: Ephedrine hydrochloride

elevates blood pressure and should not be taken by

anyone with high blood pressure or glaucoma, or by

anyone taking antidepressants.

Eyebright, a small plant that grows well in norhern

Europe and Scotland, is said to be a powerful remedy

for all sorts of eye troubles and other ailments. It

has been used for irritation, soreness, and itchiness

of the eyes due to eyestrain. Eyebright can be used as

a compress or an eye wash, or you can drink it as an

infusion. Eyebright herb is available in cut or

powdered form through most mail order herb companies.

The Irish use a cabbage remedy for eye irritation.

They made a poultice from steaming fresh cabbage. Boil

leaves until limp, then remove from water and drain

before they cook all the way through. Once cooled, it

was applied to closed eyes.

Lashes keep dust and dirt from getting in your eyes. But

they are more often regarded as things of beauty. Long,

thick lashes are universally admired. The people of

India often have naturally long, doe like lashes that

are the envy of mascara wearers worldwide. One of their

secrets is caster oil. Indians use it to soothe

irritated eyes. At some point, they noticed that, while

they were using the oil, their lashes grew thicker and

fuller than they were before. As a result, they started

using caster oil specifically to grow fuller eyelashes.

Many Italians and Spaniards also have full, long

eyelashes. This can be partially attributable to the

large amounts of olive oil they consume.

The Mohawk Indians made a soothing eye bath from the

extract of sassafras leaves. The extract was mixed

with water and then dripped into the eyes.

Alternatively, the patient could dunk his face into

the solution, opening his eyes while immersed.

Sassafras is antiseptic and a pain reliever.

In Taiwan they apply cooled tea bags to itching,

reddened eyes to provide almost instant relief. Left

over tea bags, especially from herb teas, make very

good "eye bags."

Take a cup of chamomile tea, made with two tea bags,

into the bath with you. Let the infusion steep briefly,

then lift the tea bags out and allow them to cool

slightly. Place one over each eyelid to ease puffiness

or irritation and aid relaxation. When the cool too

much, put them back in the hot tea water, then dip them

out again and reapply.

For eyestrain & eye pain press upward with moderate pressure for ten seconds near the under- sides of the bony ridges above the eyes. On each eye, press a line of points a quarter-inch apart starting at the inner edge of the lower ridge of the eye socket ending at the outer corner of the eye. Press gently on the closed eyelids with the tips of two or three fingers for ten seconds.

Tired eyes:

cover the eyes with any of the following and lie down in a darkened room. Be sure to keep the eyes closed! Cold tea bags, raw potato slices, raw cucumber slices.

This one is good for puffy or tired eyes, and is used while relaxing in the tub. Soak 2 chamomile tea bags in hot water for several minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water, and when they are comfortably warm, place a tea bag over each eyelid. When the teabags are cool, warm them in the hot water. Repeat as often as you like.

My mom used to tell me that cucumber slices were good to relieve puffiness or dark circles under the eyes.

Take 2 slices of cucumber and place one on each eyelid. Then place a warm moist wash cloth over them. Leave them on for about 10 minutes. In the summer

use a cool wash cloth instead.

Take one teaspoon tomato juice, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder and a teaspoon of flour. Make a paste and apply. Leave for 10 minutes

and wash off.

Eyeglasses Need Cleaning?

Just squirt a tiny amount of dishwashing liquid onto the

inside and outside of the lenses. Rub the soap around with your fingertips and rinse well with warm water. Use a soft cotton cloth to dry.

Reduce swelling/bags under eyes, brew a cup of strong rosehip tea. Soak 2 cotton balls in the tea, lie down and place over the eyes. One small rosehip has about 10 mg of Vitamin C, and some Vitamin A. Different species of rosehips contain different amounts of Vitamin C. Rosehips ripen in early autumn, but are best for eating after the third frost. When processing rosehips, remember Vitamin C loss is greater in copper and aluminum pots than in enamel or glass.

Since diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness in the United States, you owe it to yourself to prevent eye complications by seeing an ophthalmologist at least once a year for a dilated eye exam. Early detection and effective treatments for glaucoma, cataracts, or retinopathy can make all the difference. Keep blood sugar levels and blood pressure under tight control, quit smoking, and make an appointment with your eye care professional immediately for vision problems and acute eye conditions.

Eye Rinse: In a half pint of water, warm one ounce of elder flowers and a half teaspoon of salt. Strain and use as needed to refresh eyes or relieve itching.

PASSION FLOWER: Used extensively as a relaxant for nervous tension and the rigors associated with high blood pressure. Also used to treat eye tension and strain.

HYSSOP: Regulates blood pressure, purifies the blood & promotes circulation, excellent aid for the eyes, hoarseness, lungs, mucous buildup, nervous disorders and skin problems.

EYE WEAKNESSES: To strengthen, brighten, cleanse, fight cataracts and heavy film on the eyes:/ EYEBRIGHT, GOLDEN SEAL ROOT, BAYBERRY,

RED RASPBERRY LEAVES and CAYENNE. May also be used in solution externally as eyewash.

GOTU KOLA: Is an excellent "brain food" which promotes memory & helps alleviate mental fatigue; excellent for the eyes, impotence, endurance, energy & normalizing blood pressure; considered to be an excellent nerve tonic.

How could reading or watching television cause myopia?

The theory is that the more time spent focusing on close objects actually causes the eyeball to grow longer to make looking at close objects easier. But then the eye has difficulty focusing on far-away objects.

Cataracts: Diabetes makes you 60% more likely to have this condition where the clear lens of the eye clouds up and blocks light. Wearing sunglasses and glare-control lenses in your glasses offer mild forms of treatment, but cataracts that interfere with your vision may require surgery.

Glaucoma: With diabetes, you are 40% more likely to develop glaucoma, a build-up of pressure in the eye. On top of that, the risk of developing glaucoma increases with age and years of having the disease. Treatment mainly involves medication to reduce the pressure in the eye, though surgery may be an option.

Steep a cup of strong rosehip tea. You can make the tea with your own with rosehips or buy a commercial brand. Do make sure it's strong. Soak 2 cotton balls in the tea or use 2 tea bags, lie down and place over your eyes. You can also buy your own tea bags and make your own.

Retinopathy: A general term for all disorders of the retina caused by diabetes, there are two major types: non-proliferative and proliferative. In the first, the blood vessels (capillary) of the eye balloon and form pouches, though this produces no symptoms and vision is generally not affected. Treatment involves yearly eye exams to make sure the condition is not getting worse. With the second type, blood vessels in the retina are so damaged that they close off. New blood vessels start growing but are too weak and leak blood, which blocks your vision and leads to a condition called "vitreous hemorrhage." What's worse, these new blood vessels can cause scar tissue to grow and subsequently shrink, distorting the retina or pulling it out of place and causing retinal detachment.

To lighten dark circles under your eyes, wrap a grated raw potato in cheesecloth and apply to eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Wipe off residue and apply an eye cream.

Eye Makeup Remover - all Natural

1 tbsp castor oil

1 tbsp light olive oil

2 tsp. Canola oil

Blend the above ingredients together. Apply with tissue or cottonball to remove makeup around the eyes.