Herbs for Eye Health: Try Alternative Approach to Safeguard Your Eyesight
Keeping your eyes in good shape is essential as sight is one of the most cherished senses. Losing eyesight can be really upsetting and unpleasant. You can take some steps to support healthy eyes, like wearing sunglasses and hats outdoors, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, and avoiding cigarette smoke. Still, there is something it might be worth incorporating into the routine – different herbs to improve eyesight. They have the potential to cure some illnesses or slow down diseases and maintain healthy eyesight.
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the eyes are connected to the liver and skin – they all share similar nutritional requirements, and they are prone to damage and inflammation. Most eye diseases result from toxin buildup, oxidative damage, or decreased circulation. Some of them come on so slowly that people may not develop noticeable symptoms until the condition becomes severe. Early detection and prompt treatment is the best way to prevent significant vision loss. We will present you with the most common and most effective Chinese herbs that help promote healthy eyesight and boost eye health.
Makari Wellness: A Safe & Natural Way to Improve Your Vision
We successfully treat symptoms of glaucoma, cataract, retinitis pigmentosa, optic neuritis, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, myopia, NAION, lazy eye, myopia, uveitis, lattice degeneration, retinal detachment, pink eye, meibomian gland dysfunction, central serous retinopathy, ocular migraine, posterior vitreous detachment, and a lot more eye diseases at Makari Wellness. The combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes can slow the progression of your eye disease.
With our individualized approach, you will get recommendations designed to nourish the eyes and maintain a healthy vision but also address underlying health conditions. With 85% of patients reacting positively to our vision treatment, we have measurable results to show how successful our treatments are. To book an appointment and try a safe, natural, and drug-free approach, call Makari Wellness at (888) 871-8889.
What Causes Eye Problems?
There are various diseases that can cause vision problems and loss. The causes of these problems are also different, so some of them include:
- Bacterial infection
- Viral infection
- Allergies
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Retinitis
- Increased eye pressure (glaucoma)
- Cataracts
- Some medications
- Retinal detachment
- Toxins and poisoning
- Eye tumor
- Diabetes complications (diabetic retinopathy)
- Traumas
- Corneal scars
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Refractive errors (farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism)
- Cross-eyes (strabismus)
- Eye malformations
Symptoms of Eye Problems
Similar to eye problems that vary significantly, symptoms can also differ from case to case. Some of the most common are:
- Cloudy vision
- Light sensitivity
- Double vision
- Eye pain
- Watery or dry eyes
- Blurred vision
- Eye floaters
- Tired, burning, or itching
- Poor night vision
- Eye strain
- Decreased visual acuity
- Excessive tearing
- Red eyes
- Stickiness or discharge
- Foreign body sensation and eye discomfort
- Alteration of the iris’ color
- Small pupil
- Hypopyon (a whitish spot on the lower part of the eye)
- Color blindness
- Swelling
Herbs to Improve Eyesight
If you are looking for more ways to support your eye health, take a look at our extensive list of herbs that can be used in the form of teas, pills, capsules, tinctures, dry and fresh herbs, extracts, and powders. The main benefit of herbal therapy is that it does not focus on the core problem only but also strengthens the overall immune system. Depending on your specific eye problem, a certified Chinese herbalist will use different plants with diverse properties to make a unique mixture that will be an adequate formula for your treatment.
Let’s check some of the most common herbs for eyes:
Eyebright
Rich in luteolin, quercetin, and Aucubin, eyebright help with eye inflammation in cornea cells. It can also offer relief from swelling, redness, burning, and sticky secretions. Eyebright has anti-inflammatory properties and can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. It has a long history of medicinal use and comes in the form of tea, liquid extract, capsules, and eye drops.
Ginkgo Biloba
If you are looking for the best herb for glaucoma, Ginkgo Biloba is the one. This herb helps in regulating blood flow and pressure by keeping the pressure low and blood flow constant. Also, it can help with diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration symptoms, so you can protect your eyes from permanent vision loss and increase your visual acuity.
Milk Thistle
It consists of a substance called silymarin and is an excellent liver tonic. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the liver and eyes are strongly connected. Milk thistle increases the flow of bile from the liver and helps detoxify poisons in the bloodstream, so it helps the eyes too. Since the liver saves glutathione and fat-soluble vitamins, it can be helpful in repairing the eyes.
Fennel
Fennel seeds are particularly packed with anti-inflammatory agents that relieve eye sensitivity and pain. You can holistically soothe puffy, red, and irritated eyes with a fennel seed eye rinse. It contains vitamin A, iron, and nutrients that can slow down cataract progression and promote healthy vision. Some research suggests that a drop of the fennel seed extract can reduce intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.
Wolfberries
Full of antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, wolfberries (or goji berries) have been shown to improve eyesight and prevent age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Those antioxidants filter out harmful blue light and provide antioxidant protection and help protect the eyes during aging. Besides being one of the best herbs for macular degeneration prevention, it also provides immune system support.
Saffron
Saffron contains a lot of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. It can improve overall visual acuity, light sensitivity, and can delay early-stage macular degeneration from worsening. It also protects against common diabetes complications, like diabetic retinopathy. You can use it in the form of tea (sip it), or you can use threads raw in cooked food.
Green tea
It is shown that the polyphenols in green tea fight free radicals and oxidative damage that can be underlying factors of many chronic diseases like glaucoma and cataracts. Also, some lab studies have shown that polyphenols in green tea protect retinal cells from UV light damage, as it contributes to macular degeneration and cataracts.
Turmeric
Besides antioxidant properties, turmeric reduces the oxidation presence in the eye’s lens, so that the eye’s lens remains accurate and sharp. Curcumin (the main ingredient in turmeric) promotes healthy eyes and is especially effective in treating dry eye syndrome. What is more, it can prevent the onset of retinal degeneration.
Bilberries
As a cousin of the American blueberry, European bilberry strengthens retinal connective tissue. It prevents/reduces both the fragility and leakiness of the ocular blood vessels. With its potent antioxidants, it is especially effective in improving night vision, myopia, prevents degenerative eye diseases, increases visual acuity, and increases the brightness of the images viewed.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal offers excellent antibacterial eye support and may also soothe itchiness caused by allergies. The bacteria-killing component of goldenseal – berberine must be used very carefully and in safe amounts, especially when in direct sunlight. Some studies show that taking goldenseal orally does not have this effect on the eyes.
Passion flower
If you are looking for herbs for blurry vision, passion flowers can help out a lot. Suppose you are reading something in dim light, which strains your eyes, or you look at something that is really close to you. In that case, the passion flower relaxes the blood vessels in the eyes so you can see better. It is usually used as an extract, so the right dose depends on the specific condition.
Chrysanthemum flower
It is considered one of the top herbs to benefit the eyes. Besides being perfect for clearing heat, it also combats red, itchy, teary, painful, and dry eyes. It helps soothe allergy symptoms – especially itchy eyes. If you really suffer, you can use the tea as an eye wash or cool compress – brew tea, let it cool, and use it as a compress.
Coleus
Coleus root contains forskolin, a substance that helps with dry eyes. Using the coleus root extract for 30 days moderately can decrease dry eye symptoms. Some studies even show that it can reduce intraocular pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles in the eye and helping with glaucoma. It also has some antihistamine properties, which may reduce allergic reactions in the eye.
Buddleia flower buds
The butterfly bush is known as the ‘eye guardian.’ Its leaves, roots, and flowers can be used in medicine. However, its raw or dried flower buds are commonly used in eye care. From the TCM point of view, it moistens the liver to improve vision. Its glycosides can repair damaged cell membranes of the lens, reduce lens opacity, prevent protein denaturation in the lens, and restore vision.
Grapeseed
Grapeseed extract improves circulation in the eyes and is also an immune-boosting herb. It strengthens the retina thanks to the phytochemicals it contains, preserving the ability to distinguish colors and see in low-light conditions. Also, it contains antioxidants and antihistamines that promote eye care and are good for overall vision. It fights free radicals, reverses oxidative damage, and protects retinal cells from a stress-induced early demise.
Calendula
Marigold is rich in lutein and beta-carotene. As one of the best herbs for cataracts, it fights free radicals that can damage delicate eye tissue. It also helps calm irritated eyes by allergies, chlorinated pool water, eye strain, dust, wind, pink eye, and dryness. You can use it as a cold compress and eyewash. Make sure that you make a small, fresh batch each day.
Chamomile
Widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile is mild enough to be used in any eye but strong enough to handle anything from minor eye irritation to a full-blown infection. Thanks to its antibacterial and analgesic properties, it has been one of the most used home remedies since ancient times. It can treat a stye, pink eye, dry eyes, and red eyes.
Let’s Mention Nutritional Supplements
Besides the abovementioned herbs that are a part of the vision treatment together with acupuncture, we cannot skip mentioning eye-supportive nutrients that can be found in multivitamins and natural food sources. It is very important to have a well-balanced diet, as overall health affects the health of the eyes. Some of the most nutrients for the eyes are:
- Alpha lipoic acid – helps fight cataracts and reduces eye cell damage.
- Beta carotene – lowers the risk of macular degeneration.
- Folic acid – aids healthy visual development and retinal function.
- Lutein – lowers the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Vitamin E – slows down cataract growth.
- Zeaxanthin – helps block blue light from reaching the retina.
- Zinc – strengthens retinal cells.