Natural Eye Health

Eyes - Mirrors of Health

The precious gift of sight, which brings light and color into our lives, is worth all the attention we can focus toward achieving and maintaining healthy vision. Our eyes are long range preceptors. All organs give the purest part of their energy to the eyes, helping to create their alertness and brightness.

Our eyes are much like a camera. The lenses at the front of the eye collect and focus light rays. The colored iris works as an aperture. The retina is compared to film which captures the image. As light rays reach the retina, they become electrical nerve signals which are transmitted through the optic nerve to the brain. The central area of the eye is the macula which contains about 6.25 million cones and 125 million rods which make up the approximately 1300,000,000 light sensitive cells of the retina. Retinal cones help us determine sharpness and color. Retinal rods respond to light, dark, shapes and movement. In the rear of the eye is a gel like substance called the vitreous fluid that contains a network of fibers. Tears are fluids that help to wash the lens with lysozyme, a powerful germ killer. The tear glands are less active during sleep. The front and rear chambers of the eyes contain a fluid called the aqueous humor that transports oxygen to the eye and carries away wastes. To keep our eyes strong and improve them it is important to express our emotions and not allow pressure to build (causing glaucoma) or cloudiness (cataracts). Crying can actually be a therapeutic way to clean and heal the eyes.

In Oriental Medicine, the liver governs the eyes and many ocular disorders have their roots in liver disharmonies. The liver meridian passes through the eyes. For example, insufficient blood supply to the liver or liver heat can be a cause in eyes that feel dry. Eyes that are often irritated and bloodshot may be due to the liver being irritated by coffee, alcohol and chemicals. Deficient liver blood can manifest as dry eyes with poor vision. The function of vision is governed by the kidneys and eye problems are also associated with deterioration of the kidneys. Acute eye conditions, such as watery discharge are likely to be associated with the lungs and allergies. Eyes that have a discharge of mucous may be aggravated by a diet too rich in congesting fats. Improper blood flow to the retina and strain on the delicate muscles of the eye can cause vision deterioration.

An ancient folk remedy to benefit the eyes is to gaze at the cooling rays of the moon. Spend time daily looking at the healing green colors of nature. Protect the eyes from excessive heat. Several times a day, splash cold water over your eyes to improve circulation. Sleep in a well ventilated room.

Keep in mind that eye problems are usually a long time in the making and consistency is needed to allow natural remedies to demonstrate their full benefits.

Besides eating a wholesome diet, foods that are known to be particularly beneficial to the eyes include black beans, soybean products, sunflower and black sesame seeds, beets, carrots, celery, green leafy vegetables ( especially spinach and watercress), leeks, sweet potatoes, barley, egg yolks, blueberries, dates, lycii berries, mulberries, raspberries and raisins.

During World War II, Air Force pilots were given bilberry jelly , which is actually a type of blueberry to improve their night vision. Bilberry extract is even available in capsule form these days. Also helpful are lycii berries, available in Oriental markets and some natural food stores. These sweet, reddish dried berries are considered to be a special liver yin tonic and helpful for blurred and poor vision. We use lycii berries like raisins - cooked into oatmeal, mixed into yogurt or added to trail mix.

Spirulina is also beneficial as a super food, rich in beta carotene and can be added to Smoothies. Use chervil, cilantro paprika and parsley frequently as condiments. Garnish your meals with fresh marigold petals from your garden which are rich in lutein. Some people may want to make a tasty beverage in their blender, rich in many nutrients for visual health.

BRIGHT EYE SMOOTHIE:

2 cups raw carrot juice

1 teaspoon rose hip powder

1/4 cup raw, unsalted sunflower seeds

3 tablespoons of wheat germ (Buy it refrigerated to help prevent rancidity.

Other good juices to mix are beet, celery, endive, parsley and spinach. Barley water is also excellent to take, several cups daily to improve the liver and eyes.

The herb eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis), a member of the Scrophularaceae Family, has a long history of use in treating eye disorders. The French often refer to this herb as "casses lunettes" which means "break your glasses." Ancient peoples found this herb slightly resembles an eye and used it for poor sight. Eyebright has a cool, acrid, slightly bitter taste that stimulates the liver function, thus improving blood supply to the eyes. Eyebright can be taken internally as a tea, capsules and extract. Many have also found that using the strained tea as an eyewash helps to reduce eye inflammation.

Herbal eyewashes have been used to strengthen the eyes and improve vision. To make an herbal eyewash. Pour one cup of boiling water over 1 heaping teaspoon of herb. Allow to steep 15 minutes. Make fresh each day to avoid introducing any bacteria into the eyes. Strain well (through a clean coffee filter) other herbs that can be used as eyewashes include: chamomile, cornflower and fennel seed.

A Chinese herbal tea blend is made with equal parts of lycii berries, ho shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum- a whole body tonic via the liver), red jujube dates (Zizyphi jujubae - a delicious liver tonic) and chrysanthemum flowers (Chrysanthemum moriflolium - clears the liver and brightens the eyes). Simmer 1 heaping teaspoon of each herb in 1 quart of water at a low boil, while covered for 20 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day. Other herbs to use include cooked rehmannia, cornus and white peony. Lycium-Rehmania pills (Ming Mu Ti Huang Wan) are good for weak eyes, including photophobia and excessive tearing.

Other herbs to benefit the eyes include:

Bilberry Improves night vision, eyestrain, myopia, cataracts, macular degeneration,glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, viral eye infections and weak vision. Contains anthocyanodins which are antioxidant and strengthen fragile capillaries. Alterative.

Chrysanthemum Allows energy to flow freely between the liver and the eyes. For allergies, eye soreness, lachrimation, night blindness, macular degeneration, redness, soreness and eye strain. Alterative, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and tonic.

Dandelion Use tea of leaves as a compress for cataracts. Drink internally to improve liver and thus eye function. Cholagogue and nutritive.

Eyebright For blepharitis, conjunctivitis, inflammation, eye discharges, photophobia and weak vision. Stimulates liver to clear blood and relieve congestion that affects visual clarity. Stabilizes conjunctiva. Internally and topically.

Garlic Take internally when dealing with eye infections, including staph. Alterative, antioxidant, antiseptic and vasodilator.

Ginger Use for eye inflammation such as conjunctivitis, iritis, retinitis and uveitis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic.

Ginkgo Improves circulation to the retina and tones capillaries. Improves retinal deterioration and increases visual acuity. For glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and poor vision. Antioxidant, cerebral tonic, circulatory stimulant, kidney tonic rejuvenative.

Ho Shou Wu Whole body tonic via the liver. Clears eyes. Alterative, anti-inflammatory, chi tonic, rejuvenative and yin tonic.

Horsetail Rich in flavonoids that strengthens connective tissue. Use for glaucoma. Alterative, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent and nutritive.

Jujube dates For vision and allergy sensitive eyes. Chi tonic, liver tonic, nutritive, rejuvenative and yin tonic.

Lycii berries Rich in carotenoids. Benefits macular degeneration, night blindness, blurred vision and weak vision. Helps remove toxins from kidneys and liver. Alterative, blood tonic, liver tonic, yin tonic.

Marshmallow root Apply as a compress for clogged tear ducts and eye inflammation. Nourishes dryness internally and externally. Alterative, demulcent, emollient, nutritive and rejuvenative.

Nettle Use for allergic eyes and glaucoma. Helps kidneys do a better job of cleaning the blood. Alterative, cholagogue, circulatory stimulant, nutritive and tonic.

Parsley leaf Strengthens brain and optic nerve. For eye strain, poor vision. Antioxidant, antiseptic and nutritive. Internally and topically.

Raspberry leaf Tonifies mucus membranes. Both leaves and fruit improve visual acuity when used over prolonged periods of time. Alterative, antiseptic, astringent, kidney tonic, nutritive and yin tonic.

Schizandra berries For vision loss. Helps body better utilize oxygen. Astringent, cerebral tonic, kidney and liver tonic, rejuvenative and restorative.

Violet Leaves Eat fresh leaves to improve visual acuity. Can be used as compress or eyewash for sore eyes. Alterative, antiseptic, demulcent and nutritive.

Yarrow herb Relaxes peripheral blood vessels thereby improves circulation. When used on a regular basis, helps excessive tearing and pain behind the eyes. Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent and cholagogue.

Research shows that certain vitamins and minerals help to maintain healthy eyes.

Vitamin A is manufactured in the liver from carotene. The rod cells in our eyes contain a substance known as visual purple or rhodopsin. If the body is deficient in Vitamin A, the cells' ability to make visual purple is impaired and night blindness, dry eyes and loss of color vision may result. People who work in bright lights, sunlight, snow, face car headlights, as well as folks having to see in the dark may benefit from this nutrient.

Vitamin A is often referred to as "the eye vitamin" and helps to strengthen the mucus membranes of the eyes. Many people know about beta carotene, present in orange colored foods, which gets converted into Vitamin A in the body. There is also an alpha and gamma carotene. Beta carotene can help prevent dry eyes and reduce the risk of macular degeneration. .

There are also xanthophils which can benefit the eyes. Xantho means yellow and phylls means "from leaves." Xanthophylls are oxygen derivatives of carotenes. They include phytochemicals such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which exists in plants, but whose color is usually covered up by the strong green presence of chlorophyll. Lutein and zeaxanthin can help prevent cataracts, macular degeneration and serve as light filters, helping to reduce glare and eye fatigue. Marigold flowers are excellent sources of these two phytonutrients.

Vitamin B1 deficiency may lead to dimness of sight. Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2, is also essential. A deficiency in this nutrient can manifest in blood shot eyes that burn, itch, water frequently or extreme light sensitivity (photophobia). People deficient in B2 may rub their eyes a lot. It is thought that light enters the eyes through a screen of riboflavin before reaching the visual purple. It is wise to spend at least 20 minutes daily in full spectrum light without glasses or contact lenses.

The lenses of our eyes contain more Vitamin C than any other body part, except some endocrine glands. Vitamin C and E may both help prevent cataract formation by preventing oxidative damage. In cases of cataracts, Vitamin C is usually deficient. Vitamin C also reduces inter ocular pressure and is antioxidant. Quercitin can help reduce viral infections in the eyes such as herpes and helps alleviate allergies that are affecting the eyes. Vitamin E is necessary for good circulation and muscle strength. It can minimize hardening of cholesterol within the eye's blood vessel walls. The macula contains beta carotene, vitamins C, E, lutein as well as copper, selenium and zinc.

People with myopia are often deficient in calcium which can contribute to eye muscle distortion. Chromium can help prevent eye problems due to diabetes it also decreases the risk of developing myopia. The cones at the back of the eyes have a special requirement for zinc to transport vitamin A from the liver to the retina. Zinc also helps to bind melanin pigment at the back of the eyes. N-Acetyl cysteine is a precursor to glutathione and is suggested for cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. The Omega 3 fatty acids should be used for dry eyes, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The Omega 6's are anti-inflammatory and enhance lubrication of the eyes. Pycnogenol (found in pine bark and grape seeds) elevates glutathione levels and can benefit cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. DHA is being studied and seems to delay bone degenerative rod loss in the eyes.

Homeopathic remedies for the eyes include:

Aconite : Overexposure of the eyes to snow reflection. Eye dryness. iritis, glaucoma. Pain from eye injuries. Worse from cold winds

Allium cepa : For conjunctivitis characterized by runny eyes.

Ammonium : Cataracts in right eye and styes that sting.

Apis : Eyes itch and burn with hot tears. Eyelids are swollen, especially the upper ones although swelling or bags may also occur

Nutritional therapy for poor eyesight is a good place to begin, but it is also necessary to distribute these valuable elements throughout the body with proper exercises. Eyes should get exercise just like any other portion of the body. Eye exercises can increase circulation to the eye area. Attached to our eyeballs are six little muscles that can be tonified.

When reading or focusing for long periods, squeeze eyes shut for a few seconds to increase blood flow to the area. If you spend your days, looking at close objects, every half hour take a break and gaze off into the distance. Many of us spend times, exercising our bodies. It truly is worth improving circulation and strengthening the muscles attached to the eyes to keep them in working order.

An exercise that has greatly improved vision for many people is:

1. Keeping the head still, look up and down 7 times. Close eyes to rest 10 seconds.

2. Look from one side to the other 7 times. Close and rest 10 seconds.

3. Look diagonally from one direction to the other 7 times. Close and rest 10 seconds.

4. Look diagonally from the opposite direction to the other 7 times. Close and rest 10 seconds.

5. Roll the eyes in an upper half circle and back 7 times. Close and rest 10 seconds.

6. Roll eyes in a lower half circle and back 7 times. Close and rest 10 seconds.

7. Place the backs of both hands over closed eyes and rest for a full minute.

Another simple way to exercise the eyes is to hold a finger or pen 10 or 12 inches away from the face, focus on the tip then look off into the distance. Repeat several times.

Turn the head from side to side as if saying no emphatically.

You might also try wearing a patch over one eye and spending some time roaming your yard, and drawing for short periods of time to exercise one eye at a time. Simple walking 20 to 40 minutes daily is also good for the eyes. If you spend your days in front of computers keep room lighting low with screen brightness three to four times that of the room. Minimize glare by keeping monitors away from light sources such as windows. Consider using an antiglare screen. Make sure characters on the screen stand out sharply. Have the screen positioned 14 to 20 inches away from eyes just below eye level. The colors of display characters that are easiest on eyes are amber and green. Fifteen minutes out of every hour try to do some non-computer sort of work.

Glasses can help us see clearly but they don't improve actual vision. If you wear contact lenses do so consciously by cleaning them properly and remove them to let the eyes breathe as much as possible. If you always wear glasses or contact lenses, consider that we may be blocking nature's full spectrum lighting as well as available oxygen to the eyes. Light enters the eyes and affects the pineal gland. When it is safe and can be done without strain, try to spend a little time each day without anything covering your eyes. Close your eyes and allow the sunlight to rest upon your closed eyelids for 3 to 5 minutes. Another beneficial eye strengthening technique is called "sunning." It is done by standing or sitting with closed eyes (though no glasses or contacts). Then turn one's head gently from the left to the right, allowing the sun's rays to gently cross over closed eyes. This is best done outside, preferably when surrounded by the calm, cooling green colors of nature.

Consider that cheap sunglasses filter only some rays but allow other rays to come through that may be harmful. The best sunglasses are gray, green then brown in that order. Do limit sun exposure.

Consider using full spectrum lighting in the home and workplace. Natural light improves visual acuity and helps prevent eyestrain.

Puffy eyes can be an indication of a food allergy, sinus problems, weak kidneys, sulfites in wine, alcohol consumption, excess sugar consumption, crying or exhaustion. Drinking nettle tea on a regular basis, along with avoiding allergens and getting enough rest are paramount. Be sure you aren’t using an eye cream you are allergic to. Eye creams are designed to be richer and thicker than other moisturizers as the area around the eyes lacks oil glands/ If the puffiness disappears as the day wears on, fluid retention may be the cause which is ultimately a kidney concern. Try sleeping with an extra pillow to promote elevation and less fluid pooling in the uindereye area. Sleep on your back, as sleeping all crunched causes creases leading to permanent lines. Using two pillows to elevate the head keeps fluids from pooling around the eyes. Puffy eyes could also be related to allergies to the bedding such as a down pillow or comforter.

An exercise for puffy eyes is to squeeze both eyes shut tight. Looking inwards, draw the lids inward towards the nose without using the hands. Keep the eyes relaxed/ Then move the eyelids outward/ Hold for three seconds. Repeat seven times. This exercise works quickly. Start doing it every night for ten nights. Then reduce the frequency to three times a week. May you see all things clearly!