The conjuctiva is the mucous membrane that lines eyelids and is reflected onto the eyeball. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of this mucous membrane.
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Conjunctivitis is highly contagious when it is caused by a viral infection.
Factors that can contribute to the disease include: bacterial infection, injury to the eye, allergies, and substances that are irritating to the eye such as fumes, smoke, contact lens solutions, chlorine from swimming pools, chemicals, make-up, or any other foreign substance that enters the eye.
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Eyes may appear swollen and bloodshot; they are often itchy and irritated. Because the infected membrane is often filled with pus in conjuncivitis, the eyelids often stick together after being closed for long periods. If pain and blurred vision occur, seek medical attention immediately.
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Vitamin A emulsion, 100,000 IU daily for a month, then 25,000 IU daily from capsule form, helps promote immunity to viral infection. Vitamin C, 2,000-6,000 mg. per day in divided doses, protects the eye from further inflammation and enhances healing.
Zinc, 50 mg. per day, is important in all eye disorders and enhances immune response.
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- Acacia
- Agrimony
- Angelica
- Aloe
- Alum root
- Barberry
- Bayberry
- Bilberry
- Borage
- Castor bean
- Celandine, greater
- Chamomile
- Cicely, sweet
- Clover, red
- Comfrey
- Cornflower
- Cucumber
- Elderberry
- Elm, slippery
- Eryngo
- Eyebright, red
- Fennel
- Flaxseed
- Frostweed
- Goldenseal
- Groundsel
- Gum plant
- Heal-all
- Herb Robert
- Honeysuckle
- Horsetail
- Houseleek
- Indian-pipe
- Jasmine flowers
- Lady's mantle
- Linseed
- Lovage
- Maple
- Marigold, tea
- Meadowsweet
- Mimosa, prairie
- Motherwort
- Myrrh
- Osage-orange, root
- Pokeroot
- Pomegranate
- Pot marigold
- Raspberry, red, leaves
- Rose flowers
- Rue
- Sagebrush
- Salsify
- Sandalwood
- Sanicle
- Sassafras
- Savory
- Speedwell
- Vervain
- Watercress
- Wild cherry bark
- Willow
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Pink eye associated with hay fever can be treated with drops containing steroids, which must be obtained from the doctor, and used under his supervision.
A bacterial infection is typically treated with antibiotics if the eye does not heal within 4 days of supplemental use.
If the eyelids are swollen, try a peeled and grated fresh potato, wrap it with gauze, and place it over the eyes. It acts as an astringent and has a healing effect.
To make a good eye wash, dissolve 1/2 tsp. aloes and 1 tsp. boric acid in 1 cup of water.
Another eye wash: steep 1 tsp. goldenseal, 1/2 tsp. myrrh and 2 heaping tsp. boric acid in 1 pint boiling water. Add 1 tsp. of the infusion to 1/2 cup water and use.
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Back to Eden
, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994
The Magic of Herbs
, by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print)
The Nature Doctor, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993
The Healing Plants, by Mannfried Pahlow, Barron's Educational Series, Inc. 250 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788, 1992
The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974
Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000
The Old Herb Doctor, by Joseph E. Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1984, sixth printing 1994.
Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
The Magic of Herbs, by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print)
The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.
Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992
The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY
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