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Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is valued for its antiseptic and antibiotic properties. It reduces infection and inflammation and has been used for more than 100 years by American herbalists to heal eye inflammations.
Honeysuckle (Lonicerae japonicae) has been shown to inhibit viral and bacterial infections, such as those from staphylococcus, streptococcus and salmonella, the bacteria that can cause conjunctivitis.
Red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus), an astringent, helps loosen mucous discharge from the eyes.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a very effective herb in the treatment of inflammatory conditions when used externally.
A good remedy would combine the Chinese remedy, Ming Mu with the herbs listed above. Make a compress using this mixture or any of the individual herbs and apply it two to three times a day.
Homeopathic Remedies 1
There are several homeopathic remedies helpful in the treatment of conjunctivitis.
Belladonna is used in the early stages of conjunctivitis when the eyes suddenly appear bright red, hot and throbbing. Tears will flow and there will be sensitivity to light.
Euphrasia is indicated when the eyes and lids are red and the discharge may be thick with mucus. The eyes will feel dry and sandy.
Apis is used when the conjunctiva becomes swollen. The eyes will be red with a lot of hot tears and the eyelids may be puffy as well. Cold compresses are also helpful along with this remedy.
Pulsatilla is called for when the redness is accompanied by a thick yellow/greenish discharge. The eyes may itch and burn, especially towards evening. The lid
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margins may be extremely itchy. If exposure to fresh air and bathing the eyes in cold water are helpful, this is the remedy to try.
Hepar sulph is a good choice if there is a thick pus-like discharge or if warmth makes the eyes feel better (and coldness makes them feel worse).
If symptoms persist over one week, see your physician or consult a qualified homeopath.
Other Remedies
Similisan eye drops #1 (or #2 for allergic irritation) or eye drops of colloidal silver also are beneficial for a speedy recovery.
Case Study
A woman visiting from Japan had developed acute conjunctivitis after swimming in contaminated water. She sought natural remedies rather than drugs. Our first recommendations were to discontinue wearing her contact lenses and, of course, to avoid swimming in the contaminated water.
We recommended the Conjunctivitis Prevention Program. After three days of following many of the recommendations in the program, her eyes looked normal. She waited one more week to be sure all toxins were eliminated from her system before she began to wear her contact lenses again.
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CONJUNCTIVITIS PREVENTION PROGRAM |
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Vision Diet |
Follow the Vision Diet in Chapter 1 as closely as |
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possible. |
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Plain yogurt is especially beneficial. |
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Avoid all sugars. |
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Drink 810 glasses of water per day, but not with |
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meals 30 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a |
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meal. |
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Nutritional |
Take the following vitamins and minerals on a |
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Supplementsdaily basis: |
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Vitamin A |
5,00010,000 I.U. |
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Beta-carotene |
10,00025,000 I.U. |
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Vitamin B1 |
100 mg |
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(thiamin) |
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B2 (riboflavin) |
100 mg |
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B3 (niacin) |
100 mg |
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B5 (pantothenic |
500 mg |
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acid) |
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B6 (pyroxidine) |
100 mg |
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Folic acid |
1,000 mcg |
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B12 (cobalamin) |
100 mcg |
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Choline |
100 mg |
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Inositol |
100 mg |
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Biotin |
500 mcg |
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Vitamin C |
1,500 mg (buffered form) |
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Vitamin D |
200 I.U. |
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Vitamin E |
400800 I.U. |
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Zinc |
30 mg |
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Chromium |
200 mcg |
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Selenium |
200 mcg |
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Calcium |
500 mg for men, 800 mg for |
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women |
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Magnesium |
500 mg |
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Quercetin |
2,000 mg |
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Rutin |
300 mg |
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Omega-3 oils |
1,500 mg |
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Omega-6 oils |
1,500 mg |
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(table continued on next page.) |
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(table continued from previous page.)
CONJUNCTIVITIS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Acupressure Massage each point for 30 seconds, twice a day:
Points
1.Bladder 1 (Jing Ming)
2.Gall Bladder 1 (Tonziliao)
3.Large Intestine 4 (Hegu)
4.Liver 2 (Xingjian)
5.Stomach 44 (Neiting)
6.Triple Burner 23 (Sizhukong)
7.Bladder 10 (Tian Zhu)
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See the Appendix, pp. 13138 for the description |
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and location of points. |
Herbal |
Take a combination of Ming Mu Di Huang Wan |
Remedies |
(Brighten the Eyes) with chamomile, cleavers, |
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echinacea, eyebright, goldenseal, honeysuckle, |
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red raspberry leaf and calendula available from |
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Integral Health Apothecary and Starfire |
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International (see Resources). Take 12 pills 3 |
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times a day, and 1 teaspoon of the mixture of |
other herbs twice a day. HomeopathicConsult a trained homeopath who can
Remedies |
recommend the appropriate constitutional remedy |
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for you with regard to your conjunctivitis, or try |
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Belladonna, Euphrasia, Apis, Pulsatilla or Hepar |
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Sulph. |
Other |
Similisan eye drops #1 (or #2 for allergic |
Remedies |
irritation) or eye drops of colloidal silver. |
Exercises |
Do 20 minutes of both aerobic and eye exercises |
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at least four times per week (see Chapter 1). |
Spinal |
Consult a qualified chiropractor or osteopath to |
Manipulationmake sure that the spine and neck are free from any energy blocks that might cause poor circulation and, thus, lack of energy to the eyes.
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