What to know about dry eyes before treating it with medicinal herbs

Dry eyes, also known as dry ocular surface disease, occur when the eyes fail to produce enough tears or have an imbalance in the tear composition.

This condition can lead to discomfort, blurred vision, and increased risk of eye infections. Causes include environmental factors, aging, and certain medications. Certain medicinal herbs, such as aloe vera, licorice root, and eyebright, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe and lubricate the eyes.

However, excessive use can cause systemic effects, and users should consult with a healthcare professional before using these herbs, especially if taking medications.

This article explains in detail what dry eyes is, how it affects your life and what are its causes. Then, it lists what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results. Lastly, it revals what other natural remedies to use in conjunction with herbal medicine to aid with this problem.

What is dry eyes and how it affects your life?

Dry eyes is a common condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears are of poor quality, leading to dryness, irritation, and discomfort.

It can affect people of all ages, from young children to older adults. Dry eyes can negatively impact your life in numerous ways.

For example, it can cause blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches, making it difficult to perform daily tasks, such as reading, watching TV, or working on a computer. It can also make your eyes feel gritty, scratchy, and sensitive to light, making it uncomfortable to wear contact lenses or even open your eyes in bright conditions. Furthermore, dry eyes can lead to eye infections, such as conjunctivitis, and even affect your ability to drive at night or engage in outdoor activities, such as sports or hiking.

Additionally, it can cause fatigue, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating, affecting your productivity and quality of life.

What are the main causes of dry eyes?

Dry eyes, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a condition characterized by a lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye.

This leads to irritation, discomfort, and potentially long-term damage to the eye. People with dry eyes often experience persistent stinging or burning sensations, redness, and blurred vision. The condition can significantly impact daily activities, making it difficult to read, watch TV, or work on computers for extended periods.

It can also be painful to wear contact lenses, and in some cases, it may even cause vision loss. Additionally, dry eyes can affect social interactions, as it can be challenging to wear makeup, especially around the eyes, and it may be uncomfortable to be in air-conditioned or windy environments. Furthermore, the condition can disrupt sleep patterns, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep due to the constant irritation and discomfort.

Overall, dry eyes can have a significant impact on quality of life, affecting not only physical comfort but also emotional and social well-being.

What are the best medicinal herbs for dry eyes?

The best medicinal herbs for dry eyes are those that have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.

Sage and fennel, in particular, have been used to soothe dry, irritated eyes by reducing inflammation and promoting tear production. Aloe vera and yarrow have similar properties, while marshmallow root helps to protect and lock in moisture.

These herbs can be consumed as teas, tinctures, or applied topically to provide relief from dry eye symptoms.

The most effective medicinal herbs that help with dry eyes are listed below.

• Sage: Sage has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce redness and swelling in the eyes, relieving dryness and discomfort.
• Fennel: Fennel's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds can help soothe and protect the eyes from irritation and dryness.
• Yarrow: Yarrow's antispasmodic properties can calm and relax the muscles around the eyes, reducing strain and promoting tear production.
• Aloe: Aloe vera's moisturizing and soothing properties can provide quick relief from dry eyes, reducing itchiness and inflammation.
• Marshmallow: Marshmallow root's demulcent properties create a protective barrier on the surface of the eyes, locking in moisture and soothing dryness.
• Asiatic pennywort: Asiatic pennywort's flavonoids and other nutrients can improve eye health, increasing tear production and reducing dryness.
• Licorice: Licorice root's anti-inflammatory compounds can help reduce redness and swelling in the eyes, alleviating dryness and irritation.
• Elder: Elder flower's antihistamine properties can help alleviate itchiness and reduce inflammation in the eyes, promoting tear production.
• Dandelion: Dandelion's antioxidant properties can help protect the eyes from damage caused by free radicals, promoting healthy tear production and reducing dryness.
• Pot marigold: Pot marigold's carotenoids can help protect the eyes from damage and reduce inflammation, promoting healthy tear production and reducing dryness.

What are the most effective herbal preparations for dry eyes?

The most effective herbal preparations for dry eyes are teas, decoctions, tinctures, gels, and capsules.

Teas and decoctions can help soothe and moisturize the eyes, providing relief from dryness and irritation. Tinctures can be applied topically to the eyes, allowing the active compounds to penetrate directly and reduce inflammation.

Herbal gels can provide a protective barrier on the surface of the eyes, locking in moisture and soothing discomfort. Capsules can be taken orally, where the active ingredients are absorbed systemically, supporting eye health from the inside out.

Each of these preparations offers a unique benefit, but together they can be used to provide comprehensive relief from dry eyes.

The most used herbal preparations that help with dry eyes are listed below.

• Decoctions: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which help to soothe and moisturize the eyes.
• Tinctures: Anti-inflammatory properties reduce redness and swelling associated with dry eyes.
• Salves: Moisturizing properties provide long-lasting hydration to the eyes.
• Capsules: Rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that support eye health and reduce dryness.
• Creams: Hydrating ingredients, such as aloe vera and chamomile, calm and soothe dry, irritated eyes.
• Ointments: Provide an intense, long-lasting moisturizing effect, ideal for severely dry or irritated eyes.
• Gels: Refreshing and hydrating, gels can be applied directly to the eyes to provide fast relief from dryness.
• Syrups: Antioxidant-rich and soothing, syrups can help to calm and protect the eyes.
• Teas: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe and protect the eyes from dryness and irritation.
• Tablets: Omega-3 fatty acid and antioxidant-rich, tablets support eye health and reduce dryness and irritation.

What precautions to take when using herbal remedies for dry eyes?

When considering the use of herbal remedies for dry eye relief, it's essential to exercise caution and follow certain precautions.

Always consult with a healthcare professional before trying any new herbal remedy, as some may interact with medications or have adverse effects on certain individuals. Additionally, choose high-quality, pure herbal products from reputable sources to minimize the risk of contamination or adulteration. When using herbal remedies for dry eyes, start with small doses and gradually increase as needed, monitoring your symptoms closely.

Also, be aware that herbs can affect blood thinning, so if you're taking anticoagulant medications, consult with a healthcare professional before combining them with herbal supplements.

The most important precautions to take when using herbal remedies for dry eyes are listed below.

• Research carefully the recommended dosages and potential interactions with other medications
• Consult with a healthcare professional before trying any new herbal remedy
• Start with small amounts and gradually increase as needed and tolerated
• Monitor your vision and eye health closely while using herbal remedies
• Stop immediately if you experience any irritation, redness or discomfort in the eyes
• Be aware of any potential allergic reactions to herbs and stop use if symptoms occur
• Consider patch testing any new herb on a small area of skin before applying it to the eyes
• Store herbal remedies safely out of reach of children and pets
• Follow the recommended storage instructions for each herb to maintain potency and freshness
• Disclose your use of herbal remedies to your healthcare provider when receiving medical treatment