Ayurvedic Management Of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an eye disease that causes pain and swelling in the part of the eye and that can be passed from one person to another. It can be defined as a condition caused by the inflammation of the transparent layer outside the eyeball called the conjunctiva. It is happening due to allergic reactions to dust, pollens, and chemicals or can also be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. This eye infection is also called pink eye or red eye.

According to Ayurveda this condition is known as Netrabhishyandam, which means inflammation of the eye and is caused by the vitiation of pitta and Kapha doshas. When Kapha dosha gets aggravated in the eye, it vitiates the Pitta dosha and causes redness, watery secretions, and swelling which lead to conjunctivitis. Ayurvedic conjunctivitis treatment consists of internal cleansing herbs to alleviate the aggravated body energies as well as the application of herbal pastes to the affected area.

Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis or pink eye or red eye is caused due to inflammation of the conjunctiva. While this condition does not affect the vision, it causes a lot of irritation in the eye and discomfort. Some of the Symptoms of Conjunctivitis are as follow:

• Burning and itching sensation in the eyes. .
• Blurred vision.
• Redness in the eyes.
• Watering of the eyes.
• Swelling of the conjunctiva. .
• Sticking or matting of eyelids in the morning – especially the affected eye. .
• Photophobia or sensitivity or intolerance to the visual perception of light.

Some of the symptoms of Conjunctivitis include Burning and itching sensation in the eyes, blurred vision, redness in the eyes, watering of the eyes, swelling of the conjunctiva, Sticking or matting of eyelids in the morning, and sensitivity to the visual perception of light.

Causes Of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a transmittable disease that can spread quickly. Some of the causes are:

• Viruses.
• Bacteria.
• Allergies.
• A chemical splash in the eye.
• A foreign object in the eye.
• In newborns, a blocked tear duct.

Types Of Conjunctivitis

According to Ayurveda, conjunctivitis (Netrabhishyanda) is generally caused by the impairment of pitta and Kapha doshas. Different types of conjunctivitis are mentioned below:

• Allergic conjunctivitis

  They are called allergic conjunctivitis because they are allergic to one substance or another. In general, allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes.

• Bacterial conjunctivitis

  This is caused by bacteria called staphylococci or streptococci. The path of this disease is usually through the skin of an infected person who may be infected by the substances in the air.

• Viral conjunctivitis

  These types of conjunctivitis are caused by Adenovirus. This is happening due to the common cold. Those who have flu and pneumonia can develop this type of conjunctivitis. It is highly contagious and one must take precautions to prevent it from spreading to others.

Different types of conjunctivitis are Allergic, Bacterial, and Viral conjunctivitis.

Ayurvedic Management Of Conjunctivitis

The Ayurvedic treatment of eye conjunctivitis finds a permanent cure of the disease by identifying the root cause of the disease and eliminating it. Various herbal medicines and Panchakarma therapies are used for natural conjunctivitis treatment under Ayurveda. The main Ayurvedic treatments are explained below:

• Siravedha

  This Ayurvedic treatment is also called therapeutic bloodletting. According to Acharya Sushruta, this treatment is considered one of the five purification procedures. It is the procedure of letting out vitiated blood from the body.

• Netra Tarpana

  This treatment includes nourishment of the eye through oleation. It is a procedure where circular-shaped frames made of powdered Masha paste are placed around the eyes. Lukewarm medicated “ghee” (according to the dosha) is then poured into the frames.

• Putapaka

  Putapaka is an Ayurvedic eye care treatment. It is a kind of procedure, where the juice of fresh green herb will be obtained by the process of Puṭapāka. After Tarpana therapy to restore strength to the eyes, Putapaka is done.

• Dhumapana

  Dhumapana is a type of herbal fume inhalation procedure followed in Ayurveda and is used in the treatment of conjunctivitis. In the inhalation process, the patient must sit straight, with their mouth open, and inhale the smoke through each nostril (alternatively). They should be focused on during the inhalation process. This treatment is very effective for discharge and itching in the eye.

• Aschyotana

  Aschyotana is the first line of treatment for eye diseases. It is the procedure of pouring the liquid medicines over the eyes from a height of four angula (finger width). The person should lie on a cot in a place devoid of breeze. His eyes should be opened with the left hand of the physician. The medicine dispenser, either a seashell or a wick, is held in the right hand of the physician just two Angulas (finger width) above the inner angle of the eye (inner canthus). 10 – 12 drops of the medicated liquid are put into the eye. Afterward, the eyes should be cleaned with a soft cloth. Mild fomentation is given with a piece of cloth dipped in warm water in disorders of Kapha and Vata.

• Nasya

  One of the Panchakarmas mentioned in Ayurveda, Nasya therapy is one of the panchakarma treatments mentioned in Ayurveda. It is a process wherein the drug (herbal oils and liquid medicines) is administered through the nostrils. It helps to cure musculoskeletal pathologies of the neck, shoulders, diseases of the eyes, ears, gums, teeth, and diseases of the brain itself.

• Sirovasti

  Sirovasti involves the application of specific lukewarm oil to the head for a specific period. Sirovasthi is an effective treatment in Ayurveda for nervous system disorders. To carry out Shirovasti therapy, the first step starts with the application of warm herbal oil all over the body. It is very effective to cure eye diseases like conjunctivitis.

In the Ayurvedic classics, therapeutic bloodletting (Siravedha), Netra Tarpana (nourishment of the eye through Oleation with herbal oil or Ghee is advised to heal the condition. Eye irrigation with special drops (Putapaka, Inhale medicated smoke (Dhumapana), Eyedrops (Aschyotana), Nasal insufflations (blowing medicine) of medicine (Nasya), Irrigation overhead (Sirovasti), etc, are different therapeutic procedures recommended for the management in Ayurveda.

Ahar (diet) And Vihar (lifestyle) For Conjunctivitis

Ayurveda recommends following diet and lifestyle changes to cure the symptoms of conjunctivitis.

A) Diet Recommendations (Ahar)

Ayurveda recommends practicing the light diet. The food that should be included in the diet every day such as ghee, milk, rock salt, honey, snake gourd, red rice, green gram, wheat, Triphala, carrots, and leafy vegetables in patients of Abhishyanda.

Avoid foods such as sour foods, dry meat, all alcohols, select sea fishes, curd, and tobacco, excessively hot and fatty foods.

B) Lifestyle Changes (Vihar)

• Should follow Personal hygiene especially avoiding personal contact with those infected.
• Walk regularly.
• Wear headgear such as caps and hats, and eye gear such as sunglasses to protect from UV radiations.
• Make sure you get good sleep regularly.
• Make it a habit to wake up early.
• Massaging ghee on soles is said to be beneficial for the general health of the eyes in Ayurveda.

C) Preventive Measures

Some of the guidelines that are helpful to prevent conjunctivitis are mentioned below:

• Avoid areas of abundant fly population.
• Maintenance of good hygiene and proper sanitation.
• Avoidance of hot, dry, dusty climate, overcrowding.
• Avoidance of sharing of personal households e.g. handkerchiefs, towels, cosmetics.
• Keep hands away from the eyes as far as possible.
• Washing of hands with soap often at least 5 times a day.
• Avoid consuming incompatible food items (Viruddhahara), Adhyasanam (overeating).
• Avoid hot headwater bath, daytime sleeping, night awakening, smoking, cold water bath in hot body condition, suppression of urges.

Ayurvedic Home Remedy To Manage Conjunctivitis

The below-mentioned tips are effective home remedies to cure the symptoms of conjunctivitis.

• Drink a glass of lemon juice early in the morning on an empty stomach to reduce the infection.
• Blend some coriander leaves with half a cup of water. Filter the mixture and apply the pulp on the closed eyelids. .
• Steep a teaspoonful of coriander seeds in a cup of water for 15 minutes. Strain it and apply the water externally on the eyelids for relief from conjunctivitis.
• Soak half a teaspoon of Triphala powder in a glass of water overnight. Filter the water in the morning and use it to wash the eyes.
• Mix some turmeric with a little amount of water, dip a small and neat piece of cloth in it and let it dry. Use this cloth to wipe the affected area of the eyes to help reduce infection .
• Make a paste of neem leaves and apply it externally over the eyelids to reduce the pain.
• Dip a small and neat towel in cold water and place it gently on the affected eye to relieve the pain and irritation.
• Dip a cotton ball in some goat’s milk and wipe the eyes with it for conjunctivitis to heal quickly. .
• Mix some amla juice with honey and drink it twice daily for quick healing.
• Put a few drops of coconut oil in the eyes and lie down for some time to reduce the swelling and itching in the eyes.
• Place a cucumber slice over the eyelid for a soothing effect on the eye.

Pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva and is happening in the underside of both the upper and lower eyelids and the covering of the white portion of the eye. Ayurveda calls this condition Netraabhishyandam. Following the preventive measures and Ayurvedic home remedies mentioned above helps to treat conjunctivitis.

Conclusion

The information about Netraabhishyandam is taken from different Ayurvedic resources. Please consider the opinion of a qualified Ayurvedic doctor, before experimenting with these Ayurvedic treatments and home remedies for conjunctivitis.

References

• Charaka samhita.
• Shusruta Samhita.
• Ashtanga Hridayam.