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.