Eye Tips

Homeopathy for Eye Problems By Dr. Leia Melead, Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Acupuncturist Reviewed & updated by Dr. Marc Grossman Learn more about homeopathic products for specific eye conditions. Homeopathic medicine is a specialized discipline or branch of Alternative, Holistic, or Natural Medicine. The word "Homeopathy" comes from the Greek word "homeo" meaning the same or like. Otherwise, Homeopathy means "like cures like". Homeopathy uses substances found in nature, either plant, animal, or mineral, which would ordinarily cause a problem or a disease (or mimic symptoms of a condition) if one comes in contact or ingests these substances. Homeopathic remedies are used to treat that same or similar dysfunction in a human being. Apis For instance, as a natural eye care treatment, if someone has red, swollen eyes, using a targeted homeopathic preparation such as Apis can often resolve this problem. Let's look at Apis which is honeybee serum. Normally, when the honeybee stings, it causes a red, swollen area on the body where it occurred. Yet using Apis in an extremely diluted homeopathic preparation has the opposite effect by improving and even resolving the red, swollen eye issue. The dilution is so small that there is no physical evidence of the honeybee serum left in the homeopathic remedy. Homeopathy utilizes only highly diluted substances and not the full strength herb, plant, mineral or animal. This is the distinction between natural medicines and homeopathic medicines, although a possible comparison is when one receives a flu shot where a tiny fragment of genetic material from the bacteria or virus is given to the body to initiate an immune response that helps prevent getting the actual flu later. Homeopathic medicines are good choices for home treatment of simple first aid or acute (non-emergency) health problems, because they have no harmful side effects unlike chemical drugs. If the remedy chosen is incorrect for the problem, then nothing will happen and the problem will not resolve. There will be no adverse side effects from using it and this makes it particularly safe for giving to children and animals. Here are a few homeopathic remedies and their keynotes, which may prove helpful for eye problems: (Please note, that if there is any serious injury or trauma to the eyes, then professional help should be sought. These remedies are for simple, non-complicated eye problems. If the problem persists, please visit your eye doctor or obtain emergency care.) Aconite relieves the pain and inflammation in an eye injury, usually given as the first line of defense as soon as the injury or trauma has occurred. It is also given for pain due to a foreign object in the eye (this does not replace a visit to your eye doctor as needed). Aconite's relief is just temporary and often immediate. Arnica is good for bruising, black eyes, and bleeding. It can be taken internally every hour if needed until the eye feels better or when the bruise and swelling is decreased. It is also good for eye socket injuries, and for injury to the soft tissue surrounding the eyes. Alumina is useful for dryness due to lack of aqueous Arsenicum album is useful for dryness due to inflammation Apis is useful for pain, swelling, heat, allergy eyes, and pressure sensation. Belladonna is good for sudden onset of red, hot, burning, itchy eyes. Calcarea flourica is good for capillary integrity Calcarea phosphorica is helpful for the sensation of a foreign body in the eye. Calendula is helpful for corneal healing and corneal health and vitality. Causticum is used for eye pain and cloudy vision. China may help dimming of the vision. Cineraria maritima supports circulation within the eye to supply nourishment and drain toxins. It is well known for its use in treating cataracts, especially early cataracts.1 Chamomilla matricaria is helpful to reduce pain and irritation.1 Euphrasia is helpful for general dryness, redness and irritation of the eye and eyelid.2 Gelsemium is helpful for eye pressure balance Hypericum is used for eye injury, excessively painful eyes or blood shot eyes or any nervous affliction of the eyelids or eyes, such as excessive blinking. Also used for eye pain, which follows removal of a foreign object from the eye. Also for long-lasting enduring pain. Kalium phosphoricum is helpful for weak vision, health of the optic nerve Ledum can be useful for bruising or black eyes if Arnica does not alleviate the problem. The keynote for using ledum is the presence of puncture wounds. Lycopodium is helpful for the optic nerve Mucokehl supports blood health and circulation Natum muriaticum is useful for the health of the eye Nux moschata is helpful for aggravation from cold air, dry air. Nux vomica for dryness, light intolerance, pain Phosphorus is useful for retinal haemorrhage Ruta graviolens is useful for eyestrain, computer eyes, or close up work. For painful, red, hot eyes. Also for headache due to eyestrain. Senega is helpful for cataract, sensation of spots and specks on cornea Sepia supports relief from glare, veiled vision, streaks of light. Silicia is helpful for cataract, conjunctiva health Staphysagria is helpful for the sensation of a foreign body in the eye. Sulphur is used for dryness, redness of the eye and lid and allergies. Symphytum is beneficial for eyeball injuries, such as being hit with a snowball, a tennis or baseball, or any other blunt object striking the eye. Zincum mettalicum is used for pain and headache.