Want to get rid of pink eye and ease the pain? You are bound to have at least one or two pink eye home remedies in your kitchen right now.

It’s always wise to be prepared for flare ups of common disorders, so it makes sense to stock up on some of the items listed on this page. They all have multiple uses and you’ll find yourself reaching for them over and over again.

What Is Pink Eye?

Pink eye or conjunctivitis is a very common and painful inflammation of the eyelids and the conjunctiva – the membrane that covers the eyeball.

If you are suffering from pink eye you probably have some if not all of the following symptoms:

• redness
• pain
• dryness
• burning
• blurred vision
• sticky discharge

 

Pink eye has several causes. Viral infections, bacterial infections and environmental causes like allergies. Even strong winds and dust can irritate the sensitive eye tissues and lead to a conjunctivitis flare up.

Best Pink Eye Home Remedies

Whatever pink eye home remedies you choose ALWAYS apply a warm (as warm as you can stand) compress to the eye several times a day. This will help to reduce your discomfort.

It’s best to use distilled water for eye preparations to ensure that no chemicals from treated tap water further irritate your eyes.

Filter herbal infusions using a coffee filter before using the liquid as an eye wash or eye drops.

Make fresh preparations each day to eliminate bacterial contamination.

Where the use of a compress is indicated you can soak cotton balls or a wash cloth in the liquid.

If you wear contact lenses, you will be more comfortable and less likely to reintroduce the bacteria, if you discontinue use for the duration of the infection. Make sure you thoroughly wash out and sterilize the case, in addition to sterilizing the lenses, to ensure that no bacteria remains. If you’re using soft contacts, you may want to replace the pair completely.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera juice is a must for every home remedy kit. It has so many uses it truly is a wonder. It as often referred to simply as the medicine plant.

Soak a cloth or cotton balls in aloe vera juice and apply as a compress.

 

To make an eye wash from aloe vera, mix 1/2 teaspoon of juice with 1 cup of cooled, boiled water. 1/2 teaspoon of boric acid can be added as a preservative.

You can grow aloe vera at home. In warm climates it can be grown outdoors, otherwise grow on a sunny windowsill indoors.

Boric Acid

A boric acid eyewash may help relieve the pain, as it cleans and soothes the infected eye.

Make a solution from one quart of boiled water and one tablespoon of medicinal boric acid powder. Allow the solution to cool. Pour 1/4 cup into a clean cup and soak a cotton ball in the solution. Wipe the cotton ball over the affected eye.

1/2 fill an eye bath cup with solution and tip head back to flood the eye.

Use this solution 3 times a day.

Chamomile Tea

Our dog is prone to pink eye infections and this is the easiest of the pink eye home remedies to use for him. It works very quickly. A couple of hours of eye bathing and compress use and he is just about all better.

Steep a Chamomile tea bag in a cup of boiled water for 10 minutes. Place half of the tea into another cup, add a little cold water to bring it to a lukewarm temperature and then wash the eye with the tea.

Now take the warm tea bag from the first cup and use it as a compress over the affected eye.

Repeat the process every couple of hours.

Calendula

Calendula is an antiseptic and also reduces inflammation and itching.

To use as an eyewash, make a tea from two teaspoons of organic calendula flower petals steeped in one cup of boiled water. Allow to cool.

To use as a compress soak a washcloth or cotton balls in the warm tea and apply.

Coriander

First mash a handful of freshly dried coriander leaves and then boil them in water.

Strain the liquid and allow it to cool. Use as an eyewash to relieve burning and reduce pain and swelling.

Honey

The very best honey to use is Active Manuka Honey. Apitherapy is the name given to treatment with natural honey. These treatments have been used by many different cultures throughout history and are now being reconsidered by a modern world in light of new research into the properties and uses of active manuka honey.

For pink eye home remedies dissolve three tablespoons of honey in two cups of boiling water. Allow to cool and use as an eye wash and as a compress.

You may experience a little burning sensation with this method.

Jasmine Flowers

Place several flowers into distilled water and leave overnight. Use an eyedropper to place a few drops into the eye.

Marigold

Marigold has both antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties.

Make a marigold tea using a marigold tea bag and apply as a warm compress.

Potato

Raw potato is a natural astringent and will help to reduce inflammation.

Grate some raw potato and place over closed eyes.

Saltwater

Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of boiled water. Allow to cool and use as an eyewash.

Soak cotton balls in the solution and use as a compress.

Turmeric

Turmeric has anti bacterial, anti inflammatory, anti allergy and astringent properties.

Add two teaspoons of turmeric powder to one cup of boiled water. Allow to cool to a comfortable temperature and use as a compress.

DISCLAIMER

This information on pink eye home remedies is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.