Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis refers to the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin transparent membrane covering the front of the eye and is a very common form of eye trouble and mostly also known as "sore eyes". It spreads from person to person through direct contact, due to overcrowding, dirty surroundings and unhealthy living conditions.

The eyeball and under side of the eyelids become inflamed. At first, the eyes are red, dry and burning and in the later stage, there may be a watery secretion. In more serious cases, there is pus formation. And while sleeping, this material dries, making the eyelashes stick together.

• Conjunctivitis results from bacterial infection, viruses or eyestrain and also due to unhealthy living conditions.

• Even prolonged work under artificial light and excessive use of the eyes in one way or the other undoubtedly contributes towards the disease.

• But its real cause can be traced to a catarrhal condition of the system resulting from general toxemia due to dietetic errors and faulty style of living.

• The patient generally suffers from colds or other ailments indicative of a general catarrhal condition.

Natural remedy for Conjunctivitis begins with an exclusive fresh fruit diet for about seven days. The diet may include fresh juicy fruits in season such as apple, orange, pears, grapes, pineapple and grapefruit. Those who have a serious trouble should undertake a juice fast for three or four days. The method is to take the juice of an orange, in a glass of warm water, if desired, every two hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nothing else should be taken as otherwise the value of the fast will be lost. If orange juice disagrees, carrot juice may be taken. A warm water enema should be taken on a daily basis during the period of fasting.

The short juice fast may be followed by an all-fruit diet for further seven days.

Thereafter, the patient may adopt a general diet scheme on the following lines:-
Breakfast: Any fresh fruits in season, except bananas.
Lunch: Large mixed raw vegetable salad with whole meat bread or chapatis and butter.
Dinner: Two or three steamed vegetables, other than potatoes, with nuts and fresh fruit.

The patient should avoid too much intake of starchy and sugary foods in the form of white bread, refined cereals, potatoes, puddings, pies, pastry, sugar, jams and confectionery, which cause the general catarrhal condition as well as conjunctivitis. He should also avoid the eating of excessive quantities of meat and other protein and fatty foods, strong tea and coffee, too much salt, condiments and sauces.

Raw juices of certain vegetables, especially carrots, and spinach, have been found helpful in the treatment of conjunctivitis. The combined juices of these two vegetables have proved very effectual. 200 ml. of spinach juice should be mixed with 300 ml. of carrot juice in this combination. Vitamin A and B2 have also been found valuable in the treatment of conjunctivitis. The patient should take moderate quantities of natural foods rich in these two vitamins. Valuable sources of vitamin A are: whole milk, curds, butter, carrots, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, mangoes and papaya. Foods rich in vitamin B2 are green leafy vegetables, milk, almonds, citrus fruits, bananas and tomatoes.

As regards local treatment, a cold foment renders almost immediate relief by chasing away an overactive local blood supply. First a small hand towel should be folded and saturated with cold water. The excess water should be squeezed out and the towel should be applied gently over both eyes. It should be covered with a piece of warm cloth to retain the temperature. It is advisable to carry out the procedure for one hour. After terminating the wet pack treatment, the eyes are to be covered with a dry towel. The damaged eye tissues will quickly return to normal. The treatment should be repeated every night for a week, even though the problem may clear up with the first treatment itself. The eye muscle exercises on defective vision are also valuable in the treatment of conjunctivitis.

Aconite 30: The following symptoms are usually common for using the medicine and these are sudden, acute conjunctivitis with red eyes and swollen eyelids. The eyes are dry and hot and there is a feeling of sand in them. The victim is restless and anxious and feels he is going to die. There is an unquenchable thirst for cold water.

Argentum n 30: This medicine is useful in case of severe conjunctivitis, the inner corners of the eyes looking especially red. There is profuse, pus-like discharge from the eyes. There is a tired, aching feeling in the eyes which lessens on tightly closing the lids, or applying cold compresses. A craving for sweets and an apprehensive nature causing diarrhoea are other features of this medicine as well.

Belladonna 30: when the person is suffering from sudden and severe conjunctivitis where not only the eyes, but also the whole face appears red, the person should immediately use the medicine named Belladona 30. Throbbing pain and burning in the eyes and the pupils are abnormally large or dilated, these are the symptoms of using the same medicine.

Euphrasia 30: Acute conjunctivitis with redness and itching of the eyes are the common symptoms for using the medicine Euphrasia 30. The tears, which flow out constantly, are acrid, causing burning of the eyes. Simultaneously, the nose also waters. But this fluid is bland or non-burning. Warm applications to the eyes seem to worsen the problem.

For the home remedy, a cold foment renders almost immediate relief by chasing away an overactive local blood supply. The procedure is as follows:


•Fold a small hand towel and saturate it with cold water. Squeeze out excess water and place the towel gently over both eyes. Cover it with a piece of warm cloth to retain the temperature.

•Repeat the process as soon as the foment gets warmed. Carry out the procedure for one hour. After terminating the wet pack treatment cover the eyes with a dry towel and lie back and relax. The damaged eye tissues quickly return to the normal level. The treatment should be repeated every night for a week.

Two North Pole of magnets-of the CCM types should be applied directly over both eyes for 20 minutes twice daily. The eyes should also be washed with North Pole magnetized water. In case of excessive irritation and burning, Rose water magnetized on the North Pole should be used an eye-drops once during the day and again at bedtime.