Everything You Need to Know on Herbs and Eye Health

In a country like India, herbs and spices seem to be an essential ingredient of most meals as served at home or at the office or while dining outside. It is also seen as a medium that brings diverse groups of people together through its essence and flavour. But did you know that the typical domestic herbs that are used in households can also nurture our eye health?

Yes, with the advent of National Herb day round the corner, we thought we should share the history of using home and herbal remedies to cure illnesses and most common diseases. Herbs, too have a variety of benefits. Apart from adding flavour, they can also help in maintaining good eye health in a variety of ways. Eye ailments can be silent killers since quite often one may not even realise it until it’s too late. But certain herbs have the potential to cure common ailments. Here are some remedies that can boost eye health:

• Eyebright: This herb helps soothe itchy eyes and conjunctivitis. It has been used for a long time in Europe.
• Gingko Biloba: This herb can reduce the risks of glaucoma and macular degeneration by acting as a cerebro-spinal dilator.
• Fennel: Fennel is said to be particularly helpful for watery and inflamed eyes. Apart from these mild conditions, Fennel can also be used to treat cataracts and glaucoma.
• Saffron: Saffron, a kitchen herb, like fennel is also used to treat cataracts. Furthermore, it can also delay degeneration of eyesight among elderly people.
• Bilberries: The benefits of these berries were discovered by British pilots in World War II. They said that they helped their night vision. Bilberries help blood circulation in the smallest of capillaries. They also contain anthocyanosides which help the eye adjust to various levels of light.
• Green tea: Apart from its famous antioxidant properties and benefits for weight loss, green tea also helps in reducing dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.
• Turmeric: Turmeric is famous enough for its antiseptic properties. But it also helps reduce the oxidation of the eye lens, something which is the cause of many eye problems.
• Grapeseed: The extract of this seed is rich in phytochemicals which are good for the eyes. It also has antihistamine and antioxidant properties which are good for the all-round health of the eyes.
• Goldenseal: Goldenseal, when used as an eyewash, is used as a cure for mild irritating conditions caused by allergies like trachoma.

Such herbs if incorporated into the diet, or even used for medication purpose can help improve vision. Good eye care starts from good eye health!