Eye Health- Natural Remedies
Natural herbs, roots and supplements can help keep your eyes healthy and sometimes help reverse conditions along with routine visits to your eye doctor.
Primary causes of vision loss:
Bacterial infection
Medications
Corneal scars
Eye tumor
Retinitis
Diabetic retinopathy
Glaucoma
Age-related macular degeneration
Cataracts
Trauma
Vitamin A deficiency
Viral infections of the eye
Toxins and poisoning
There are some simple and easy steps to help prevent vision loss, including wearing sunglasses and hats while outdoors, eating nutrient-dense foods that are geared towards eye health, maintaining a proper weight, managing stress, and avoiding cigarette smoke. All of these have an effect on our vision.
One important factor to take into account is that the ‘natural’ method isn’t a quick fix. Patience and perseverance are two traits that must be followed towards the path to better vision.
Herbal Remedies:
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) - contains vitamins A, B (thiamine and riboflavin), C, and E, which all have eye-nourishing properties. The vitamin B-1 (thiamine) found in eyebright is crucial for intracellular eye metabolism. Zinc, selenium, and copper are also found in eyebright and help contribute to healthy retinas and lenses, while rutin offers nutritional support to the eyes.
Gingko (Ginkgo biloba)- helps promote blood circulation and maintain the normal function and tone of blood vessels. It can also promote oxygen circulation and glucose metabolism in the brain and eye. In glaucoma, this herb stabilizes the capillaries in the eye to make them less fragile.
Coleus (Coleus forskohlii)- eyedrops have been shown to reduce the production of fluid within the eye, thereby reducing pressure. Therefore, it may have relevance in the treatment of glaucoma.
Bilberry (European blueberries)- is often touted as a remedy for eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, dry eyes, age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa. It also shows promise in the treatment of eye fatigue and may play a possible role in the treatment of retinal disorders and other eye conditions.
Vitamins/ Food:
Vitamin A & Beta Carotene - Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash and green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin C - Red berries, kiwi, red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, and juices made from guava, grapefruit, and orange.
Vitamin E - Vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, avocados, wheat germ, and whole grains.
Zinc oxide - nuts, dried beans, soy foods, whole grains, and fortified breakfast cereals.
Lutein & Zeaxanthin - kale, spinach, turnip greens, collard greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, corn, garden peas and Brussels sprouts.
Essential Fatty Acids- flax seeds, soybeans and walnuts.
Taurine (amino acid)- Amino acid supplement.
Copper- Spirulina, shiitake mushrooms, nuts, seeds, leafy greens like spinach, kale and swiss chard.
References:
https://floridaeye.org/eye-health/natural-remedies-to-reverse-vision-loss-fact-or-fiction/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24721186/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-bilberry-88315
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0911/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-eyebright-89451
https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/ask-the-herbalist-herbs-for-healthy-eyes
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-copper#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8