Conjunctivitis: An Ayurvedic Approach

Brief about eyes and conjunctiva:

We the humans are the most beautiful creations of the Almighty. We have brains, can eat, and can see colorful things. The eyes let us see this beautiful world. Our eyes are the sensory organ of our body. The eyes are composed of many parts and sensitive areas including the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a transparent membrane that covers the eyelids. The white portion that you notice in your eyes is conjunctiva. 

Eyes get infected easily and one such condition is conjunctivitis. It’s the condition in which the blood vessels present in the conjunctiva become inflamed. You must have seen someone with conjunctivitis or have experienced it. We are here to tell you what Ayurveda tells us about conjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis in Ayurveda 

As per Samhitas ( Ayurvedic texts), an eye disease named Abhishyanda can be co-related with conjunctivitis. Abhishyanda is composed of two words: Abhi which means profuse or more and shyanda which means discharge and secretion. 

Any disease in Ayurveda occurs because of the vitiation of the three doshas: Vata, Pita, and kapha. Based on the vitiation of doshas, Abhishyanda can be classified under four — 

1. Vataj Abhishyanda: In this, a person experiences unbearable pain in the eyes. 
2. Pittaj Abhishyanda: In this, a person experiences a burning sensation in the eyes.
3. Kaphaj Abhishyanda: In this, the person experiences severe itching and water discharge from the eyes.
4.  Raktaj Abhishyanda: In this, the eye becomes red and the person experiences itching, pain, and burning sensation in the eye.

What can trigger conjunctivitis?? 

Conjunctivitis is a contagious disease. It spreads from one person to another. Its causes are listed below- 

• Infection from microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.
• Allergic reaction 
• Use of irritants and chemicals 
• Use of contact lens
• Foreign bodies 
• In contact with an infected person.
• When any disease becomes severe such as in the case of diabetes. 

What are the symptoms of Conjunctivitis?

In conjunctivitis, the following symptoms are seen-

• Itchy eyes.
• Burning sensation in eyes.
• Eyes become red.
• Lacrimation 
• Sometimes sticky discharge from the eyes is also seen.
• Blurred vision.
• Swelling in eyelids.
• Sensitivity to light.

How Conjunctivitis can be treated in Ayurveda?

In an Ayurveda there are a wide range of treatments for Abhishyand that is Conjunctivitis. It could be treated via Ayurveda by following treatment plans – 

Lifestyle modifications : 

Our lifestyle plays an important role in maintaining our health. On the other hand, unhealthy and dirty hygiene deteriorates our health. Ayurveda also focuses on these things and therefore it suggests some precautionary measures for conjunctivitis like –

• Practicing good hygiene 
• Don’t use others personal things like towel 
• Washing hands regularly 
• Avoiding day sleep  
• Avoid suppressing natural urges like sneezing, coughing, and many more. 

Dietary control : 

What we eat is reflected by our health. So, for this Ayurveda suggests following:

• To avoid heavy, oily, and hard-to-digest foods. 
• Include more leafy green vegetables, pomegranate, and rock salt.

Yoga : 

Everyone knows that yoga helps us to cope with stress and anxiety. For the maintenance of healthy eyes, it removes eye strain and strengthens the muscles of the eyes. If you are suffering from conjunctivitis, you can try the yoga postures listed below- 

• Suryanamaskar 
• Sarvangasana 
• Bhujangasana 
• Shavasana 

Medications :

For conjunctivitis, Ayurveda suggests the following medications – 

• For treating this eye ailment, internal medications like sudarshan churna, punarnavasav, and many more are prescribed.
• Use of external medication in the form of— 
• Dhara: Dhara is the process in which medicated liquid is poured over the closed eyes. 
• Prakshalan: Washing eyes with medicated decoction like triphala.
• Aschyotana: In this process, medicated liquid is poured drop by drop into the eye. It is like an eye drop.
• Vidalaka: In this process a medicated paste is applied over the closed eyes. 
• Gandusha: Holding medicated liquid or paste for a while in your mouth is called gandush 

 Purification: 

These include procedures that remove toxins from our body and therefore balance the vitiated doshas. For conjunctivitis, the purification procedures include — 

• Virechan ( Purgation)
• Nasya 
• Rakta Mokshan ( Bloodletting)

At the bottom Line

Every disease should be treated in a proper way. You should always consult a doctor once before the disease becomes chronic or complicated. This eye disease that is conjunctivitis can be fully cured through Ayurveda. There are many home remedies for treating the same, but in sensitive organs like eyes never try any herbal or home remedy before consulting Vaidya ( Ayurvedic doctor)