Our eyes are the busiest organ on an external level - why? - They blink almost 15000 times on an average in a day. In nature, the most supple & flexible elements can survive the fiercest of storms - That’s the reason heart & kidney ailments are more common than eye problems.

Does that mean we can neglect our eyes? Please do not do  that. - “Eye are our window to the soul”

Yet life can easily take a toll on the eyes and the delicate area that surrounds them.  Luckily, nature offers remedies aplenty to nourish, protect and pamper many common eye problems.

Dark circles

These shadows could be due to:

• genetics or, according to traditional Chinese medicine, a depletion in the kidney meridian caused by age or illness.
• Steve Given, the associate dean of acupuncture and Oriental medicine at Bastyr University in Washington state, points out that dark circles are not a cosmetic issue, but are rather an indication of an internal imbalance.
• To brighten the under eye area, focus on the basics: Sufficient rest, a nutrient-filled diet and restraint with alcohol consumption.

• Allergies, commonly referred to as “allergic shiners,” are another cause of dark circles. Alan Keith Tillotson, an herbalist in Wilmington, Del., suggests butterbur (petasites) to relieve respiratory symptoms and eyebright (Euphrasia) to relieve itchy eyes.
• Butterbur has been found to work as well as Zyrtec (cetirizine), a prescription antihistamine for allergic rhinitis that doesn’t have sedating side effects.
• Eyebright is an herb that has been used for many years for eye irritation, but there are no good studies to support its effectiveness.

Red eyes

These could be allergy-related, so consider the previously mentioned herb.

• If redness comes on suddenly or is accompanied by discharge or discomfort, talk to a health care practitioner to rule out an infection such as conjunctivitis (which is highly contagious and, in most cases, resolves on its own).
• Antihistamine eye drops or oral antihistamines are two conventional treatments that treat red eyes well if the cause is allergic.
• Tillotson’s solution for bacterial eye infections is eye drops with goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). Goldenseal has antibacterial properties and soothes irritated eyes.

Sty

This bacterial infection is actually an obstruction of oil glands. It causes a little bump on the eyelid and sometimes a red, crusty eye in the morning. It can come from makeup residue or use of old makeup products.

• Be sure to remove your eye makeup nightly — no matter how bleary you are — and toss out products after three months.
• If you get a sty, try tea. Moisten a bag of black tea, place the bag on the affected area for three minutes, and do this five times a day.
• According to Tillotson, the tannin in tea acts as an astringent, reducing blockage and easing infection. This approach also treats dark circles.

Dry eyes

This is a common issue due to the natural aging process:

• Oil production decreases with age, which dries out the conjunctiva, the outermost layer of the eye.
• Add other stressors such as the environment (dry air, wind) and hours sitting at the computer, and you’ve got trouble.
• Stay hydrated and consume essential fatty acids commonly found in cold-water fish like salmon and mackerel, flax and olive oil.
• Tillotson recommends a daily intake of 200 to 250 milligrams of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 150 to 200 milligrams of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 500 milligrams of evening primrose oil, and vitamin A eyedrops to moisturize the conjunctiva. Or opt for Chinese herbs.
• Rehmannia 6 nourishes the yin (darkness, cold or wetness within), maintaining moisture throughout the body.

Vision problems.

Though no natural cure exists, certain nutrients help nourish eyes and prevent vision loss. The key players are:

• carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene.
• Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in spinach, collard greens and kale.
• Tomatoes, watermelon and strawberry jam contain lycopene, but Tillotson suggests taking a supplement to ensure that you get sufficient amounts.
• Prevention is also critical, so wear sunglasses to avoid ultraviolet (UV) ray damage.

Fine lines and wrinkles

A byproduct of a lifetime of expressing yourself, the fine lines around the eyes need moisture.

• Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the cells, and alas, declines with age.
• Using a product that contains hyaluronic acid will help the area absorb and hold onto moisture, which works to smooth and plump the lines around the eyes over time.