Natural Health Tip 50

Cures for Tired, Achy Eyes

I learned years ago that an orange colored sun in the mid-day sky was a high indication of a nearby big fire.  That’s what many Californians are experiencing this week, including me.  I am close to the Big Sur fire that is still raging and polluting the air with thick smoke and ash.  This is rough on the eyes and delicate surrounding tissue and also breathing, especially for children and those with respiratory conditions.

Tired, achy eyes can be caused by a number of conditions, such as wind, dust, pollen, glare, and strain from too much reading or long periods of staring at a computer screen.  Whether the cause is from natural or environmental irritants, our eyes can become fatigued and sore, and that can affect our work, leisure, even cheery disposition.  Rather than rely on an OTC eye solution, here are two easy cures for those tired, achy eyes.

1.                  Make a quick eye rinse from four ounces of sterile water or clean water from an unopened bottle, not water from a tap, and add a drop of calendula or chamomile oil.  Using a sterile eye wash cup or cotton ball, bathe the eye and surrounding eye tissue with the rinse.  These preparations and the oils are also available at a natural foods or herbal store or pharmacy.  The calendula and chamomile flowers have healing properties that can gently rid the fatigue and irritation of tired eyes.  Just a note: many of the OTC products to reduce redness can actually increase it when the effect wears off.