Giving tired or irritated eyes a bath is a wonderful experience. A glass or plastic eye cup (still sold in drug stores) can be used, but a basin filled with water will also work.
The eye bath can be taken with warm or cold water and is done by dipping the face with eyes open in a basin of water for 30 seconds. This process can be repeated 4 or 5 times. If using an eye cup, clean it well and fill with cold water. Place the cup over the eye, tilt the head back and open the eye. Rinse well with hot water before treating the other eye. The warm eye bath (86 to 91 degrees F.) should always end with a cold bath.
Eye baths can be used effectively for an infection or injury. A good eye wash for an infected eye is to make a weak tea with goldenseal powder or fennel powder. Steep ¼ tsp powder in ½ c. hot water for 5-10 minutes. Strain the herb through gauze or muslin two or three times. Squeeze a cotton ball which has been dipped in the tea into the inside corner of the eye. If you use an eye cup, be sure to sterilize the cup before using and then again before treating the other eye by boiling it for 5 minutes. Apply to each eye 4 or 5 times. I have used this many times for conjunctivitis or pink eye.
For an injured or scratched eye, bathe the eye with Calendula tea (Pot Marigold).
Warm water is used when the eye is inflamed or diseased.
Cold water is excellent for tired, strained, weak, but healthy eyes. It strengthens and revives the inner and outer vessels, cleansing the tear ducts and stimulating circulation.
Eye Compresses
Hot or cold compresses can be applied to the eye to treat sties or any inflammation. Use comfrey root, goldenseal or bayberry tea. Strain twice through muslin. Dip a clean cloth, gauze pad or cotton in the tea and apply over the eye for. For sties, leave the compress on for 20 minutes and repeat every 3 or 4 hours until the sty opens up. A cold compress relieves pain and promotes healing by dispersing congestion.
