Ayurveda’s Timeless Tips for Eye Care

If you work a desk job or have spent more than thirty minutes at a time staring at a screen, you know the fatigue, soreness, and strain on your eyes firsthand. Nowadays, we spend more time staring at a screen than ever before, whether crunching numbers at our day job or scrolling through Facebook at home. All these screens take an immense toll on our eyes.

Some people rely on surgeries, drops, and medications to help mitigate eye strain. While this works for some, many others are more interested in a more natural route for both remedial and preventative care.

Ayurveda provides the perfect combination of treatment, prevention, and natural, holistic management for eye care. Ayurveda's deep understanding of the mind-body connection offers time-tested, nature-based solutions for improving and maintaining eye health.

Eye Health Through the Ayurvedic Lens

In Ayurveda, nearly all bodily functions are governed and highly affected by the doshas, or energies. Each dosha is in charge of different functions, and each is also susceptible to becoming imbalanced when we have too much or too little of something in our diet or environment.

The pitta dosha, especially Alochaka Pitta (a sub-dosha responsible for visual perception), governs the eyes. When the pitta dosha becomes imbalanced, our eyesight suffers. With too much pitta, the eyes become red and inflamed. You might experience light sensitivity, headaches, or premature vision deterioration. With too little pitta, you might have dull or unclear vision with a slow response to light stimuli.

Our eyesight is also sensitive to the health of our digestive system. When our agni, or digestive fire, is strong, the body can properly turn food into plasma and blood, which nourishes the eyes. However, when agni is weak, the body has a harder time getting rid of ama, or toxins. Ama builds up and lodges in sensitive tissues like the eyes, negatively affecting eyesight.

The liver also plays a significant role in the health of our eyes. Like the eyes, the liver is a pitta-dominant organ. The liver metabolizes and purifies the blood, which our eyes rely on for optimal sight. When the liver isn't functioning at its peak (often due to a pitta imbalance), the blood going to our eyes isn't purified. This can result in yellowed or bloodshot eyes, dryness, burning, fatigue, and light sensitivity.

Ayurvedic Herbs and Remedies for Vision Support

The natural, earth-based solutions in Ayurveda have been practiced and refined for thousands of years. Ayurvedic healers are experts in understanding and prescribing the best herbs for eye health. Some of these herbs include:

• Triphala: Made from three different fruits, this powerful blend's antioxidant properties and ability to clear toxins and reduce inflammation make it a potent herb for eye health. Triphala also comes in an eye wash form for targeted support.
  
  
• Amla: High in antioxidants and Vitamin C, amla helps protect the eyes from damage, cataracts, and degeneration.
  
  
• Haritaki: Haritaki is known for its cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which do wonders for sensitive and inflamed eyes.
  
  
• Bhringraj: Rich in carotene, an essential nutrient for eye health, bhringraj nourishes and protects the eyes against cataracts and degeneration.

Many times, Ayurvedic practitioners will also recommend rosewater as a compress, eye wash, or eye drops. Its soothing and cooling qualities help relieve eye strain, dryness, and inflammation.

While these herbs are some of the most commonly recommended supplements for eyesight, it's important to note that the best herbs for you will depend on your conditions, underlying causes, and individual prakriti, or constitution. Whether you're looking for Ayurvedic botanical supplements for screen eye fatigue, cataracts, or another issue, consulting with a Vaidya for individual recommendations is best.

Diet for Bright and Healthy Eyes

Because eyesight is so strongly connected with the pitta dosha, it's essential to consume a pitta-pacifying diet. This will help rebalance the pitta dosha and improve your eye problems.

Some of the best pitta-pacifying foods are cooling and rich in antioxidants and Vitamin A. This includes leafy greens, ghee, and yellow-orange vegetables. Additionally, because the pitta dosha is very sensitive to spicy or oily foods, it's best to avoid these. They'll increase your internal heat and further strain your eyes.

In addition to modifying your diet with these foods, hydrating your body with herbal infusions and water-rich foods is highly beneficial. Doing this supports lubrication and cellular rejuvenation in your eyes.

Daily and Seasonal Practices for Eye Wellness

If you're unfamiliar with Ayurveda and its practices, you might be surprised to know that lifestyle changes are just as important as herbal remedies and dietary adjustments. It's very different from Western medicine, but because Ayurveda takes a holistic approach, the results are much more impactful.

Ayurvedic practitioners often emphasize the importance of dinacharya, or a daily routine, in restoring and maintaining health. Eye washing with herbal or medicated solutions as part of your dinacharya can help manage a variety of eye symptoms. Incorporating daily eye exercises recommended by a Vaidya can also be wonderful in reducing fatigue and sharpening focus, especially after a long day at the computer.

Many Vaidyas also recommend seasonal detox regimens to reduce inflammation and support long-term eye clarity. However, the detox process is more complicated than just researching online and following the most popular regimens. Scheduling a Vaidya consultation for eye problems is the best course to receive personalized instruction.

Naturally Restoring Eye Health with Ayurveda

Ayurveda's gentle, holistic approach to eye health makes it a highly appealing option for those seeking natural support. Ayurveda emphasizes that long-lasting health, in the eyes and the rest of the body, comes from wellness on the inside, not quick fixes and prescriptions.

However, Ayurveda's individualistic principles are just as important. While the recommended herbs, dietary changes, and lifestyle choices can be helpful, the best solution for lasting eye health is to consult with a Vaidya to help you understand the best choices for your eyes. With a Vaidya's expertise, you can receive a customized and effective eye care plan rooted in ancient wisdom.

Infographic

If you've experienced eye strain from long hours at a desk or in front of screens, Ayurveda offers a natural way to find relief and promote eye health. This infographic highlights Ayurvedic tips that can help maintain healthy vision in our screen-dominated lives.