Definition

The conjuctiva is the mucous membrane that lines eyelids and is reflected onto the eyeball. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of this mucous membrane.
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Causes

Conjunctivitis is highly contagious when it is caused by a viral infection. Factors that can contribute to the disease include: bacterial infection, injury to the eye, allergies, and substances that are irritating to the eye such as fumes, smoke, contact lens solutions, chlorine from swimming pools, chemicals, make-up, or any other foreign substance that enters the eye.
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Symptoms

Eyes may appear swollen and bloodshot; they are often itchy and irritated. Because the infected membrane is often filled with pus in conjuncivitis, the eyelids often stick together after being closed for long periods. If pain and blurred vision occur, seek medical attention immediately.
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Treatment

treat
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Nutrients

Vitamin A emulsion, 100,000 IU daily for a month, then 25,000 IU daily from capsule form, helps promote immunity to viral infection. Vitamin C, 2,000-6,000 mg. per day in divided doses, protects the eye from further inflammation and enhances healing. Zinc, 50 mg. per day, is important in all eye disorders and enhances immune response.
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Herbs

• Acacia
• Agrimony
• Angelica
• Aloe
• Alum root
• Barberry
• Bayberry
• Bilberry
• Borage
• Castor bean
• Celandine, greater
• Chamomile
• Cicely, sweet
• Clover, red
• Comfrey
• Cornflower
• Cucumber
• Elderberry
• Elm, slippery
• Eryngo
• Eyebright, red
• Fennel
• Flaxseed
• Frostweed
• Goldenseal
• Groundsel
• Gum plant
• Heal-all
• Herb Robert
• Honeysuckle
• Horsetail
• Houseleek
• Indian-pipe
• Jasmine flowers
• Lady's mantle
• Linseed
• Lovage
• Maple
• Marigold, tea
• Meadowsweet
• Mimosa, prairie
• Motherwort
• Myrrh
• Osage-orange, root
• Pokeroot
• Pomegranate
• Pot marigold
• Raspberry, red, leaves
• Rose flowers
• Rue
• Sagebrush
• Salsify
• Sandalwood
• Sanicle
• Sassafras
• Savory
• Speedwell
• Vervain
• Watercress
• Wild cherry bark
• Willow

Suggestions

Pink eye associated with hay fever can be treated with drops containing steroids, which must be obtained from the doctor, and used under his supervision.

A bacterial infection is typically treated with antibiotics if the eye does not heal within 4 days of supplemental use.

If the eyelids are swollen, try a peeled and grated fresh potato, wrap it with gauze, and place it over the eyes. It acts as an astringent and has a healing effect.

To make a good eye wash, dissolve 1/2 tsp. aloe and 1 tsp. boric acid in 1 cup of water.

Another eye wash: steep 1 tsp. goldenseal, 1/2 tsp. myrrh and 2 heaping tsp. boric acid in 1 pint boiling water. Add 1 tsp. of the infusion to 1/2 cup water and use.
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Bibliography

• Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; pg., 254, 424-425, 815-816.
• The Magic of Herbs, by David Conway, pgs., 94, 99-100, 100-101, 118, 121, 125-126, 131, 142-143, 148, 149-150.
• The Nature Doctor, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; pgs., 69, 392.
• The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, pgs., 140-141.
• Healing Plants, by Mannfried Pahlow, pgs, 74, 166.
• The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, pgs., 62-64.
• Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, pgs., 11, 55, 29, 72, 120, 147, 224, 240, 315.
• Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., pgs., 20, 28, 42, 62, 66, 76, 98, 128, 182, 192, 242, 278, 282, 286.
• The Old Herb Doctor, by Joseph E. Meyer, pgs., 72-73.
• Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, pgs., 91, 212, 259.
• The Magic of Herbs in Daily Living, by Richard Lucas, pgs., 53-56, 111-112.
• The Herb Book, by John Lust, pgs., 45-46, 67, 92, 100, 132, 190, 210, 225, 226, 239, 270, 296, 330, 335, 337, 366, 375, 393, 416.
• Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., pgs., 155, 159, 160, 170, 185, 198, 343.
• The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, pgs., 11, 12, 13, 14, 32, 39, 83, 88, 100, 102, 108, 111, 125, 135, 141, 143, 151, 164, 166, 173.
• Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., pgs., 173-174.

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