Sarah EatonPink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva. This is the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. Rarely does it affect your vision, though it can be an extremely uncomfortable condition. However, with a proper pink eye treatment, symptoms can be more tolerable until the infection clears up. Be sure to try some of the home remedies for pink eye listed below. (1)
A natural treatment for pink eye includes, for example, aloe vera or turmeric. Or try any of the below pink eye home remedies to help alleviate pink eye symptoms.
Here are 6 pink eye home remedies:
1. Tulsi
Tulsi, or holy basil, has potent healing abilities. As such, it’s one of the top home remedies for pink eye. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing agents help protect the eyes from environmental damage and free radicals. It can fight viral, bacterial and fungal eye infections. (2)
To use tulsi as a pink eye treatment, start by soaking the leaves in boiled water for 10 minutes. Then use the water as an eyewash. Alternatively, soak a clean cotton pad or washcloth in the water and use it as a warm compress. This can be a very effective and soothing treatment for pink eye.
2. Green Tea
Green tea has bioflavonoids that relieve irritation and inflammation, as well as fight bacterial and viral infections. Therefore, it’s a good to use as a pink eye treatment.
Dip a bag of green tea in boiled water, then once it’s cool enough to touch, place it on your infected eye. You can also make a cup of green tea, soak a washcloth in it, then press it to your eye. (3)
3. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloin and amodin, which are compounds in aloe vera gel, have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Furthermore, aloe vera can reduce inflammation and speed up healing time, so it’s a good choice from the list of home remedies for pink eye.
To use it as a pink eye treatment, place aloe vera gel around the eye and eyelid upon first noticing symptoms. A 2012 study found that aloe vera extracts can be used on human corneal cells safely. They can be used, in fact, in eye drops to treat inflammation and other external eye ailments. (4)
4. Turmeric
Turmeric is another good home remedy for pinkeye. It has healing compounds and reduces inflammation, and also has antibacterial properties.
Add two tablespoons of turmeric powder to one cup of boiled water. Then, put a clean washcloth in the mixture and soak it completely. Squeeze out excess moisture then use the turmeric-soaked cloth as a warm compress as a pink eye treatment. (5)
5. Neem Oil
Another one of the good home remedies for pink eye is neem oil. This soothing and gentle item is great for relieving irritated skin. Furthermore, it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents that can help relieve conjunctivitis symptoms. Spread neem oil around the eye and eyelid before going to bed. (6)
6. Colloidal Silver
One of the fastest home remedies for pink eye is colloidal silver. The tiny silver colloids suck up the infected cells by attracting them electromagnetically, then send them to the bloodstream to be eliminated. And the bonus is that unlike prescription medications that only treat certain bacteria, colloidal silver is effective regardless of what is causing the infection. (7)