Top Natural Remedies for Dry Eyes - Internal and External Applications

Hi all- Went shopping at a local grocery store few months ago and they had a sale on Grape Seed Oil so thought I'd give it a try for cooking instead of the regular olive oil, never use Veg Oil or other bad oils. I used it for frying eggs in the morning. So surprised when the following day, my dry eyes were completely normal again. I'm 50 so just thought dry eye was part of aging process. Was not looking for a remedy and stumbled upon it by surprise and glad to have normal eye lube again! Thought I had to pass it on! Also use it on my skin and love the texture. I've heard it a super antioxidant. My friend now uses it on her salads and loves it as she says it is much lighter than olive oil. Best wishes to all!

Hi Francisca- Dying to know if that GSO help you any? I've continued to use it and it's been well over a year and notices some changes. Besides completely clearing my dry eye problem, I use it after my morning shower and now my feet have never been softer! I don't even put it on my feet as I'm afraid of slipping but I guess it has traveled from ingesting or whatever and my formerly dinosaur feet are now almost as soft as my hands and they have never been like that! Also notice my thyroid glands on my right side which were slightly swollen, have very slowly started to feel less so. Also, I'm a big girl, 52 and just went to have lab work and could not believe almost all my levels were perfect. Never had such good lab results! Will continue use and report back! Cheers All!! In Good Health, Martha

I'm sorry to sound dense, but do I apply it to the inside of my eyelid or on the outside of my eyelid? I have two aloe plants and can use fresh, pure aloe. I'm hoping this will work for me. I had lasik surgery, and now my eyes are so dry and the lasik is not working. It's been 6 months since the surgery.

I think the castor oil people are trying for dry eyes is just great. I searched everywhere for years, I too tried many different items and they only worked temp. Then some one told me to try black cohosh sold in all herbal stores, it's sold as a capsule, I take one every morning, and it's great for every day. I also found that my dry eyes are caused from a virus. So I am working on the whole body one day at a time, one body part at a time. But good luck & I just thought I would share some extra back up info.

My eyes are dry, especially my right eye. I wear contacts as well as glasses. (Mostly contacts, extended wear.) My eye doc once asked me if I sleep with my eyes open. I asked why and she mentioned something about dry eyes. That was years ago.

I had read about coconut oil being used in the eyes for parasites and even though my condition was different, I felt like it wouldn't hurt to put coconut oil in my own eyes. I did some research and decided to go ahead. I opened a fresh jar of coconut oil (organic unrefined), washed my hands, removed my lenses, got a clean spoon, and scooped out a tiny bit with the tip of the spoon.

Coconut oil melts pretty much as soon as it hits skin so I thought it should melt quickly in my eye as well. (I keep my unopened jars of coconut oil on the floor in my office so the oil is usually more on the solid side.)

I went into the bathroom (better lighting though I didn't really need to see anything) and held my head back. Then I realized I didn't want to put the spoon in my eye so I put a little oil on the tip of my clean finger. I kind of swiped my finger in my eye just enough to get the oil in without actually touching my eye with my finger. It felt soothing then it burned a tiny bit. Not in a bad way, much the same as when I use my saline to flush my eyes when they feel dirty or gritty after returning home from being out all day.

I used a cotton swab to swipe lightly across my eyeball, in an effort to remove any dirt or debris that might be present. Then I added more oil and rolled my eyeball back and forth a few times, to make sure it got under my eyelid, etc. After a while, it felt really good. Then I did the other eye.

The downside was that the oil left a film on my eyes, which meant I had to wear my glasses so I didn't get the oil on my contact lenses. I didn't know how long it would take for the film to subside but I knew I didn't want to oil up my lenses. Luckily I didn't have to go anywhere the next day.

Since then, I do it whenever I need to soothe my eyes, when they get red or feel too irritated from my contacts. I always try for a time when I'll be able to wear my glasses for at least 24 hours.

I still have dry eyes but when I use the coconut oil, it is very soothing. I'm not sure if using the oil more often would eventually "cure" me of dry eyes. Maybe if I didn't rely so much on my contact lenses.

Fish OIL make me feel much better by the next day. I took 1200 mg before going to bed that night and 2400 mg (2 cap of 1200 mg) the next morning,so far no dry eyes, Thank you all for the information!

Dry Mouth Dry Eye cures: I use potassium iodide :Lugol's solution for all dryness in the body, vaginal dryness,dry eyes, dry nose,dry mouth.It is excellent as anti septic, anti biotic ati viral etc. 3 drops 1-3% lugol's in juice or water 2x/daily

About five years ago I started having really dry, tired eyes. Around 3:00 every afternoon I would think I was really tired, but then would realize it was just my eyes- my body was fine. I also started to notice if I woke up in the middle of the night that I couldn't open my eyes for a little while because they were stuck shut! And I didn't have any more sleep granules in the corners of my eyes in the morning upon awakening. Then somehow I came upon Fish Oil and started taking it- and it worked very quickly. It was probably only a week or so, and I really noticed the change. Ever since I take one or two 1000 mg fish oils per day, which seems to keep me good. I did try to stop for a while, and sure enough, after a week or so the dryness returned- so I know it works for me.

Oil pulling helped my dry eyes and stopped up nose. I have been doing oil pulling for 6 months now.I usually have a glass of lemon water but no food first thing in the morning. Then I use about a tsp of organic sunflower oil and "pull" for about 15-20 min. Then I brush my teeth and start my day.I used to have very dry eyes especially when wearing my contacts and my nose got stopped up easily depending on what I was eating. Now I don't have trouble with either one of those things. However when I stopped pulling the symptoms reappeared, so I am back to pulling every morning and just know it is a part of my routine. While pulling, I read my email, feed my pets, fix my tea and I'm done. The benefits are great and it becomes a habit when you fit it into your routine. This web site is so great!! Thanks!

I have dry eyes but giving up coffee which quite a few of EC readers recommend would be hard for me! So I cold brew it overnight using dark roast beans which are less acidic than light roast. Cold-brewed coffee is less acidic than regular. I limit coffee to about 4 oz / day because it's so dehydrating. Also, most days I eat a handful of raw pumpkin seeds, which are very alkaline. While I still have some dry eye and dry mouth at night only, a humidifier has helped somewhat.

Since thyroid medication for low thyroid can also cause dryness, especially if you're an elder, and since coffee and most herbs are dehydrating (some herbs more than others), hydrating foods like cucumbers and watermelons can help. When my eyes were at their worst, I put cucumber slices on my closed eyelids for about 20 minutes several times a day and on the first day there was real improvement.

On the second and third day I also ate half a cucumber and continued with the slices. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hot and dry is associated with yang and cold and damp with yin. Not only is apartment air mostly too hot and dry in winter, chemicals in our air and water are very drying. Dry eye is an inflammatory condition with redness, heat and not enough yin fluids. So "strengthening yin" is recommended for convalescing, chronically ill or frail people. Some foods that strengthen yin are cooked string beans and beets, many whole grains, sardines, eggs, seaweed, and certain beans. Eyes are considered skin and in TCM skin conditions are linked to the liver.

Also associated with the liver are irritability and anger-- hot emotions. They resolve when the liver energy is flowing. Liver thrives on movement and dance---even moving in place when cooped up inside! Reading on EC that aloe can cure dry eye makes sense to me from a TCM perspective: aloe is cooling and mercifully soothing for inflammation, burns and severe itching. I don't use liquid aloe b/c all brands preserve it with citric acid, which I can't tolerate. So I keep aloe plants and snip off a small bit of branch when needed. I'm grateful to this plant!

Dear HisJewel,

Well, I will start the ball rolling on this with a couple of ideas.

Long ago, Dave Thompson talked about using baking soda for dry eyes. I have used it a couple of times myself and found it helpful. 1/3 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in a few ounces of water. Dip finger into the baking soda water and wipe over the eyelid. Then drink the water! It helps with the ph balance of the body, which may be part of what helps the dry eyes. Who knows what else it might help?

Someone recently told me that when she consumed a low fat diet her skin was drier, perhaps there is a fat connection to dry eyes? Are you getting quality fats like olive oil and coconut oil? (Not canola or soy oils.)

I like Spry mints. They have xylitol in them which is good for oral health. They might bring relief from the salty mouth and excess saliva, even if they are not a cure.

It is a puzzle and I am glad you are optimistic for the solution. Looking forward to hearing others' ideas.

~Mama to Many~

PS: To those who want to know,

For the Post nasal drip, I am using Swanson Stinging Nettle, that has 250mg leaf Extract and 67.5mg Nettle Root Extract. I have actually been using it about 10 days at least twice a day. I have just broke free two nights ago. This is my second free day, Praise the Lord! I used Member's Mark Coconut oil to oil pull.

Dear HisJewel,

So happy to hear this report! Thanks for taking time to let us know what is helping!

Love,

~Mama to Many~

Maqui Berry supplements worked for me! I have suffered from dry eyes for two years. The condition is worse in my right eye for some reason, and also worse in the middle of the night. I had been waking up and reapplying eye drops and ointments several times each night. I read from another testimonial that Maqui Berry supplements increase tear production, and wow!!! I recommend giving it a try. I'm now seldom need eye drops and don't wake up with gritty eyes.

Try garlic and salt. Just put a slice of garlic in boiling water. When cool, just an ounce, and let it soak for a while then add a tiny pinch of salt to it.

If you have no other way of using it ,put it in a little plastics bottle and bathe the eye in it. After a while it should work.

I was experiencing stinging eye pain and also flashes of jolting pain in my temples and other head areas. I was diagnosed with dry eye and told to purchase a Pharma product for eye lubrication. Instead I used a very small drop of organic unrefined castor oil in each eye inside the bottom lid at night and again in the morning. All symptoms disappeared after the first dose. I continue to use this routine with 100% success.

I had dry eye for years, my MD ran thyroid and hormone test, all normal. I saw 4 different eye doctors did what they suggested, I even got the blue light blocking eyeglasses, to stop eye strain I took drops and tried everything … castor oil, didn't help me. I also stopped gluten and sugar. One day my chiropractor suggested a inversion table for my back so I got one and use it daily for 12 minutes a day. Within one week my dry eye problem disappeared.( inversion tables are NOT recommended for people that have high pressure/glaucoma in their eyes)

Anyhow at that same time I started the inversion table, I had also started adding two to three teaspoons of Lecithin Granules, to my smoothies I noticed that it made the whites of my eyes super white and clear. So, perhaps it is the combination of the two that worked.

I was starting to get dry, red, irriated eyes and the eye doctor told me to stop using a fan. it worked.

All castor oil is not the same. Home Health does not burn my eyes. I tried others and burned badly.Put in a bottle with dropper use at bed time and during the night store larger original bottle in refrigerator. Also use a soft cloth over my eyes when sleeping as my eyes do not close completely when asleep. This helps but must be done daily.

Tried all other remedies listed and they worked better than prescription eye drops but chiro suggested eye drops made from alkaline water and they seem to work best. Every day eyes are getting better.

Please help! I just recovered from a bad case of conjunctivitis for which I used green tea bags. The conjunctivitis disappeared but now I have an extreme case of dry eyes- every morning I am literally having to peel them open. I suspect that the caffeine in the green tea has dehydrated them. I have been using some homeopathic eye drops for dry eyes but these have made no difference, and I have tried aloe (no difference) and flax, coconut oils. I am freaking out that I have caused irreversible damage. I do tend towards dry eyes but this is just unbearable. Any advice would be welcome! Thank you.

I made my own DHEA (Dihydroepiadrosterone) eyedrops. And took the OTC Supplement also. I used 2 bottles of "SYSTANE" Eyedrops to suspend into them 100 mg ground fine Dhea. Refridg'd applied with " clean technique" using each hand on one eye @ a time.

Leave eyes closed for 2 -5 minutes, then take a clean double tipped Qtip DIPPED IN Strile Saline to GENTLY Clean the whitish muck from the corner of each eye. DO THIS CAREFULLY! KEEP THE BOTTLES REFRIDGERATED.

I GOT WELL. I had been ON Restasis, 2 WEEKS. Hated IT! Punctal plugs!? I Refused. Dr a$$ "punished" me for that. I am doing fine, its been years. I am now only intermittently taking Dhea by mouth! I researched and found out about Pekingnese dog trials using "DAKRINA DROPS" I copied the recipe (sorta') ;)

if you read carefully, he is just describing the 8 oz bottle to buy... use 2 drops every night in you eyes and you will get over a 1000 doses in 1 bottle... this is why DRs dont tell you this... they would make NO money!

Dear all, I suffered 3 years from dry eyes and I've tried everything: doctors, fish oil, flaxseed oil. The fish oil and flaxseed oil reduced the dry eyes, but I had to take 4 capsulas daily. I also suffered from puffy eyes with dark circles and somewhere else on this site I found that dark circles could be caused by eating bread (wheat, gluten). It was advised to stop eating wheat. I stopped eating bread and within 1 week my puffy eyes were gone, but also my dry, gritty eyes!

Now, when I exceptionally eat a bread roll, immediately my eyes start to itch and get red, so it is very clear for me that it is caused by eating wheat, because of the gluten. Many people have a gluten intolerance which they don't know.

If you've tried everything, try to stop eating wheat.

Goodluck!

Hi Anonymouscat: Dr. Carolyn Dean (medical doctor, naturopath, acupuncturist, herbalist and much more) wrote an article called, The Eyes Have It. She recommends using castor oil for dry eyes.

http://drcarolyndean.com/2010/09/the-eyes-have-it/

Evidently Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe it. Many over-the-counter, as well as prescription eye medications contain castor oil as well.

In this article, Dr. Dean also tells you how to make your own cayenne remedy for the eyes (improves blood circulation and opens up tear ducts). I haven't been brave enough to try that yet! Hope you find the article interesting. Cheers, Bess

I see that quite a few people have been using castor oil for their dry eyes, but has anyone seen this study (link below) that was done about the effects of various oils on the eyes? It found that castor oil was CYTOTOXIC to conjunctival cells..... I personally have been using organic cold-pressed olive oil for my dry eyes for several years with good results.... I just use an eyedropper to put 12 drops of the olive oil in each eye at bedtime and I can wear my contacts ALL DAY with no problems.... Again, to everyone using castor oil in their eyes, please click on the link below and read...!!

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov