Have you heard of eye detoxification before? While body cleansing is a well-known concept to release toxins from your body, eye detoxification is a lesser-known process. There are numerous Ayurvedic therapies for the eyes that aim to cleanse, nourish, and rejuvenate, addressing issues like eye strain, dryness, and vision problems. Keeping in mind the increasing eye-related problems in people of all age groups, eye detoxifications become a significant part of eye care regime. To understand about effective Ayurvedic therapies for eye care, we reached out to Dr Reji Raj, General Manager and Senior Ayurveda physician, Amal Tamara who shared 5 Ayurveda-approved ways to detoxify eyes.
Netra Tarpana
“This is one of the ancient ayurvedic therapies for eyes. In this treatment, medicated ghee or oil is retained over the eyes for a specific period under the supervision of experts,” explains Dr Reji.
Process:
- A dough ring made from black gram is placed around the eyes to form a dam.
- Medicated ghee or oil is gently poured into the ring, covering the eyes.
- The ghee is retained for 15-30 minutes while the patient occasionally blinks.
- After the treatment, the ghee or oil is drained, and the eyes are cleaned with warm water or a decoction.
Benefits:
- Provides nourishment and lubrication to the eyes.
- Relieves strain and fatigue from prolonged screen exposure.
- Improves vision and reduces dryness, itching, and conjunctivitis.
Anjana (Collyrium Therapy)
This therapy involves applying herbal pastes or powders to the lower eyelids to cleanse and detoxify the eyes.
Process:
- A fine paste or powder made from herbs like triphala, honey, rose water, and souveera is applied to the lower eyelid using an Anjana stick or fingertips.
- The patient is advised to close their eyes for rest.
Benefits:
- Removes impurities and toxins from the eyes.
- Provides a cooling and soothing effect.
- Improves vision and treats eye disorders.
Aschotana (Eye Drops)
Putting eye drops is one of the easiest ways for us as we juggle through our erratic schedules. “Aschotana is the first line of Ayurvedic treatments for eye care. In this treatment, medicated eye drops prepared from herbal extracts are administered to keep the eyes hydrated and prevent dryness,” explains Dr Reji.
Process:
- A few drops of medicated oil or liquid are instilled into the eyes.
- This can be performed daily or as recommended by an Ayurvedic practitioner.
Benefits:
- Cleanses the eyes and helps remove dust and allergens.
- Relieves itching, irritation, infection, and redness.
Eye Wash
Washing your eyes with water isn’t enough to eliminate dirt, dust and toxins. An Ayurvedic eye wash is typically done with a triphala decoction (amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki) using an eye cup or by gently splashing it on the eyes.
Benefits:
- Cleanses the eyes and removes toxins.
- Provides a cooling and soothing effect.
- Improves vision and reduces eye strain.
Eye Exercises
Exercising your eyes is also crucial for their good health. According to Dr Reji “Specific movements like vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and circular movements of the eyes are practised. Trataka, gazing at a flame kept three feet away, can also be practised.”
Benefits:
- Improves focus and concentration.
- Strengthens eye muscles and improves vision.
- Calms the mind and reduces stress.
If you want to improve your eye health and prevent potential eye problems, you must practise these ways to detoxify your eyes. However, you must practise these under expert supervision only for best results and safety.