20 Effective Natural Remedies to Cure Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

Conjunctivitis or Pinkeye is a viral or bacterial infection in eyes, which occurs to the outermost layer of the eye. It is highly infectious and spreads easily through allergic substances, such as pollen. Pink eye leads to redness and itching in the eyes.

So let’s get some more detail about pink eye. It can be allergic (from an allergic reaction), viral (caused by a virus) or bacterial (from bacteria getting into the eye).

Allergic pinkeye causes excessive watering, redness, swelling and itching in the eyes. You might also notice your nose being sneezing, stuffy or itchy.

Bacterial pinkeye is characterized by a crusty and yellowish green discharge of the eyes after sleeping. Bacterial symptoms are also similar and include pain, swelling, and itching in eyes.

Viral pinkeye generally affects only one eye (though it can spread to both).  It is accompanied by a watery discharge. Symptoms include swelling, itching, and painful eyes.

Viral pinkeye and the bacterial pink eye is highly contagious. Pinkeye that is caused by allergens is not contagious. Well, it is difficult to determine which type of infection you have so precautions should be taken to avoid spreading the infection to others.

Causes of Pinkeye

• Allergic substances, such as pollen
• Weak immune system
• Physical contact with a person suffering from pink eyes, like a handshake.
• Certain viruses or bacteria

Symptoms of Pinkeye

• Watery eyes
• Itchiness
• Redness
• Constant pain
• Swelling in the eyes
• Formation of crust near infected eye
• Intolerance to bright light
• White discharge from eyes

Well, pink gets healed up by itself but there are few home remedies you can follow to get relief from pink eye soon.

Home Remedies for Pinkeye

1. Honey

Honey possess excellent anti-bacterial properties and helps to cure the infection quickly.

Boil 2 cups of water and add 3 tablespoon honey to it. Mix well. Let it cool down, then, pour few drops of this solution in your affected eye. Else, you can wash your eyes with this solution at least 2-3 times a day. Or, soak a cotton pad and put it on your eyes. Alternatively, you can use warm milk in place of water.

2. Potato

take a raw potato and cut few slices. Place the slice on the infected eye for at least 20 minutes. Potato works as a natural astringent and aids to cure pink eye at home. Repeat this process for about 3 days for good results.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is an excellent antibiotic, and therefore aids to reduce the symptoms of pink eye. Take a cup of boiled water and mix 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder in it. Dip a cotton ball or soft cloth and use as a compress on the pink eye. Check out these 25 Powerful Health Benefits of Turmeric!

4. Fennel seeds

washing eyes with a solution of fennel seeds help you cure pink eye. Take some fennel seeds and boil them in water. Wash your eyes with this solution 2-3 times a day.

5. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera possesses effective antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties which make it a great home remedy for pink eye. Soak a cotton ball or a part of the clean handkerchief in fresh aloe gel. Place it on the infected eye.

6. Baking soda

Baking soda gives a soothing effect to eyes. So it is also good to apply when you have pink eye. Take 1 cup of water and mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in it. Use this solution as an eye wash.

7. Warm or cold compress

Apply a warm compress, if you are suffering from a viral or bacterial pink eye. Warm compress reduces swelling, caused due to pink eye. Apply cold compress, if you have pink eye caused due to an allergy. If you are applying a warm compress, use a separate cloth for both the eyes, as warm compress increases the risk of spreading the infection from one eye to the other.

8. Marigold

Marigold extract can be used as a compress on the pink eye to reduce the inflammation and infection in the eye.

9. Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the most effective home remedies to treat pink eye fast. Add 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flower in 1 cup of boiling water. Let it cool down. Strain. Use this solution as an eye wash.

10. Barberry

Barberry is a good anti-bacterial agent, thus, helps in curing the pink eye. Boil a cup of water and add some powdered barberry in it. Use it as an eyewash.

11. Yogurt

Take some live cultured yogurt. Apply it as a poultice on the infected eye. This helps in eliminating the inflammation and redness, caused due to a pink eye.

12. Boric acid

Take ¼ cup of boiling water and dilute a tablespoon of boric acid in it. Use it as an eyewash to treat the infection. Else, you can also apply it as a compress over the infected eye. Repeat this remedy at least thrice a week to get the best results.

13. Castor oil

Castor oil is good to reduce the irritation in eyes caused by pink eye. Put castor oil drops in the infected eye at least 3 times a day in order to cure a pink eye.

14. Cold bread

Place cold bread over your infected eye. It effectively provides relief from the itchiness and inflammation, caused by pinkeye infection.

15. Charcoal dust

Take a cup of water and mix 1 teaspoon of charcoal dust and ¼ teaspoon of sea salt in it. Boil this mixture, strain when it cools down. Put 4-5 drops of this solution in the infected eye. This is a proven remedy to cure pink eye.

16. Coriander

Coriander reduces the swelling and pain, caused due to conjunctivitis. Take a cup of water and add some dried coriander leaves in it. Boil it for 10 minutes. Let it Cool and then strain it. Use it as an eyewash or a compress.

17. Apple cider vinegar

ACV is one extremely intense bacterial, viral and contagious executioner. Take a cup of water and add 1 tablespoon of ACV in it. Soak a cotton ball in it and apply on the infected eye. Discover 30 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar!

18. Calendula

Boil a cup of water and add 2 tablespoons of calendula flower to it. Use this solution to wash your eyes or you can also use it as a warm compress.

19. Indian gooseberry

Mix 2 teaspoon of honey in a cup of amla juice. Drink this at least twice a day, to get relief from pink eye.

20. Lemon juice

Take half lemon. Dilute some lemon juice in water. Apply it with a clean cotton ball on the eyelid of the infected eye. This will help fight the infection responsible for causing pink eye.

Tips to remember                 

• Use a tissue to wipe the eyes instead of touching them with the hands.
• Wash hands regularly with an antiseptic hand wash to avoid the spread of infection.
• Do not use towels or handkerchiefs of an infected person or keep your personal things away if you have an infection.
• Keep changing the pillow-covers more often.
• Sip on vegetable juices. Drink carrot and spinach juice to heal your pink eye.
• Stop using lenses while suffering from the infection.
• Stop using eye cosmetics.
• Also, avoid sharing your eye cosmetics if you have a pink eye.