Summer is Pitta time of year – in Ayurveda, it means the fire element is increasing and possibly aggravated. You might feel it in your mood, your competitiveness might have increased for example, or you might be feeling and acting more aggressive than usual, or you are quicker to anger than usual….all signs that Pitta dosha is aggravated.
Balancing the doshas is key to maintaining health and balance and preventing disease, so if you have noticed Pitta (increase in your fire element) increasing, then it’s time to take action before it overflows into other parts of the body and ends up causing you inflammation.
One of the first places Pitta dosha can accumulate is in the eyes. It’s one of the first signs you get when the fire element is aggravated. The eyes are closely related to the liver, another place the Pitta dosha resides. This is why people with liver disease, also have discoloration and issues with their eyes like in hepatitis.
Let’s look at ways to calm the fire in your eyes, reduce inflammation and infections in the eyes caused by an aggravated Pitta dosha. The eye washing instructions provided below, will help to keep the eyes clean, refreshed, nourished, and free from inflammation – perfect for the aggravated Pitta dosha.
Triphala Powder Eye Wash: (you can order here)
- 16 ounces of spring water or distilled water
- small pinch of triphala powder
Triphala is a wonderful anti-biotic and helps with healing, in particular for Vata/Pitta doshas.
Make a decoction by boiling the pinch of triphala in 2 cups of water (16 ounces) for approximately 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool so that it’s about body temperature (you don’t want it too hot or too cold). Make a fresh batch for each day that you want to wash your eyes out.
Strain the triphala water with a double layered cheesecloth into a clean, sterilized cup . Lay down with your head on a towel and pour ½ of the mixture over one eye, starting from the inner corner of the eye (you can blink several times if you wish), repeat with the other eye.
Use this eye wash for any type of eye problem such as redness, dryness, irritation, fatigue, styes, or for general prevention and rejuvenation.
**Another suggestion for anyone suffering with conjunctivitis or styes is to add a pinch of licorice powder with the triphala powder before you make your decoction as described above. This is a tri-doshic eye wash.
Finally, a wonderful medicated ghee called Vidaryadi Ghritam, can be applied directly on the lash line at night (tiny amount is sufficient), to keep the eyes bright, healthy, and lubricated.
Let me know how you liked the eye wash – I would love to hear about your experience!
Coriander is great for so many things, from seasoning your favorite foods to its medicinal uses. Coriander is used as herbal medicine to reduce blood pressure, regulate blood sugar levels, to protect against macular degeneration, and even to relieve the symptoms of diarrhea. Coriander’s antiseptic properties make it an excellent addition to my list of stye home remedies.