Conjunctivitis – home remedy: curd/curd cheese
Some people rely on cold quark compresses for conjunctivitis. This old household remedy has a cooling, decongestant and anti-inflammatory effect. How to make a curd compress:
- Dip a clean cotton cloth (e.g. kitchen towel) in cool water and then wring it out.
- Now spread a finger-thick layer of curd cheese (from the fridge) in the middle of the cloth – on an area large enough to cover the closed eye later.
- Now fold the ends of the cloth together to form a packet.
- Place this curd layer on the closed eye, with the curd side just covered.
- Leave the quark layer on the eye until it is comfortably cold or the quark has dried.
Do not apply the curd directly to the eye. The curd can easily penetrate the eye and make the conjunctivitis even worse. In addition, the curd dries and hardens on the skin and hair (eyebrows, eyelashes) and is then difficult to remove.
Conjunctivitis – home remedies: medicinal plants
Herbal medicine (phytotherapy) knows various medicinal plants that can support the healing process in conjunctivitis. They are applied externally.
Conjunctivitis – home remedy: curd/curd cheese
Some people rely on cold quark compresses for conjunctivitis. This old household remedy has a cooling, decongestant and anti-inflammatory effect. How to make a curd compress:
- Dip a clean cotton cloth (e.g. kitchen towel) in cool water and then wring it out.
- Now spread a finger-thick layer of curd cheese (from the fridge) in the middle of the cloth – on an area large enough to cover the closed eye later.
- Now fold the ends of the cloth together to form a packet.
- Place this curd layer on the closed eye, with the curd side just covered.
- Leave the quark layer on the eye until it is comfortably cold or the quark has dried.
Do not apply the curd directly to the eye. The curd can easily penetrate the eye and make the conjunctivitis even worse. In addition, the curd dries and hardens on the skin and hair (eyebrows, eyelashes) and is then difficult to remove.
Conjunctivitis – home remedies: medicinal plants
Herbal medicine (phytotherapy) knows various medicinal plants that can support the healing process in conjunctivitis. They are applied externally.
Warm or cold infusions of black tea or oak bark are also suitable for eye compresses for conjunctivitis.
Even if it is often recommended by lay people: It is better not to use chamomile tea for compresses on the eye – partly because of the allergy potential of this medicinal plant.
Ready-made preparations
There are now also a number of herbal preparations available for the treatment of inflamed, irritated, strained eyes, for example eyebright eye drops. Homeopathic and anthroposophic preparations are also available, for example based on eyebright, rue (Ruta graveolens) and/or celandine (Chelidonium majus). Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend a suitable preparation for your symptoms and explain exactly how to use it.
The concept of homeopathy and its specific effectiveness are controversial in science and have not been clearly proven by studies.
Conjunctivitis – home remedies: risks and limitations
You should first discuss the use of any home remedy for conjunctivitis with a doctor.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before making and applying compresses & co.
- The cotton cloth you use for pads, compresses or washes should be really clean. Or use sterile gauze instead.
- Herbal infusions for eye washes and compresses must always be freshly prepared.
- Instead of self-collected medicinal plants (e.g. marigolds from the garden), you should use loose medicinal herbs from the pharmacy. These are tested for purity and quality.
Don’t forget that home remedies have their limits: If existing eye complaints worsen or new ones are added, it is essential that you see an ophthalmologist again. Complications may have developed as a result of conjunctivitis. Home remedies are often no longer sufficiently effective and must be supplemented or replaced by conventional medical treatment measures.
