In Tea Bags - A Natural Remedy for Pink Eye, I will teach you another of the natural remedies that really work. And, not only work, but work quickly!
What do you do when your child wakes up with a red crusty eye (sometimes crusted shut) that is scratchy feeling, swollen and watery? Is there a natural remedy for pink eye?
Or worse, your child wakes up with two, red crusty eyes that are scratchy feeling, swollen and watery?
Before I tell you what I do, let's diagnose the problem.
I am sure most of you know from the symptoms, that it is probably pink eye or conjunctivitis. Not only is conjunctivitis uncomfortable but it is also extremely contagious. It can be a nightmare for a mother!
3 Types of Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids - also known as the conjunctiva. There are 3 types of pink eye:
1. Viral - Pink eye that is viral normally affects one eye and then a few days later the second eye becomes affected. The discharge with viral pink eye is usually watery.
2. Bacterial - Pink eye caused by a bacterial infection will affect both eyes at the same time and the discharge is usually yellow-green and thicker.
3. Allergy - Pink eye may also be caused by an allergic reaction.
Since pink eye is so contagious, good hand washing should be practiced, avoid sharing towels and avoid touching the eyes with your hand (which is especially difficult for children)!
What do I do when someone wakes up with pink eye?
When our oldest son was very young, he had pink eye. Being the concerned mother, I took him to the doctor who prescribed an eye ointment.
Later, while relaying to a sister-in-law how difficult the ointment was to apply, she asked if I had tried teabags.
Being skeptical, I dismissed the natural remedy until our next bout with pink eye.
With the next outbreak, not wanting to apply the ointment again, I gave the natural remedy a try.
I am happy to report that I have not been to the doctor because of pink eye since - that was 26 years ago!
I reach for black tea teabags now! The earlier the treatment is started the quicker the results are seen. Black tea also contains caffeine, which makes it helpful for combating undereye circles.
When you're not using black tea for pink eye, it has many health benefits. Here are just a few from The Spruce:
Black tea also contains catechins (the powerful antioxidants in tea that fight cancer-causing cells and help prevent heart disease), tannins (the naturally occurring chemical compounds that give black tea and red wine their astringency), guanine (a natural stimulant) and xanthine (another natural stimulant, similar to caffeine).
The many antioxidants and polyphenols in black tea are associated with a number of health benefits.
Specifically, black tea contains complex flavonoids, which are polyphenols that aid in disease prevention. A single cup of black tea contains an average of 200 mg of flavonoids. (Many doctors now recommend getting 600 mg of flavonoids per day for a range of health benefits.) The flavonoid polyphenols in black tea known as thearubigin and theaflavin act as especially powerful antioxidants.
Interestingly, these two flavonoids are more concentrated in black tea than in green tea.
Additionally, black tea is low in sodium and calories (if you don't add a sweetener!). lus, black tea has a bold flavor, making it a good substitute for those accustomed to soft drinks other unhealthy beverages (which also tend to have bold flavors).
As I mentioned, black tea is abundant in antioxidants, such as flavonoids. These antioxidants have been demonstrated to lower the risk of heart disease. They do this by preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and preventing damage in both the bloodstream and at artery walls. Additionally, black tea flavonoids are able to both improve coronary vasodilation and reduce clots, and its manganese may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by helping cardiac muscle function.
Studies have shown that as few as three cups of tea per day can improve heart health.
Perhaps the most-studied tea health benefit is its anti-cancer benefit. While most of the study has been on green tea, there is a growing body of evidence that black tea also plays a role in cancer prevention.
Black tea is also remarkably tasty. I find that it pairs well with natural sweeteners, lemon, and even fruits and citrus. I know a lot of people don't like green tea because it tastes a little too tea-ish. Black tea is a great choice if you're picky about tea!
A Natural Remedy for Pink Eye
1. Make a cup of tea using a teabag with black tea in it. To find organic tea from my affiliate partner, click here.
2. Allow the teabag to steep a few minutes in the hot water.
3. Remove the teabag from the cup of water but do not squeeze.
4. Allow the teabag to cool so that it is still warm but not so hot that it will burn. Remember, the eye area is sensitive so have the teabag very warm but not hot.
5. Place the teabag on the affected eye and leave for at least 5 min. - I have the child lie down on the sofa with eyes closed and a hand-towel draped around their neck and face so the excess tea does not drip on their clothes or the sofa. If the child tolerates this well, I let them lie with the teabag on the eye (or eyes) for as long as possible - usually 15 - 20 min. Periodically, I will gently squeeze the teabag so the tea puddles on the closed eyelid. It is fine to let the tea get into the eye and it will actually aid in the healing.
6. Repeat 3 - 4 times per day until the eye clears up - usually within 1 day there is remarkable improvement.
The tea helps to clean the goop out of the eyes and also soothes the swelling and irritation by drawing out the infection.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I do not pretend to give medical advice but I do want to share what works for me - I hope it helps you.
Sources: Alternative Medicine, Wikipedia
Photo Credit © Depositphotos.com/nxti74
Mali Korsten says
Awesome, thank for this! My eyes have been itching like crazy due to allergy-related pinkeye, so I will definitely be trying this! Thanks again :)
Mali Korsten says
Okay, just tried this out and it works like bomb! My eye has stopped itching and feels much better. Thank you!
Dina-Marie says
Thanks for taking the time to let me know, Mali! I always love to hear others are helped!
kenzie says
is it okay to use lipton tea bags or does it have to be 100% black tea
Dina-Marie says
Kenzie, I have used lipton tea without any problems. I have also read that some residue of pesticides left in the tea can harm your scobi so I try to use the organic tea from my affiliate, Starwest Botanicals. That said, when I run out of tea from MRH, I use lipton until I get more from MRH ;)
Vivienne says
I get allergy-related red eyes - I'll try the tea-bag remedy next time!
Reuben Smith says
I never thought that tea bags can be good for pink eye. I thank this blog for sharing this one to us. A lot of people will love the idea of using the tea.
Mary says
Raw milk also works very well. If a baby has "goopy" eyes, breast milk works best.
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom says
Sharing on FB right now - thanks!
Chelsea says
Does green tea have the same affect as black tea?
Dina-Marie says
Chelsea, I have heard other use it successfully!
Rhea Ram says
Thank you sooooo much, I just woke up having a slightly swollen, red and goopy eye and my mother advised me to apply apply some ayurvedic honey eye drops into my eye to calm down the pain, swelling and redness. I stupidly agreed. after taking those drops my eye began to swell even more and become more red. I must admit I did cry because today is the 31st and I thought I was going to have to ring in the new year with a terrible red, swollen and painful eye. After trying your remedy my eye is less swollen and painful, yay!!! All I need now is some clear eyesdrops to make my eye look somewhat normal. Thank you!!!!
Dina-Marie says
Rhea, I am so glad you are better - it is amazing how quickly the tea bags relieve the pain and swelling!
Akhila says
Hi, How does Tea actually work to reduce conjunctivitis? Does it just reduce the inflammation and other symptoms or does it cure the problem?
Akhila
Dina-Marie says
Akhila, the tea does actually help pull the infection out and cure the problem, as well as, treating the symptoms!
ra says
Yesterday when my two eyes were NORMAL, my mum gave me the last two teabags - one for each eye. There were no more teabags left and the shops were closed that night (11pm). It was in the summer so I cooled my eyes using my teabags for about 5-10minutes. I had to come out to turn on the fan as I forgot so I had took out my teabags then lost one teabag along the way. I had no choice but to go back to bed with one teabag on one eye and fell fast asleep. The next morning, the one eye that I put the teabag on was fine but strangely, my other eye was a bacterial pinky eye and I did put on herbal teabag for 5+ minutes when that eye was normal before turning on the fan as it was too hot. I understand that teabag was supposed to cure pinky eye but... how did I still got a pinky eye if I didn't use makeup or even touched my eyes in any way and when I know for sure that I'm NOT allergic?
Dina-Marie says
Hi Ra, have you washed your pillowcases and sheets? You could be contaminating yourself through one of these or by inadvertently touching your eye without thinking about it. I hope this helps and you will get better quickly. I have found that black tea bags work much better than herbal ones.
Guadalupe says
I have school the next day and I can't miss it. Do you think this will last for 8 hours with the help of some eye drops?
Dina-Marie says
Guadalupe, my experience has been that it does work in a matter of hours and that even after the first tea bag, relief is given.