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
Veronica says
What if you have had a cataract laser surgery and you get pink eye???
Dina-Marie says
Veronica, that is a good question and I don't know - maybe another reader???
tina says
I've been suffering with the pink eye for long period of time I find that eye drops doesn't help very much and I'm bk at the gp within a week at a time. The only tea I drink is herbal tea may I use that to see if it helps it's green tea with lemon. The doctor keeps telling me it's allergy related which will not go away I know he talking silly as I've had allergy all my life and not gotten pink eye cause of it. Please help
Dina-Marie says
Tina, I have tried green tea but black tea works best for us - it is quicker and more effective.
Sravanthi says
I would love to try this next time, simple and easy. I have tried honey and it worked really well. Also there are more remedies which I found useful and want to share.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4P0w5DBftk
Hope this will be useful to others.
Lee says
Great advice, Thanks!
I woke up with conjunctivitis the other morning for the first time since I was a kid, I'm 32 now.
I think it was caused by rubbing my eye with dirty hands at work. It took me about 3 or 4 minutes to open my eye that morning and after reading this post (with my good eye) I reached for the green tea bags as that's the only kind of tea we had at the time.
The symptons were almost gone by the end of the day and woke up the next morning with very little problem.
I didn't bother with the tea after that, but it has since returned today which a day later. I think I should have used it for a few days in a row. Even antibiotics don't work if you only take them for a day.
Right, I'm off to put the kettle on!
jay says
this also works well with a sty. The same process. is done, heat a tea bag and place it on your eye. Usually unless the tea bag is no longer hot. I never knew it worked for pink eye , thanks!
El says
Hi. How do you do it with an infant who wont let you keep the tea bag on his eye? Ty
Dina-Marie says
It is definitely a challenge with a little one! I just cradle them in my arms, talk to them and then make sure that the tea bag is not too hot ( I put it against my own eye first) and hold it on. Sometimes singing helps but just keep talking and eventually they relax because the warmth of the tea bag is so soothing.
El says
Ty. I heard squeezing some drops from the tea into hes eye also works. Did u ever try that?
Dina-Marie says
El, we normally do get some of the tea into the eye.
Trying says
I am going to try this tonight and will report back in the am. Wish me luck or better send prayers
Gina says
OK I will try the black tea bag right now it's been a week now and I could not see a eye doctor its been very uncomfortable feeling this way.I am so glad I ran up on this site thank god I pray that this does help
Dina-Marie says
Gina, I hope it helps! It sure has saved us many trips to the doctor!
Debra Watson says
I developed conjunctivitis after getting eyelash extensions...just woke up the very next morning with blood-shot red eyes. I thought it was an allergic reaction to the eye glue... so I put a few drops of Visine, which helped with the redness. However, the next morning, my eyes, especially, my left eye was glued shut with pus. So I cleaned my eyes... went to the doctor's office, and it was confirmed that I have conjunctivitis. After using the prescribed eyedrops, I felt a little better...but haven't seen a remarkable difference. A friend of mine told me, his mother used Lipton tea bags on his son's eye... and within a day and a half... his conjunctivitis was gone. Me, being skeptical, decided to Google this "home remedy".... and I was pleasantly pleased and surprised to read how well this remedy works. So needless to say, I'm on my way to my kitchen to boil some water, so I could place my black tea bags on both of my eyes. After reading the many positive reviews, I'm confident that I will have positive results. I am so happy and grateful for folks like yourself who will take the time out of their busy schedule to let the public know of great home remedies that works so well. It's like sharing the blessings!! Thank you and God bless!!
Dina-Marie says
Debra, I really appreciate your encouragement and king words - thank you!
Portia Shange says
Please help its been four days and my son has pink eye, been using the treatment but its not getting any better. I have Joko tea, Lipton green tea, Rooibos tea and Lavita green and herbal tea- Im not sure which one is black tea. Which one can i use?
Dina-Marie says
Portia, it will say so on the box if it is black tea. A quick search looks like Joka tea could be black tea but you should check the box. I have found that green tea and herbal tea does not work. If your Joka tea is black tea and it is not helping, I would take your son to the doctor because it may be something else.
Erin C. says
Just wanted you to know that I did try this today because I was desperate. We have had massive flooding going on in Conway, SC due to Hurricane Florence and I got a prescription for Pink Eye antibiotic drops but no pharmacy open to fill it. I did not have black tea but I did have green tea. It has delivered relief from all my symptoms and I am going to continue using it.Thank you so much! This was so helpful and really worked. I was so miserable.
Dina-Marie says
Erin, I am so glad - thanks for letting me know!