20 Home Remedies To Treat Burning Eyes

Burning, irritated eyes can easily ruin your day. Causes can range from unavoidable environmental factors such as pollen to simply wearing your contact lenses for too long. Burning eyes can even be the result of looking at the computer or television for an extended period of time, lack of sleep, or exposure to extreme temperatures. The good news is, there’s no need to run to the doctor! There are plenty of simple home remedies you can use that will have you feeling as good as new.

# Cold Water

The water will help remove dirt and dust from your eyes. Try to use filtered or bottled water, as tap water can contain harmful elements that will only worsen the problem. Fill a clean bowl with water, submerge your face in the bowl, and open eyes. Rotate your eyes in a circular manner to clean the whole eye. Repeat as needed! (Image Source: wikiHow)

# Rose Water

Place a rose water-soaked cotton ball over your eyes. The soothing properties of rose water should give you immediate relief. Rose water contains an abundance of nutrients for healing including flavonoids, antioxidants, citric acid, zinc, fructose, malic acid, tannins, and vitamins A, C, E, D, and B3.

Alternatively, apply drops of rose water in the eyes. Use an eyedropper to apply three drops of rose water to the eyes, then close the eyes for a few minutes. Rose water acts as a cleanser, removing foreign materials, as well as an anti-inflammatory.

# Coriander

Coriander is a phytonutrient dense herb containing flavonoids and phenolic acid compounds, which give it antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Boil freshly dried coriander in water, then strain the mixture and allow it to cool. Wash your eyes with the mixture to relieve burning and reduce pain and swelling.

# Cold Compress

Place a cold compress over the eyes. Soak a cloth in cold water and place it over your eyes for relief from burning eyes or itchy eyes. Repeat several times a day, as needed.

# Attar

Attar is a natural, botanical oil that can be used to soothe, cool, and clear eyes. You can either rinse eyes with attar and water or place two drops of attar into each eye to relieve irritation due to burning eyes.

# Potatoes

Place cold potato slices on your eyes. Leave the slices on your eyes for at least fifteen minutes. Potatoes hold cold well, making them an ideal compress, and their astringent properties reduce inflammation.

# Saline Solution

Use a saline solution. Saline drops will moisten and soothe your eyes. Create your own saline solution by adding one teaspoon of table salt to a quart of distilled water, or purchase an artificial tears solution.

# Carrot Juice

Drink carrot juice. When used long-term, the abundant beta-carotene and lutein in carrot juice will fight infections and strengthen eyes. If possible, drink twice per day. If you do not like to drink carrot juice, you can instead eat carrots either, either in a raw or cooked form.

# Fenugreek

Soak fenugreek seeds for seven to eight hours to make a smooth paste. Apply the paste over the eyelids and leave it on for about twenty minutes. Then wash it off with cold water.

# Dietary Changes

Adjust your diet. In the long term, adjustments to your diet can help prevent burning eyes. Carrots, cauliflower, spinach, raw cabbage, sunflower seeds, squash, and watercress all help maintain healthy eyes. Sugar and white flour should be avoided whenever possible, as they tend to irritate eye problems.

# Apple Cider Vinegar

We’ve all heard the incredible benefits of ingesting apple cider vinegar touted- but its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties can work topically to heal your eyes, too! Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water. Then, soak two cotton balls in the mixture and apply to the eyelids.

# Milk and Honey

Milk has soothing effects and honey has antibacterial properties, making this a great combination. Make your eyewash with equal parts milk and honey, stirring until the honey combines smoothly with the milk. Use an eyedropper and drop three drops into each eye. You can repeat several times per day.

Alternatively, only use the milk to rub cold milk on the eyelids. Soak a cotton ball in cold milk and rub it on the eyelids or place on the eyes as a compress to cool instantly. You can do this up to twice per day.

# Cucumber

Place cold cucumber slices on your eyes. Pretend you’re getting a facial! Again, leave the slices on for at least fifteen minutes. Cucumber’s well-known antioxidants and cooling properties will soothe and reduce irritation.

# Bilberry

Bilberry’s well-known anti-inflammatory properties make it a great herb to use for treatment of burning eyes. Tannins are responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties and anthocyanosides promote circulation in the capillaries, which relieve pain and irritation. Mix with water to make a diluted eyewash.

# Chilled Spoons

Place chilled spoons on your eyes. Chill four metal spoons in a glass of ice water until cold. Then hold a spoon on each eye. When the spoons start to warm, switch them out with the spoons chilling in cold water until you feel relief. The cool temperature constricts blood vessels, decreasing redness and puffiness.

# Drink Water

Drink plenty of water. One reason your eyes might be burning is that they’re dry. Rehydrate your body to rehydrate your eyes!

# Eyebright

Eyebright is the primary eye care herb of choice for most herbalists. Its oils, saponins, resins, and tannins give it its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. For the most benefit, mix water and eyebright together and wash eyes with it.

# Teabags

Place green or black tea bags on your eyes. Make sure the teabags are soaked and cold. The bioflavonoids and tannic acid in the tea will fight infection, reduce inflammation, and soothe itching. Win, win, win!

# Barberry Root

Wash eyes with barberry root. The abundance of alkaloids in this herb make it an herbal COX-2 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties. It also protects eyes from infection. To get the best results, make an eyewash out of barberry root and water.

# Chamomile

Wash eyes with dried chamomile flowers. Boil the flowers in water, strain the water, and let it cool. Then, wash your eyes with the solution to remove dirt from the eyes and reduce inflammation.