Diseases of the Eyes

Slacks Herbal, 1892

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The Eyes are connected to the Liver in TCM, so many diseases of the Eyes are related to either Liver Heat / Bile Humor (acute), or deficiency of the Liver Yin (chronic).

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Conjunctivitis

Topical:
1. A strong infusion of any of the following herbs can be used as a wash:
Barberry, Camomile, Coriander seed, Eyebright, Fumitory, Licorice, Neem, Turmeric
2. Borax, half teaspoon in half a cup of water used as a wash
Internally:
1. Turmeric, Neem, Madder (equal parts)

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Weakness and Dimness of the Sight

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To Benefit the Sight and Strengthen the Eyes:

1. Fennel seed and Water and Conserve of Eyebright is especially good before and after food.
2. Also a tea of Rue taken with food.
3. Regular purging with Pil. Cochia or Stomach Pills is good (if there is excess Humors)
4. Applying Women breast milk to the eyes is very beneficial
5. Washing the face with fresh, cold water
6. Dropping Almond oil into the ears and nose is also good.
7. Leek juice mixed with Child’s Urine, applied. (Syrian “Book of Medicine“, trans. by Wallis Budge, 1913)
8. Goat Bile mixed with Honey and applied. (Syrian “Book of Medicine“, trans. by Wallis Budge, 1913)
9. ‘To Renew the Sight of Old Men‘: Take Honey and the Bile of Cocks, Eels, Hares and Cormorants. Mix and seal in a glass vessel. Leave in the sun 30 days. Drop into the eyes ‘you shall see a marvellous effect’. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
10. Compound Wines:
i.  Elecampane    4 oz.
  Eyebright   4 handfuls
  Fennel seed, Lovage seed   2 oz. ea.
Bruise, put into a bag and hang in Hydromel (or Wine); drink morning and evening.
ii.  Eyebright   2 handfuls
  Fennel seed    ½ oz.
  Cinnamon  3 drams
Bruise, put into a bag and hang in Rhenish wine.
11. Take Sal Ammoniac, burnt and powdered, and mixed with Child’s Urine. Apply to the eyes and eyelids. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
12. Benzoin   1 oz.
  Honey   ½ oz.
  Fennel Water, Rue Water  2 oz. each
  Marjoram water   1 oz.
Distil. ‘This Water hath made some see that have been quite blind, washing twice or thrice a day with it: (Hartman, 1682)
13. To Restore the Sight:
  Betony
  Rue
  Celandine
  Saxifrage
  Lovage
  Pennyroyal
  Aniseed
  Cinnamon
  Eyebright   1 handful ea.
  Grains of Paradise
  Ginger
  Fennel seed
  Parsley seed
  Hyssop
  Oregano
  Osier (Mountain Willow)   1 dram ea.
  Galangal
  Sugar   1 oz. ea.
Powder and eat every day with food. This was said to have restored sight in one who used spectacles for 12 years yet couldn’t read. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)

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Night-blindness

Simples:
Lycium Gou Qi Zi
Blueberries

1. Betony, Eyebright, Marjoram, Balm, Rue, Elecampane, Orris root, Valerian, Fennel seed; steep in alcohol and distill.

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Red & Inflamed Eyes

Open the Head vein on the opposite side; Cup the shoulders.
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1. Mothers milk mixed with a beaten Egg white.
2. Decoct Linseed, or Fenugreek, or Camomile; use as an eyewash
3. Nightshade juice, mixed with beaten Egg white and Oil of Roses; apply
4. Wormwood juice mixed with beaten Egg white; drop into the Eye
5. Beaten egg white with Oil of Roses; dip cotton in; apply to eyes, temples, forehead
6. Beat Frankincense, Rock Salt 1 dram ea.; mix with womans milk and apply.
7. Confected Chebulic Myrobalan eaten stops redness of the Eyes, and protects sight.
8. Nutmegs confected in honey does the same
9. Broad leaf Plantain water       1 pint
  beaten Verdigris  1 oz.
  Red Earth, Dragons Blood      ½ oz. ea.
  Camphor       2 drams
Distil; this is not only good for Red and Sore Eyes, and swelling of the eyelids, but also for
Bad Breath (as a gargle), and especially all Ulcers of the Genitals.
10. Aloe 3 parts, Camphor 1 part; steep in Rose water and drop it in.
11. Waters of Vervain,
   of Eyebright,
   of Marjoram     ½ oz. ea.
   Fennel water   1 oz.
   Camphor      ½ dram
Mix; use as Eye drops.
12. Barley
   Quince seed
   Camomile   ½ oz. ea.
   Fennel seed  2 drams
Decoct until one-quarter is wasted, then use as an eye wash. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
13. Tutty, heated and quenched
   15 times in Rose water;
     then powder     ½ oz.
     Calamine      2 drams
     Cloves     3 in number
Infuse in Malmsey; shaking often; use the clear water as eye drops.
14. Tutty prepared, Mastic,
   Sarcocolla, Gum Arabic   equal parts
Powder, dissolve in Rose water and use as eye drops. 
15. Hyssop, Marjoram, Fenugreek,
   Camomile, Meliot, Rose   equal parts
Boil and let the vapors go in the eyes.
16. Rose water
  Eyebright water   2 oz. each
  White Troches of Rhasis      1 dram
  Tutty  20 grains
Mix. Let them settle. Wash the eyes with it 3 times daily.

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Eye Pain

1.     Beat an egg white and mix with oil of Roses; apply
2.     Take celandine juice and honey, equal parts; heat together; apply
3.   Plantain, Eyebright, Fennel; Boil and expose the eyes to the vapor.
4.     Prepared Tutty, Camphor beaten, 1 scruple ea.
With 1 oz. of Rose water and 0.5 oz. of White Wine; mix; put a drop into the Eye.
5.   The White Powder of Rhasis is very strong to ease pain.

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Tearing or Watery Eyes

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Cataract

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Eye Trauma, Bruising

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Other

Fistula in the Corner of the Eye
Mumiya (Shilajit)
Red Earth
Juice of Sloes
Frankincense
Mastic 1 part each
Cypress nuts
Galls
Tragacanth 2 parts each
Make a plaster with a little vinegar and Rose water and apply.

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See also

Topical Preparations for the Eye