|  | Alternative Medicine | Holistic Medicine

Salt for Treating Eye Problems

Salt may be harmful to the body if ingested in large amounts, but used properly it becomes medicine. Used externally, salt is an antiseptic. Salt can dry out wounds, disinfect skin diseases and help reduce swelling. This natural substance was used as far back as 1600 B.C. by the Egyptians and is mentioned in early Greek and Roman medicine, too. It was not until the 19th century when spa treatments incorporated the use of salt as a healing property that the substance was examined scientifically.

  1. Purchase Saline

    • Use an eye cup and a bottled saline product to treat eye problems. Saline is a mix of sodium chloride (salt) and distilled water that is manufactured as a sterile product. Its composition closely resembles natural tears. It removes foreign material from the eye and soothes irritations that might have been caused by chlorinated water and air pollutants. Do not use saline on open wounds (cuts or tears in the flesh) found on or around the eye. Open products can become contaminated. Follow the manufacturer's directions to keep the product safe for use. Never use while wearing contact lenses.

    Try Home Remedies

    • Create a home remedy when eyes itch consistently, sting, feel gritty, are sticky or are red. Boil a half cup of water. Remove the water from the heat once it is boiled and place 1 tsp. of sea salt into the water and allow it to dissolve. Let the mixture cool and become lukewarm. Dip a cotton ball into the salt water and gently swab across the closed eye. Repeat this swabbing process for two hours at 30-minute intervals. Treat eyes that are crusty, swollen or contain sties with this inexpensive remedy. The gentle swiping will loosen and remove debris and begin to dry out the infection. Repeat a second day for best results.

    Treat Sinus Eye Symptoms

    • Use salt when sinus problems are accompanied by red, itchy eyes. This remedy is actually a nose drop that will help clear up the sinus and resolve the eye problem. Nose drops open mucous membranes in the upper respiratory tract. Boil 8 oz. of water. Remove from heat and add 1 tsp. of sea salt and 1 tbsp. of liquid glycerin, which can be found in drug stores. Allow the mixture to cool and become lukewarm. Using a sterile medicine dropper, place 10 drops into each nostril. Apply with the head tilted back to allow the remedy to travel through the whole nasal passage. Repeat several times a day. For immediate help soothing itchy eyes use the home remedy previously mentioned (applying a salt water solution with a cotton ball) to the eyes and use the nose drop remedy in combination.

Holistic Medicine - Related Articles