Herbs For Kids - Aviva Romm

27
Herbal Treatments
A very simply and effective treatment for conjunctivitis can be prepared easily at home:
Chamomile, Eyebright, and Goldenseal Wash
In a teacup steep 1 tsp each of chamomile and eyebright
herbs, adding ¼ teaspoon of goldenseal powder if the eye
discharge is thick and yellow or greenish. Let the herbs
steep for 15 minutes then strain very thoroughly.
Soak a cotton ball in the tea. To apply to the eyes, tilt the
child’s head back or have her lie on your lap and squeeze a
few drops into the inner corner of the affected eye. Let the
liquid run outward toward the ear rather than toward the
other eye to prevent the infection from contaminating the
other eye. The excess liquid can be patted dry with tissue
paper, gauze, or a cloth (use a clean piece each time). Do
not place anything that has touched the eyes back into your
remedy and discard the cotton balls after each use. Repeat
4 times daily. When applying, protect clothing and furniture
from the goldenseal which leaves a yellow stain.
Conjunctivitis symptoms usually start to improve within about 24 hours of treatment, but because
reinfection is so high, continue to treat twice daily for one week after symptoms have resolved.
When to See Your Doctor
Pink eye is rarely serious. Call your child’s doctor if:
• There is no improvement in symptoms after several days of treatment
• Symptoms get worse, for example, the eye drainage gets worse even with treatment
• Your child has swelling around the eyes or pain with eye movement
• Your child has a new onset of vision problems
Eyebright