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Pinkeye, Conjunctivitis and Homeopathy

Joette Calabrese, HMC, PHom M

August 28th, 2014  |  59 Comments

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Pink Eye
“One of the greatest threats to public health is the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria … this is due to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics.”

— James M. Steckelberg, M.D., Chair, Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic

 

Conjunctivitis. Pinkeye. Eye infection. Whatever you call it, it means the same thing:  inflammation of the conjunctiva, due to either a bacterial or viral infection or due to allergens or irritants.

So, get to the doctor and get a prescription for an antibiotic, right?

Baloney!  Do it yourself!

Conjunctivitis frequently troubles children, but adults can also be afflicted, and it is very contagious. Yet conjunctivitis is rarely serious. If infection spreads beyond the conjunctiva, there is concern for a deeper pathology. Yet this is an uncommon occurrence.

If viral in nature, no antibiotic will touch it, and it will secrete clear and watery tears, while discharges that are thick, yellow or greenish are usually bacterial. Even without treatment most of these infections resolve within 10 days or so.

A worthwhile way to treat this illness is with the herb eyebright or Euphrasia. If purchased in alcohol as a tincture, it needs to be diluted 1:25. That is one drop of tincture to 25 drops of warm water. This mixture is then dropped by an eyedropper directly into the eye.  If this is not possible, a clean cloth dipped in the solution can be gently placed and squeezed into it.

Homeopathy, however, is the most profound and effective way of treating pinkeye. It will not only abort the present condition but support the system so that the likelihood of it returning will be lessened. If it in fact it does return, it will be of lesser severity. This is the kind of health we’re looking for … robust, resilient and independent of the props of conventional drugs.

When choosing a homeopathic remedy for conjunctivitis, give a dose three to four times in a 12-hour day for as long as three days. As in most homeopathic settings, as soon as there is completion of the illness (it no longer exists) stop administering the remedy.

The first homeopathic remedy to consider is Belladonna 30C. The need for this remedy is determined by the intense redness of the conjunctiva (membrane of the front of the eye and the inner eyelids) including a bloodshot appearance to the whites.

There may be pain that is throbbing in nature, or the eye may be experienced as hot. External environments affect the comfort of the eye, such as too much light, and even loud noises.

Conjunctivitis might also be accompanied by a fever, or it may not. Use Belladonna 30C, when the eye infection comes on quickly, is associated with a high fever (above 105),  and use it as soon as possible.

But remember that the outstanding characteristic for the use of Belldonna is its intensity.

That is concentrated heat, intense pain or vibrant redness. If the case is a mild version, don’t consider this remedy.

Euphrasia officinalis 30C is another homeopathic medicine of great value in pinkeye. It is made from the herb eyebright discussed above but is potentized in the homeopathic method, hence it is more powerful (yet gentle) than the herb in its crude form.

The use of this remedy is most valuable when there is a large quantity of clear flowing watery tears that burn the eye and the surrounding skin. This may in time develop to a greenish or white discharge and be accompanied by the sensation of having a foreign object such as sand embedded in the eye.

Pulsatilla 30C is the homeopathic remedy for pink eye that presents with a great deal of itching. There is often a thick yellowish or greenish discharge that doesn’t excoriate the skin. The person needing this remedy is often a female, but not always. She may be extra clingy, feel worse in a warm room and more comfortable in cool breezes. Cool water applied to the eyes is often soothing and she will crave this. Eruptions may appear around the eyes and on the lids such as pimples, whiteheads and scales. Often this person has little or no thirst.

There are other remedies to consider but I love to make this blog easy for you to use and pass on to others, so I’ll cut straight to the quick.

When an eye infection comes your family’s way, do what I have done and use Hepar sulph 30X,  every 3 hours until improvement, while also dropping Euphrasia tincture (diluted of course 1:25) directly into the eye.

It has worked every time for my family, including for our dog, Buster and cat, Carmelina.

I’ve taught this method to my students and have heard only first-rate reports.

You’ve just learned what pediatricians wish they knew … how to cure without antibiotics.

Now stay home and cure your family and then pass on this blog to your friends.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

I love sharing other’s competent research on my favorite topic … gut health.

In Dr. Mercola’s blog today, he recounts the importance of good gut health.  He tells us that we need to treat our gut like royalty. You might want to check out his take, which is, that diet is everything.

I agree, and I also promote Dr. Weston A Price’s values and teachings, but my message is slightly different. It’s that diet is not enough. Particularly when damage has been already done via antibiotics, steroids and other drugs, some are left with a frustrating, never-ending cycle of trying to figure out what needs to be eaten (and not eaten).

I am joined by the likes of Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride, founder of the GAPS diet, when I say that once a gut has been made chronically ill, diet needs to be adjusted, but then homeopathy ought to be employed to finish the job.

Should this subject be of interest to you, go to Good Gut Bad Gut – A Homeopathic Strategy to Uproot Seemingly Unrelated Illnesses in Body and Mind and learn how to reverse gut-related illness.

 

I am a homeopath with a worldwide practice working with families and individuals via Zoom. I'm also a teacher and most importantly, a mom who raised my now-adult children depending on homeopathy over the last 31 years. I lived decades of my life with food intolerances, allergies, and chemical sensitivities until I was cured with homeopathy, so I understand pain, anxiety, and suffering. You may feel that your issues are more severe or different than anyone else’s, but I have seen it all in my practice and in my work in India. My opinion is that nothing has come close to the reproducible, safe and effective results that my clients, students and I have achieved with homeopathy.

Call today and learn how homeopathy might just be the missing piece in your health strategy.


Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. Joette believes that the advice and diagnosis of a physician is often in order.


We've provided links for your convenience but we do not receive any remuneration nor affiliation in payment from your purchase.


The Author disclaims all liability for any loss or risk, personal or otherwise incurred as a consequence of use of any material in this article. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.



 

59 thoughts on “Pinkeye, Conjunctivitis and Homeopathy”

  1. Florence says:

    What about for a stye? Would the same remedies be appropriate?
    Thanks!

    1. Sarah says:

      Hepar sulph 200 every 3-4 hours always knocks mine out!

  2. Anke says:

    Great advice! Love using homeopathy above all esle, have treated conjunctivitis (lots of yellow sticky stuff) with Merc Sol previously, which worked a treat too.

    1. Manvinder says:

      Yes Merc sol works very well for conjunctivitis

  3. Tarun R Sarkar says:

    What about Rhus T for Conjunctivitis ? Thanks

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      Yes, RT will work too, depending on the symptoms. I could have given a lot more choices here, but decided to simplify with only a few. Thanks for bringing it up as it helps demonstrate that there are more choices than what I mentioned.

  4. Teresa says:

    Would you be able to speak to the concern about belladonna and seizures? I, successfully, used it to fend off mastitis and, later, saw that a teething remedy with belladonna as a main ingredient was pulled from the market because of a connection to seizures in children. Ever since I have been a little nervous about homeopathy, but not enough to send me to antibiotics!!!

    Thank you!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      I’m happy you brought this up. The explanation is rather long, so i’ll write on the subject in a forthcoming blog. Thanks for the idea.

      1. Teresa says:

        Thank you!!! I really want to use homeopathy, that just worried me (did I use something while breastfeeding that might hurt my newborn). With my first child I used antibiotics to cure mastitis, but refused this time because I knew better. I didn’t want to destroy the gut I had painstakingly rebuilt and didn’t want my daughter”s gut destroyed by antibiotics so early in life. It was painful, but worth it. My son had conjunctivitis recently and we saw great improvement by putting breatmilk in his eyes.

  5. Dear Madam,

    I want to join your community. I am professionally a teacher working in education department of Jammu and Kashmir government (India). I have also got postgraduate diploma in Homoeopathy.I have been taking homoeopathic medicines for the last 16 years my family has completely replaced allopathy.I do not practice homoeopathy professionally,I just give medicine to people on charity,as I think it is great social work to save people from the toxin effects of allopathic medicines.

    reply please

    Aman.ullah khan

    Mobile NO: 9469829446

  6. Dear Madam,

    I am ready to join your community, I am not professional homoeopath, I am professionally a teacher working in department of education Jammu and Kashmir government (India). I practice homoeopathy on charity giving free medicines to my friends collegues, and poor people as it is great social work to save the society from toxin effects of allopathic medicines.would you come Kashmir valley to practice homoeopathy here I shall provide you lodging facility.

    your well wisher

    Aman.ullah khan

    M.A. English, M.A philosophy, M.Ed.
    Diploma Homoeopathy
    Resident of Srinagar Kashmir (India)

  7. Tarun R Sarkar says:

    Artimisia works like magic in case of red eye from injury. It is my experience. can you elaborate further?
    Thanks

  8. Min says:

    Thanks for this helpful post. I am in my late 60s and twice in the last year I have had conjunctivitis. The first time was in a situation of great stress. I just kept cleaning the green discharge from my eye with cool water. The second time was this summer, when my eye probably got irritated because I kept rubbing it and then slept in air conditioning. The irritation was milder and ended in about three days.

  9. Malissia says:

    Hi Joette,
    My eye looks just like the pic above… only I do not have conjunctivitis. My eye has look this way the last year off and on. Some days better some days not so much. My last doctors visit a year ago the doc said it was due to dry eye and to go buy some OTC eye drops. Well after reading the list of chemicals in the drops I decided to suffer. Would any of the remedies listed work for dry eye with this look? Thanks, also are you still offer a complimentary consult?

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      Dry eyes requires a different protocol because its not an infection like conjunctivitis . You may certainly call my office to schedule a 15 minute conversation with me to see if working with me is a fit for you, but I don’t take cases during that time.

  10. Becca says:

    What if I have the Euphrasia in pellet form? Could I make my own tincture to use as eye drops? If so, how?

    Thanks, I’m very excited to have something for my daughters reoccurring eye infections!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      You can’t go backwards in the process from pellet to mother tincture. Either use Euphrasia as homeopathic pellets and take it orally, or purchase it in mother tincture.

      1. Becca says:

        Thank you so much for your response Joette! So would you say this is a good form of eye bright to use:

        http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Answer-Alcohol-Free-Eyebright-1-Fluid/dp/B000ACPZHG

        If so, would it still need to be diluted even though it doesn’t have alcohol before putting it directly in the eyes?

        1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

          My favorite herbal tincture companies are Herbpharm and Gaia. I’m just not familiar with that brand.

          1. Lisa Doran says:

            Ah! Thanks for that! There are so many options out there and you want to pick a “good” one since it is entering the eye!

      2. Susan Smith says:

        I need to clarify… I’ve been diluting Euphrasia pellets in water to apply topically to a cavy’s pink eye. I’ve also been doing the same with Hep Sulph to treat the runny nose, only dropping in his mouth. I thought that crushing or dissolving the pellets in water was acceptable. Did I miss something?l

        1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

          Pellets are generally for oral use whether directly in the mouth or dissolved in water. Euphrasia can also be found in mother tincture in which a few drops are diluted in water and applied to the eyes.

  11. Keri says:

    My husband’s eyelid’s are a little swollen but he thinks it could be pink eye because someone at work has it, (and it is highly contagious). What remedy would work best for him. (No puss yet, it looks more like allergies in one eye. The swelling gradually got worse over the past few days, and finally looks pink in the eye today). Thanks!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      I’m sorry, but I can’t offer remedy choices specific to your case. But if you read each remedy picture thoroughly, you’ll likely come up with the answer.

  12. Maryam Jesiat says:

    Hi there, first of all thank you for sharing such valuable information to all.
    I appreciate if you guide me further with your suggestion on Hepar Sulf 30 x and Euphrasia tincture. This protocol i would be using it for my 20 days old baby girl. She was born with her little eyes badly inflamed and witj conjuntivitis for which I have used some homeopathic remedies and antibiotics (eye drops) given by a homeopath but she still continues to have her little eyes with the Yellowish and sticky secretion which I constantly clean. I have found some euphrasia eyedrops, the tincture they wont sell it to me without prescription. Using the colirio or eyedrops would it work the same? Should I dilute as well just as your specified for the tincture? How many drops in each eye and how many times a day?
    I thank you beforehand for your help iis urgent and really dont want more antibiotics for my baby and i want her little eyes to cure.

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the help you can provide me through this blog, i would certainly book an appointment if I could afford it, you are great and follow your advice for everything that has come my way the last couple of years and it has always worked, this is why i am never hesitant to read your information and follow close.

    Many thanks and best wishes.

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      Without knowing what is in the eyedrops it would be difficult to say how to use them. However, I urge you to read the ingredients, look each one up on line to make sure they are safe to use directly in the eyes. You might also contact the manufacturing pharmacy and ask if the product can be used on infants and what the dosage would be.

  13. Maryam Jesiat says:

    Many thanks Ms Joette. I haven’t been able to find out the information yet but wanted to ask you, if i were to find the euphrasia tincture how would I use it on my baby girl? How many times a day, do I give her the hepar sulf as well? She has been taking pulsatilla which her homeopath told me to stop as she continues to have her eyes ill.
    Not intending to abuse your kindness just forgot to ask this on my previous message. Would appreciate the directions to follow your remedies advice.

    Once again many thanks and beat wishes

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      When using a tincture made in alcohol, the method is usually to dilute 1:20. That is, its diluted one drop of tincture to 19 drops of pure water. That mixture is what is used as the medicine and usually a few drops of this is put directly into the eye. Having said this, however, I’d be most comfortable knowing that you got directions from the manufacturer from whom you purchase it to be certain.

  14. Barbara Harrington says:

    In addition to the protocols listed, there are a large line of homeopathic eye drops widely available from Similasan. Several of them use homeopathic Euphrasia. Look at the ingredients. I have found the, very helpful.

  15. Kim Bakker says:

    Hello Joette, I am not sure what to do with a “chalazia” (cyst on the inner eye lid-lower and upper) I have had it for about a half a year and find that there is a slight pressure on the eye. I don’t think that I would classify this as a sty or conjunctivitis, so the remedies are general for those things but not specific enough for a Chalazia. BTW I had plantar Fasciitis and your remedy ( after years of struggle and various therapies, took care of it within 2 weeks…thank you so much

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      I have written about cysts only in my course, “Skin; The Ugly Truth” but plan to write about it here sometime in the future.

  16. Kimberly Gapster says:

    Can Hepar Sulf 30C be used, if one does not have 30X? Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      Yes.

  17. betsyaida says:

    I have a question about Euphrasia tincture diluted with distilled water 1:20. How often should this tincture be made fresh? Every day or once a week? Thank you Joette.

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      Depending on the heat of the house, whether they’re kept in a refrigerator, etc. perhaps e. few days.

  18. Josie says:

    I am currently breastfeeding my 4 month old and started Pullsatilla 30c four times a day for conjunctivitis. Unfortunately, before I ever felt any eye relief my milk began to dry up. I did some digging and discovered it was the Pullsatilla; also to be used for weaning. I will keep this remedy in my back pocket for later days. Just a heads up for other Moms out there.
    I am currently just using Eyebright drops. Wish there was another remedy to pair with it. Any other suggestions?

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      The other suggestions are found in this article.

  19. thesavygal says:

    Hi Joette, Our 9 yr old dog was playing with our 6 month old cat, and the cat scratched poor mochas eye very badly. We took her to the vet and under the light we could see the scratch.. they gave us antibiotic and inflammation pills but its been 3 and 1/2 weeks and no better.. the lower lid still looks very inflamed and she keeps her eye closed off and on.. I want to use the hep sulph 30 for possible infection, and Euphrasia tincture diluted for her eye, but will these heal the scratch or should i include something else? The dr has mentioned surgery so trying to avoid this if possible. Thanks

  20. thesavygal says:

    I bought the euphrasia in liquid, it is mixed already with distilled water so i would not dilute this right? just put direct drops in the eye? or would i dilute this also?

  21. Shakhnoza says:

    Does Hepar sulph work for keratitis?

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      It’s not a specific protocol used for keratitis, but it is likely to act.

  22. Rachel says:

    I know that remedies in pill form last indefinitely… does the same go for mother tinctures like the one you recommend above?

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      I don’t know that I’d say they’ll last indefinitely but I’ve seen them act for years.

      1. Rachel says:

        Thank you Mrs. Calabrese for kindly replying to my question!

  23. Angela says:

    Did you use hepar sulph based on the symptoms your family presented or is this a protocol? I

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      I used the symptoms to determine the remedy choice.

  24. Angela Ware says:

    I too have a chalazeon on my eyelid and have taken medicines and drops from the Dr, much to my dismay, but it didn’t work. Now he is sending me to a specialist which will want to remove them. I’m totally a believer in homeopathy but don’t know how to fight this. I’ve read on the Borion app that staphysagria is good for that. I’m about to try it and see what happens but would much rather have your take on these stubborn eye bumps. Thanks in advance for any advice!!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      I don’t give personal advice on this forum, but for what it’s worth, I personally know the Boiron people and trust their take on take-this-for-that.

  25. Diana says:

    Are these remedies safe to take during pregnancy?

  26. Faye says:

    I’m about to take your Gateway 1 course, but for now I’m just shooting in the dark with homeopathy. Trying to help my son with conjunctivitis. I tried both pulsatilla and hepar per what I read on your blog, and while it cleared up for a couple of days, it has now come back. Can you refer me to any posts you’ve made about starting and stopping dosing and if a symptom returns after clearning? Thanks in advance!

  27. Faye says:

    I’m about to take your Gateway 1 course, but for now I’m just shooting in the dark with homeopathy. Trying to help my son with conjunctivitis. I tried both pulsatilla and hepar, per what I read on your blog, and while it cleared up for a couple of days, it has now come back. Can you refer me to any posts you’ve made about starting and stopping dosing and if a symptom returns after clearning? Thanks in advance!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      When a medicine acts, stay with it. This means to look to the one that made the difference and take it up again.

  28. Lyss says:

    Do you have any protocols for chalazion (a bump on the upper eyelid that’s lasted for weeks)? Seemingly no pain or irritation.

    1. Angela says:

      Oh how I wish Joette would write on this subject! I have been suffering with this for years and it’s so embarrassing. Thankfully it’s usually not painful but mine is reoccurring unfortunately. It just gets huge on my eyelid and lasts for months. I fight it with Hepar Sulph 200 and staphysagria 30. It seems to help some but I would love to know how to abort it when it starts!

  29. Ann says:

    Joette,what would be your recommendation for pinguecula?I have been using Boiron and Similasan eye drops for dry eyes so far,but they’re not helping with my pinguecula.Any remedies or eye drops?

  30. Cynthia says:

    Would you have a suggestion for a dog with cherry eye please? Thanks in advance.

  31. Leah says:

    Joette, I discovered you a few years ago,and since then I’ve found you to be an INVALUABLE resource! I’ve been slowly learning, and using homeopathy more and more to care for my family. Now you are my go-to source for info on how to treat all of those in my sphere. Often I suggest your site to those who ask me how to deal with health issues they’re facing, as well. My once drug-happy mother in law now calls me Dr Leah and asks what I recommend. Haha! Your site is a literal treasure trove! THANK YOU a million times for sharing your knowledge with me!

  32. Katy says:

    So if I have the eyebright alcohol tincture (supplement) from OHM, I can dilute that with water 1:25 and use in the eye? The directions on the back only say to take orally. But it seems it would be much more effective if able to use in the eye. Thanks.

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, PHom M says:

      It’s not necessarily more effective to use a tincture directly on the site but tinctures can often be used by diluting them 1:20 or so.

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