What Is the Treatment of Dry Eyes in Ayurveda? Natural Remedies & Herbal Tips
Janhavi Bhange
Author
Dry eyes can be more than just an occasional irritation they can cause blurred vision, redness and discomfort that affects daily life. Many people are now turning to holistic approaches to manage this condition. What is the treatment of dry eyes in Ayurveda? is one of the most frequently asked questions.
Table of Contents
Ayurveda is an old system of medicine from India that focusses on bringing the body back into balance. If you have dry eyes, it suggests using a mix of herbal remedies, changes to your diet, changes to your lifestyle and cleaning techniques to help soothe the eyes and get them to make more tears naturally.
What Is Dry Eyes? Understanding the Symptoms
Before exploring Ayurvedic treatments, it’s important to understand what is dry eyes symptoms so you can identify the condition correctly.
Common symptoms include
- Eyes burning or stinging pain
- Itching, redness or blurred vision
- The sensation that there is sand in the eyes
- Photo-phobia and lachrymation (automatic)
These may be caused due to too much time on the screen, pollution, age or even due to poor nutrition.
Why Dry Eyes Occur According to Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, dry eyes are often linked to an imbalance in the Vata dosha, which governs dryness, movement and nerve impulses. Vata imbalance leads to depletion of bodily fluids, including tears, causing ocular dryness.
So, treatment of dry eyes in Ayurveda involves soothing Vata, nourishing the eye tissues and restoring tear balance.
Simple Home Remedies for Dry Eyes
In Ayurveda, simple home remedies for dry eyes are
- Putting clarified butter (cow's ghee) around the eyes to keep them moist and cool.
- Cucumber slices on closed eyelids to reduce irritation and hydrate the eyes.
- Cold rose water compress to relieve inflammation and tiredness.
These remedies are natural, cost-effective and easy to apply at home.
How to Increase Tear Production in Eyes Naturally
Improving tear secretion requires internal nourishment as well as external care. Here’s how you can help your body boost natural lubrication:
- Stay hydrated dehydration often contributes to dryness.
- Massage around the eyes using warm oil in circular motion for 1–2 minutes daily. Wondering how do you massage your eyes to increase tear production? Use your fingertips gently and avoid applying too much pressure.
- Perform blinking exercises every hour if you use screens extensively. This is the best eye exercise for dry eyes to naturally spread moisture across the eye surface.
What Herbs Are Good for Dry Eyes?
Certain Ayurvedic herbs are known to support eye health and tear production, including :
- Triphala : Cleans out the eyes and makes the tissue stronger.
- Punarnava : Lowers swelling and pain.
- Amalaki (Indian gooseberry) : It has a lot of vitamin C and antioxidants.
- Shatavari : Helps lubrication and calms Vata.
You can consume these as supplements, teas or use them in external applications like Triphala eye wash.
How to Do Triphala Eye Wash?
This powerful method for detoxification can help cool down the eyes and stop them from burning. How to do Triphala eye wash correctly is as follows.
- In the morning, soak 1 teaspoon of Triphala powder in a cup of water that has been boiled and then cooled.
- Strain it well in the morning through a muslin cloth.
- Use an eye cup or cotton pad to wipe your eyes with the strained water.
This wash can be done 3–4 times a week and is considered a core part of treatment of dry eyes in Ayurveda.
If dry eye symptoms continue despite home remedies and eye washes, it’s important to consider possible underlying causes like vitamin deficiency, chronic allergies or hormonal changes.
In such cases, consulting an Ayurvedic specialist or ophthalmologist can help pinpoint the root cause and provide personalized advice based on your dosha, lifestyle and health history.
Is Milk Good for Dry Eyes?
Is milk good for dry eyes? is a common question. If you want to nourish your body and fix Vata imbalances, Ayurveda says to drink warm milk with ghee. It keeps the body hydrated and supports healthy tissue, like the eyes.
But don't drink milk if you can't handle lactose or if you have eye problems related to Kapha, like eyes that are sticky or swollen.
What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Dry Eyes?
- Vitamin A : Important for making tears and keeping the surface of the eye healthy overall.
- Vitamin D : Does something to help reduce inflammation and keep the cornea healthy.
- Omega-3 fatty acids : Help lessen irritation and dryness.
Along with vitamins, healthy food for dry eyes includes leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes and nuts.
Foods to Avoid With Dry Eyes
Certain foods may increase Vata or dryness and should be limited.
- Spicy and fried foods
- Caffeinated drinks
- Alcohol
- Excessively salty snacks
If you're serious about Ayurvedic eye care, knowing what to avoid with dry eyes is just as important as knowing what to eat.
Which Healthy Foods for Dry Eyes Help Improve Tear Quality?
Which Fruit Is Best for Dry Eyes?
- Papaya
- Oranges
- Berries
- Grapes
These fruits are rich in antioxidants and hydration-supporting nutrients. So, if you're wondering which fruit is best for dry eyes, aim for vitamin C-rich fruits that protect the tear film and nourish the eye tissue.
Which Vegetable Is Best for Eyes?
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Beetroot
- Broccoli
These are great for reducing inflammation and keeping your eyes moist because they are full of lutein, beta-carotene and antioxidants.
Which Dry Fruit Is Good for Eyes?
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Raisins
These dry fruits provide vitamin E, omega-3s and healthy fats, which are excellent for supporting tear film health and reducing inflammation around the eyes.
Which Oil Is Good for Dry Eyes?
- Castor oil (for external use) : Reduces irritation
- Ghee (clarified butter) : Gently massage around eyes to soothe dryness. (do not apply inside)
- Almond oil : Lightly massage around the eyes to reduce dark circles and dryness
These oils, especially ghee, are frequently recommended in treatment of dry eyes in Ayurveda for their cooling and nourishing properties.
How to Increase Oxygen Flow to Eyes?
- Do Pranayama (breathing exercises) every morning to increase blood and oxygen supply.
- Blink regularly and look at distant objects to relax the eye muscles.
- Avoid rubbing eyes, as it restricts circulation.
Improved oxygen flow to the eyes can support healing and reduce inflammation over time.
Common Questions About Dry Eyes
Which herb is best for dry eyes according to Ayurveda?
Triphala and Punarnava are popular anti-inflammatory to promote natural secretions of tears.
Can warm milk help treat dry eyes?
Yes, particularly when ghee is added. It assists in pacifying the imbalance of Vata internally.
What are the foods to avoid with dry eyes?
Avoid too spicy, too salty, processed and even deep-fried food as they dry up tissues and upset hydration.
Which dry fruit is best for dry eyes?
Almonds or walnuts are very good because of healthy fat and vitamin E.
How many times a week should I do Triphala eye wash?
It is advisable to take it 3 or 4 times a week unless recommended otherwise by an Ayurvedic specialist.
Janhavi Bhange
Health Content Specialist | Bsc Biotechnology
Janhavi Bhange is a health writer with a BSC in Biotechnology and over three years of experience creating accurate, research-backed wellness content. She uses her scientific training to simplify medical topics into clear, trustworthy and reader-friendly guidance that supports confident health decisions.
Dr. Sanjay Dhawan
Eye Specialist
Dr. Sanjay Dhawan has 37+ years of ophthalmology experience, specializing in refractive surgery, pediatric glaucoma, and vitreoretinal procedures. Practicing at Eye Care Delhi and Max Hospital, Gurgaon, he completed his MBBS, DO, and MS in Ophthalmology in New Delhi.
