Eye See You
Our eyes are our window to the world and they speak directly to the soul and other sensory organs of the body, sending important messages at all times. Ayurveda reminds us that caring for these important sensory organs, along with the others, is one of the crucial and simple ways to stay in a space of health; body, mind and soul.
I find that people with particularly sensitive eyes or symptoms often find themselves in a bit of misery during the spring time. Allergies and dryness are ever increasing. Not to mention, most of us are suffering from eye strain due to increased time in front of screens.
Caring for the eyes on a daily basis can have a great impact on the long term health of the eyes, can help maintain vision, can prevent macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts, and can help ones mind stay soft and kind. Interestingly, pitta dosha is closely related to the eyes and so often people experiencing eye strain or irritation might also be experiencing emotional or physical disturbances of pitta dosha.
As we enjoy the new blossoms of spring and prepare for the warmth of summer, eye health is more important than ever. Here are a few simple ways to treat the eyes:
Daily Eye Rinse: Beginning your day with a rinse is a powerful and kind way to open yourself up to the new day. It alleviates the eyes of particles and allows the process of seeing clearly. An eye cup with a bit of rose water, filtered water with a pinch of triphala, or plain warm filtered water is so lovely. You might notice that you wake up with crusty eyes when beginning this practice, which is simply evidence that it is working and that you are removing particles and ama that don’t need to be there. A fantastic eye rinse can be found in Om Maitri’s Dinacharya Kit (eye cup included).
Ghee as Eye Moisturizer: Rubbing a dab of Ayurveda’s magical elixer, ghee, on the eyes before bedtime helps moisturize the eyes and the surrounding skin. This helps heal and prevent wrinkles, soothes dry, sore or irritated eyes, and helps to calm the mind for a more productive night’s sleep.
Incorporate Foods Into Your Diet that Support Eye Health: Carrots, leafy greens, cucumbers, amla, coconut, raisins, grapes and other sweet fruits, almonds, walnuts, ghee, and honey are all excellent for supporting eye health and avoiding irritation and redness.
Netra Basti Ayurvedic Healing Session: Netra, meaning eye, and basti meaning vessel. This incredible Ayurvedic Body Healing Session is a deeply healing and rejuvenative experience and one that has powerful and lasting results. A vessel made of chickpea flour and water is placed over the eye and then a warm medicated oil (ghee) is poured lovingly and gently into the vessel. This vessel holds the ghee on the eye for an extended time. This practice is known for its revitalizing quality and for soothing pitta dosha, which is often impacted by poor eye health. In the moment, this treatment is gentle and kind; soothing dryness and irritation and easing strain to the eyes while allowing for a deep relaxation. In the long run, it also improves vision and soothes the mind. It is excellent for persons experiencing high stress, self criticism, feeling judgemental, and anger. Book your session here!
