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Eyestrain – Eye Health © Victoria Bowmann, PhD The benefits of aging are the years we get to enjoy living, however the disadvantage is whether or not we wear out and start loosing quality of life. This is particularly true of our eyesight. When asked if one would rather lose sight or hearing, most people will forego hearing as sight has a richer contribution to life. My suggestions are to add things to our lifestyle so that we can perhaps keep all of our senses sharp. There are three things that I find easy to do and add value to protecting my eyes. While it takes a few minutes a day, for me it’s worth it, and the cost is minimal. The first is using castor oil either in my eyes at bedtime, or on the skin of the eyelids and upper face. This is an Edgar Cayce remedy from many decades ago. In one of his readings he mentioned that castor oil in the eyes could decrease beginning stage cataracts. So I thought if I did it now, maybe I wouldn’t even get them later. Here’s Edgar Cayce’s directions: When one uses a drop in the eye, it needs to be from a clean bottle. Purchase Hexane-free castor oil and put it into a clear eyedropper bottle; the only purpose is to use this for the eyes, so there is no possibility of contamination. Lie down in bed and place one drop in each eye. It will be filmy so it’s best to have all of our nighttime routines completed and be ready to sleep. The oil can stain your pillowcase so you might place a soft hand towel under you head or gently wipe the excess oil away. By morning the filminess is gone and your eyes are treated. Personally, I use this to remove eye makeup by rubbing it gently around the eyes and using a tissue to remove the makeup and excess oil. The second tool I use is based on Dr William Bates, an opthamologist in New York in the 1930s. He developed eye exercises to strengthen all the muscles of the eyes and reduce strain to the muscles people tended to overuse. While much is written about this method, I found one particular exercise to be excellent for eyestrain. Place the palm of each hand over the corresponding eye socket with the fingertips on the forehead. It is easiest to have the hands diagonal with the fingertips over each other in the middle of the forehead. One opens the eyes and looks into the palm of each hand – trying to have no light visible. So tighten the fingers and snug up to the socket for best results. I prop my elbows on my desk or table and do this for 5 to 15 minutes, several times a day. My eyes are very rested after this exercise, and interestingly enough, my vision is better too. The last suggestion is the consumption of colorful foods, particularly fruits and vegetables. They contain the anti-oxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, found in deep green and vivid red colored foods, as well as eggs. So include at least two servings of each of these vivid colors in ones diet daily. Lets look at some excellent sources of these foods. In the red group, one can include other colors such as deep orange, purple (plums, eggplant) blue (berries) and black (berries). Add some dried cranberries to a salad, munch on a red skinned apple, watermelon in season, have tomatoes (raw or cooked) several meals each week, add orange and red bell peppers too. Ones deep green foods include sources such as spinach (cooked or raw) green beans, peas, broccoli, romaine lettuce, and other greens such as kale, collards, beet, and turnip greens. These can be cooked or even juiced. The greater the variety, the more nutrients one has since all foods vary in the kind and amounts of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and anti-oxidants. When one is healthy, others might exclaim, “You look bright eyed and bushy tailed today!” “Yes thanks” is our reply with a smile knowing that we are using knowledge to make a difference in our health. About Victoria Bowmann, Ph.D Dr. Victoria Bowmann received her PhD in homeopathy and natural medicine from Westbrook University as well as a doctorate in homeopathic medicine from the British Institute of Homeopathy. She is also a licensed massage and certified colon therapist in the state of Arizona. Bowmann is a regular contributor to several national publications, has been interviewed on television and radio, and has delivered numerous presentations internationally. She has personally trained physicians and colon hydrotherapist and wrote a widely used training manual on GI Health and reflorastation. Her private practice is located in Phoenix, Ariz., and Bowmann lives by the motto, "Happiness is a choice." Check out my website http://www.myrealhealth.com.php Subcribe to my YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/MyRealHealth for health updates.
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