There can be no controversial opinion against the fact that vision is one of the best gifts of nature. Can you imagine the tragic life of darkness without this great gift of vision? Ayurveda, the ancient medicinal system of India, has prescribed many suggestions for the best care of eyes. Ayurveda has a separate branch for eye care called Shalakya Tantra or netra chikitsa which means eye care. It is one of the eight branches of Ayurvedic science.
How are the eyes affected?
Eyes are very delicate. They have to be cared very carefully. In the modern health style, eye are easily
affected by spending long hours watching TV and working on computers. According to Ayurveda, the eyes are governed by Pitta dosha, the element of Fire, which becomes less balanced as we age. That is why it is important to care for your eyes throughout life. Ayurvedic texts describe various health problems that affect the eyes and solutions for those conditions. They mention around 76 types of eye diseases. Conjunctivitis, glaucoma, short sight and long sight conditions, presbyopia, night blindness and color blindness are some of the problems described in them.Ayurvedic diet for better vision
Foods that are rich in vitamin A (beta carotene) help improve eyesight and prevent eye problems. Ayurveda suggests eating fruits and vegetables that have a deep orange or yellow color such as carrots, winter squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, papayas, apricots, peaches, and mangoes and also
leafy vegetables that have dark green color. Radish, sprouted chick-peas, and all leafy vegetables such as spinach beet greens and broccoli contain rich carotene and are good for eyesight.Ayurvedic remedies for better eyesight
In addition to the suggestion of foods that can be taken, Ayurveda also suggests lifestyle changes to prevent excess heat to the body. Sour and spicy foods aggravate the element of Fire (Agni). Long travels, exposure to the sun for skin tanning, and napping during daytime are harmful to eye health.
Drinking plenty of water is one of the easiest remedies for eye problems.
Above all, regular yoga exercises are very helpful for the eyes. There are several yoga practices specific to the eyes.
Ayurveda suggests sprinkling of rose water to refresh the eyes. Aromatic bath with hair oils prepared for eye care can be very effective. Herbal oils such as ponnanganni thailam, karisalankanni thailam and amalaki herbal oil are found to be very useful in cooling the eyes.
Carrot is called “eyefood” which is inevitable in eye care, especially to prevent night blindness. Without proper eyesight your whole life will become dark. Hence, take care of the eyes and have a better vision.
