Ayurveda Eye Care programme - takes care of your eyes every day

AYURVEDIC EYE CARE -  dont wait until theres a problem

Every day, our lifestyle and environmental factors put a strain on our eyes, whether its using a computer, watching TV, lack of sleep or even a poor diet. We usually only do something about eye strain when theres a problem. With a simple Ayurvedic eye care programme you can support the health of your eyes every day.

According to Ayurveda five elements, called the mahabhutas, play a role in maintaining eye health. One governs the muscular part of the eye, another rules the blood vessels, while other mahabhutas govern the colour, the white area and the tear ducts and channels.

Because all five mahabhutas are involved, it is important to keep all the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, in balance for the welfare of your eyes. But it is Pitta dosha that is chiefly involved with eye function, and particularly its subdosha Alochaka. As we age, Alochaka tends to become less balanced and it is therefore important to care for your eyes throughout life.

Here are some simple things you can do to support the health of your eyes and improve your vision.  TOP

HEALTHY EYE HABITS - TV, poor light and lack of sleep

One of the main causes of myopia (near-sightedness) is staring at the TV from close up, so watch TV from at least ten feet away--not too near and not too far.

Proper light is another factor in eye health, just like your mother told you. Avoid reading or working in either dim light or in bright sunlight. Staring fixedly in the distance or close-up is especially harmful in bright sunlight, especially if you're around water, snow or other reflecting objects. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes in bright sunlight, but not to drive or read with, as this will cause strain.

Lack of sleep, because it causes Pitta imbalance, is one of the biggest enemies of the eyes . If you have a tendency to stay up too late, try going to bed just fifteen minutes earlier. Gradually bring your bedtime into alignment with the Ayurvedic routine--before 10:00. If you tend to wake up in the night and not fall back asleep, try our Blissful Sleep Pitta (MA1684) food supplement, which is especially helpful for balancing Pitta.  TOP

A MORNING EYE ROUTINE  as easy as brushing your teeth

• 1. Each morning upon waking (either before or after using the toilet), fill your mouth with water and hold for a few seconds with your eyes closed. Spit it out and repeat 2-3 times.
• 2. Splash your eyes and face with cool or slightly warm water 10-15 times. Repeat again in the evening when you return from work or school.
• Caution: Never use hot or icy water on the eyes. Also avoid abrupt temperature changes. For instance, if you're hot and sweaty, wait 10-15 minutes until your body adjusts before splashing cool water on your face and eyes.   TOP

YOGA FOR YOUR EYES  -  an exercise that helps

Yogic eye exercises, if done daily, are a gentle and effective way to prevent vision problems from developing. They are especially recommended for children, but adults can help prevent far-sightedness from developing in middle age, and even people who wear glasses can prevent their vision from getting worse.

If you already do yoga regularly, continue with your normal routine because most yogic exercises have a good effect on the eyes. But add this one.

PALMING for releasing stress from the eyes

• 1. Rub both palms together quickly for 8-10 seconds. This friction creates a mild heat.
• 2. Close the eyes and gently place the left palm over the left eye and the right palm over the right eye for one minute. Do not press the eyeballs with the palms, just let them gently rest there. Breathe in and out slowly to release stress.
• 3. Repeat 2-3 times.
• 4. Other Yoga asanas that strengthen the eyes include the Bhujangasana (snake pose) and Shavasana (rest pose). Surya Namaskara (sun salutes) is also helpful.  TOP

PREVENTING COMPUTER FATIGUE  -  try this now

If you have to stare at a computer screen up close for your job, or spend long hours doing any detailed close-up work, use these tips to banish eye fatigue.

• 1. Every thirty minutes, look away from the computer and palm your eyes (see above). You can also get up for a short break, stretch or make a phone call and roll the head slowly.
• 2. Dampen two wads of cotton wool with pure Rose Water (or rose water with cold milk). Place the pads over your closed eyes and relax for 10 minutes. Rose water has a cooling effect and is especially helpful for tired eyes. You can palm your eyes afterwards.  TOP

EYE-HEALTHY FOODS & DRINKS  -  nourish from within

In general, follow a diet and lifestyle as recommended by Maharishi Ayurveda appropriate for your constitution and your imbalances.

To strengthen your vision, or if you face particular eyestrain, add stewed apple, sprouted chickpeas, and raw carrot (an excellent source of Vitamin A) to your diet.

For example, for breakfast eat a stewed apple and 1/4-cup of chickpeas, which have, been sprouted for two days.

For lunch, eat a salad with shredded white radish (mooli) and one carrot, flavoured with salt and lemon juice. You can also add cucumber, tomato or lettuce to taste. Vegetable soups, green leafy vegetables, and wheat bread are nourishing for the eyes.

Dinner can include the same cooked foods, only less quantity.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Constipation and internal dryness, has an adverse effect on the eyes.

Reduce  caffeinated drinks, which tend to disrupt natural detoxification and dehydrate the body. Add a pinch of cardamom to your caffeinated drinks to balance these effects or better still replace them with Rajas Cup, which is a traditional Ayurvedic beverage that supports the mind and detoxification. Rajas Cup is a powerful antioxidant, and balances stress and the craving for caffeine.

An ideal drink for the eyes is Almond Energy, containing Winter Cherry (Ashwagandha) to support eye function, and Brahmi to soothe mental stress. Take 1-2 teaspoon a day with warm milk or sweet orange juice. Or you can grind 1/2 cup each of almonds, raw sugar and anise seeds and add 1/2-1 teaspoon of the mix to a cup of warm milk.   TOP

KEEP VATA BALANCED  -  lubrication, massage, herbals drink

• If Vata gets out of balance your eyes may feel tired and dry, or be filled with crusty matter when you wake up. Here are some ways to balance Vata dosha and refresh and lubricate your eyes.
  1. When you wake up in the morning, splash your eyes and face with slightly warm water 10-15 times.
• 2. After returning from work or school, wash your feet in warm water and massage them with Rejuvenation Massage Oil.
• 3. Drink fennel seed water each day. Boil 1/2 teaspoon of fennel seed in a cup of water until reduced to half. Sip when warm.   TOP

KEEP PITTA BALANCED  -  Sleep, liver and eye pads

If proper detoxification is not taking place eyes may become bloodshot or baggy or with dark patches under them. To keep the natural detoxification going smoothly make sure you are getting enough sleep, especially before midnight, and support the function of the liver with bitter foods (greens).

Support liver function with Liver Care tablets (MA579). Also use eye pads with cold milk and rose water.   TOP

DIET AND LIFESTYLE TIPS -  how many can you do ?

1. Drink plenty of warm water. Avoid ice cold and carbonated drinks
2. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol
3. Add coconuts, raisins, and sweet juicy fruits to your diet
4. Only take a moderate amount of sugar
5. Avoid red meat and heavy fried foods
6. Avoid drinking fluids before bed
7. Favour only natural beauty products
8. Do not smoke, and avoid second hand smoke
9. Get plenty of sleep
10. Make sure you are laughing every day to exercise facial muscles
11. For tired eyes use a silk eye pillow.  TOP

AYURVEDA PRODUCTS  - 9 we recommended

For further information about the products mentioned above and on how to order them see How to Order or call 01695 51015 and for information about the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Centre see www.MaharishiAyurveda.co.uk or call 01695 51008.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this document is presented for the sole purpose of imparting education on Maharishi Ayurveda and neither the information nor the products are intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, or are pregnant or lactating, please consult a health professional and it is recommended that you speak with your physician before making significant changes to your diet or routine.