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Castor Oil for Dry Eye Relief

Beverly Meyer

Health Support, Lifestyle

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I use special castor oil for dry eye relief. I’m prone to red itchy eyes, Blepharitis and crusty specks on my eyelashes when I wake up. Sometimes my eyes get teary.

I first checked with my eye doctor for erosion of the cornea or bacterial infection.

What is Dry Eye?

Dry Eye is insufficient tears, poor quality tears, or clogging of the eye’s oil glands. Symptoms include a gritty feeling, redness, stinging, excess tears, crusts on the eyelids, dryness of the eye, itching and more. Tears protect the surface of the eye, the cornea and the lining of the eyelid. Don’t ignore dry eye!

What is Blepharitis?

Inflammation of the eyelids due to clogged Meibomian oil glands in the eyelids. It can also be bacterial or mites (or all of these plus fatty acid deficiency).

Causes of Dry Eye or Blepharitis

Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency

Most of us benefit from extra DHA from cod liver oil or fish oil. (Here’s the difference). My clinic’s Rosita Cod Liver Oil has more DHA than EPA (that’s unusual) and naturally occurring Vitamins A and D. (Always take Vitamin K2 with Vitamin D. ALWAYS). Regular fish oil provides EPA/DHA (more EPA than DHA) but no Vitamin A. I prefer this high DHA fish oil if you aren’t on Rosita.

In addition to DHA Fish Oil, I had help for my dry eye taking another fatty acid, Black Currant Seed Oil gelcaps. Gamma Linoleic Acid is an essential fat, but hard to get in our diets. Take 2 daily with food.

Ensure you digest your fats. You may need enzymes or bile acids. Especially if you lost your gallbladder.

Medical Issues Causing Dry Eye

Dry Eye can be a symptom of autoimmune disorders or thyroid issues. Many meds list dry eye as a side effect. Look them up! Ask your doc to change to another medication.

Dry Eyes From Wind, Allergy, Computers, Body Care

Wind, smoke, pollen, dry air. Staring at screens makes us blink less. Learn to constantly moisten your eyes – close for a few seconds, blink a few times and look to the distance. Hard, soft or chlorinated water can all cause eye irritation. Here’s info on blinking and dry eye relief.

Cosmetics: Makeup, cleansers, hair and body care can all irritate the eyes. Find out which ones are doing this and replace them. False eyelashes and contact lenses often cause eye inflammation. Eye makeup can be hard on eyes. Only wear it when/if you “have to”.

Natural Help for Dry Eye

Diet plays a major role in dry eye. We need good fats but consume too many bad fats (canola for example). This article has more on choosing the best fats.

I use extra EPA/DHA, warm compresses, eye massage (see below) and castor oil for my dry eye. This also helps Demodex lash infection.

Study my other article and Podcast for the daily step-by-step plan for eye care. Read that here when you’re finished studying this article.

If you need guidance, Contact me for Consult time.

Castor Oil for Dry Eye Relief

Castor Oil comes from the seed of the castor shrub. It contains unique fats (ricinoleiec acid) and anti-microbials and is anti-inflammatory. Massaging it onto eyelids, brows and lashes will help unclog eye glands and get circulation in the eye ducts.

Only use Castor Oil eye drops that are Hexane Free and organic such as this one I use on my face and/or eyes. (For larger areas I use this one to make castor oil packs for the liver or abdomen).

Warm Compress and Castor Oil Massage for Dry Eye

  • Start with a clean, unmoisturized face.
  • Heat a cup of filtered water (soft water burns my eyes) and pour some on a Microfiber washcloth (softer than a washcloth). Hold gently on closed eyes, contacting the eyelashes and tear ducts. Do this for 4 minutes, keeping the cloth warm but not hot.
  • Or use a microwave-heated eye mask such as this Bruder mask.
  • Then, gently (GENTLY) massage the eyelids at the bone just under the eyebrow and against the bone just under the eye.

Finally, put a drop or two of castor oil on a fingertip and gently massage the eyelids, lashes, brows and skin around the eyes. Castor oil is an excellent moisturizer as well as a therapy.

Castor Oil Drops in the Eye

In addition to the above, if my eyes feel irritated, I put a drop of pure castor oil on a QTIP and gently roll it onto the margins of the eyes. This can soothe immediately. Use the correct castor oil!!

Vitamin A for Dry Eye

  • Vitamin A is not Beta-Carotene from carrots. Retinol comes only from animal products.
  • Many people do not convert Beta-Carotene to Vitamin A, especially if hypothyroid.
  • Premium multis can contain Retinol pure Vitamin A. Cheaper brands add Beta-Carotene.
  • Eating liver several times a month provides Vitamin A. Try my gluten-free Secret Ingredient Meatballs and Gravy. Or my famous “Illegal” Pate.

Vitamin A Supplements for Eyes

  • Organ Synergy supplement contains freeze-dried organic animal organs in odor-free, tasteless capsules.
  • These have Vitamin A plus other vitamins and minerals. Take daily for life.
  • Our Rosita Cod Oil gelcaps or liquid have some natural Vitamin A too. Use Rosita daily for life along with K2 from Walkabout Emu Oil or a K2 supplement.

Is it Allergies or Dry Eye?

I recommend all my Clients try D-HIST. We sell a ton of it (cheaper than Amazon). Take 1 – 6 daily in divided doses anytime. Dry Eye Drops can be useful but will not fix the underlying cause. Fixing the cause – not just the symptom – is what natural functional health is all about!

Your Eye Doctor Can Help

Your doctor can clean the eyes’ Meibomian glands and test a tear sample. They have drops and ointments but won’t know about castor oil for dry eye or Blepharitis relief. Check for erosion of the cornea and other issues that go beyond simple dry eye but don’t let them plug your tear ducts unless you’ve tried everything else. That may fix the symptom but not the cause of your fat deficiency and eating hydrogenated oils that clog ducts. Consults with me can help upgrade your diet, lifestyle, labs and comfort.

A drop of Castor Oil is dripping into a brown bottle

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: I am not a licensed medical doctor and cannot advise you on medical matters. However, by studying my website you may be better able to communicate with your wellness provider. If you need medical assistance, please seek support from a qualified physician. Click here to read my full disclaimer.
AFFILIATE LINKS: There are affiliate links in some of my articles, which means I may get a small commission if you decide to purchase something after clicking on the links. I only recommend products I trust or have used so I know you'll be in good hands.

Beverly Meyer recording a podcast episode

About Beverly

In practice since 1985.

Beverly Meyer is a Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist who has been in practice since 1985. Her Primal Diet – Modern Health podcast has published over 200 episodes since 2010. In 2012 she founded The Center For Life, which is the largest natural health center in San Antonio, with 11 doctors and practitioners. Her Diet and Health Center San Antonio is also the longest serving health and wellness center in the area. Beverly has an MBA in Finance and BA in Economics, has owned and managed several businesses, including a franchising company and a large kitchen goods store.

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