basil, catnip, chervil, parsley
- Cold basil tea is good for all kinds of eye problems, both as internal tea and as eye wash. To make the tea, use fresh basil leaves and unground seed: Bring 2 pints of water to a boil, add 15 basil seeds. Cover, reduce heat, and let simmer slowly for 45 minutes. Remove from head and add 1-1/2 handfuls of fresh or half-dried basil, steep for another 25 minutes. Drink 2 cups per day as needed, and gargle with this tea too. When lukewarm and strained, the tea can also be used to bathe the eyes.
- A strong catnip tea can be used as eyewash as it relieves inflammation and swelling. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil and add 5 tsp. of cut fresh catnip leaves. Reduce to low heat and let simmer for 3 minutes, then remove from heat. Let steep for 50 more minutes. Strain and refrigerate for example in a clean fruit jar. Use as eye wash several times a day. An eye cup would come in handy to do this.
You can also soak a clean towel in a warm solution of the tea, then cover the eyes with it for 30 minutes. - Or steep equal parts of chopped chervil and parsley leaves in boiling water, let them cool to body temperature, and then apply the liquid to the eye with an eye cup to fight conjunctivitis. It acts as an eye disinfectant and reduces the burning sensation. While boiling the chervil, stay in the room as the steam from the boiling herb water will already give relive.