Hands-On Healing Can Help Shorten a Bout of Conjunctivitis.

Quickly-almost before you know it-one (or both) of your eyes is red, swollen, and teary; maybe it also itches and has a yellowish discharge. These symptoms mean that you have pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the mucous membrane-the conjunctiva-that lines the inner eyelid and eyeball. There are three types of conjunctivitis: viral, allergic, and bacterial. You should visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis of the type you have, because bacterial conjunctivitis needs to be treated with antibiotics, Most viral and allergic cases, however, can be treated without drugs, using alternative home remedies, says Edward L. Paul Jr, Ph.D., an optometrist, holistic nutritionist, and director of Atlantic Eye Associates in Hampstead, North Carolina.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE: An Herbal Formula
The Chinese herbal formula Ming Mu Di Huang Wan (Brighten the Eyes) "is a classic tonic for eye problems that involve itchy or red eyes, such as conjunctivitis," says Marc Grossman, an optometrist, licensed acupuncturist, and codirector of the Integral Health Center in Rye and New Paltz, New York. Follow the dosage recommendations on the label.

CHAMOMILE: Use ItAs a Compress
You can use a chamomile tea bag as a compress to reduce the inflammation of conjunctivitis, says Dr. Grossman. Put the tea bag in warm (not hot) water for 2 to 3 minutes, squeeze out the excess liquid, then place the tea bag over your inflamed eye for 2 to 3 minutes. Use this treatment three or four times a day, he says.

REFLEXOLOGY: Make Conjunctivitis Toe the Line
Pressing reflex points on your feet that send energy to your eyes is thought to help relieve conjunctivitis, says Douglas Klappich, a reflexologist and director of the Wellth Health Alternative Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Simply use your thumb to firmly press the bottom, top, and sides of the big toe, second toe, and third toe on each foot. Concentrate on the toe base, the area around the toe where it connects to the foot.

If you find a particularly sensitive spot-and it's likely that you will, since you have an eye inflammation, and these reflex points correspond to the eyes-spend 1 to 2 minutes pressing that area.
"Sometimes, you can solve the problem with just one session of reflexology," says Klappich, but he recommends repeating the sessions a couple of times each day for up to 10 days, or until the symptoms subside.

Clearing Up Allergic Conjunctivitis
Anything that can cause an allergy can cause allergic conjunctivitis, says Dr. Paul, but natural remedies can often clear up the symptoms.

QUERCETIN: More Powerful Than Anti-Allergy Eyedrops
Quercetin, one of a class of nutrients called bioflavonoids, is more effective than anti-allergy eye drops in stopping the symptoms of conjunctivitis," says Dr. Paul. He recommends starting with 1,000 milligrams, then increasing the dosage by 1,000 milligrams a day (to a maximum of 5,000 milligrams) until your symptoms are under control.

HYDROTHERAPY: Control Itching with a Cold Compress
A cold compress can help "short-circuit the allergic response of itching and irritation in conjunctivitis," says Daniel John Dieterichs, G.D., an optometrist in Belen, New Mexico. Here are his directions. Fill a dish with ice cubes and water and soak a washcloth in the water. Remove it from the dish and squeeze out the excess water. Fold the washcloth and place it over both eyes, keeping it in place until it warms. Repeat the procedure until the itching subsides.
"You can control the red, sore, itchy eyes of allergy season very easily with this technique," says Dr. Dieterichs.

VITAMIN C: Reduce the Inflammation
Vitamin C helps quiet the inflammation of a case of allergic conjunctivitis, says Dr. Paul. He recommends taking 1,000 milligrams a day.


Use Acupressure To Maximize Medication.
Sometimes, when medication isn't working to clear up a case of conjunctivitis, adding acupressure will boost the power of the drug and help heal the infection, says Marc Grossman, 0.0., an optometrist, acupuncturist, and codirector of the Integral Health Center in Rye and New Paltz, New York.

Here are the points to use. (For the exact locations, see An Illustrated Guide to Acupressure Points on page 638.) Do them in sequence twice a day, using the pad of your thumb to apply firm pressure to each point for 30 seconds. Don't forget to do the points on both sides of the body.

• BLI is in the inner corner of the eye, just above the tear duct.
• GBI is at the lateral end (closest to the ear) of each eye.
• Ll4 is in the web between the thumb and index finger, at the highest point of the muscle that protrudes when the thumb and index finger are close together.
• LV2 is in the web between the first and second toes.
• ST 44 is between the second and third toes about  ½ inch above the point where they meet the foot.. TB23 is in the depression at the lateral end of the eyebrow.
• BL10  is ½ inch below the base of the skull on the back of the neck, level with the space between the first and second cervical vertebrae and approximately 1/2 inch from either side of the spine.