Green Tea Eye Wash

Our eyes are important, and when they become swollen or irritated it can become a serious issue. Over-the-counter drops can be expensive and sometimes lead to further irritation. Green tea is thought to make the eyes feel refreshed and cooler if they are itchy or irritated. Here is a quick, easy recipe to help soothe irritated eyes and help remove dust and small particles. You can also allow your tea bags to cool and apply them directly to the eyes. This is thought to reduce swelling of the eyes and dark circles.

Bring 1 1/2 cups of purified water to a rolling boil for 10 minutes, then turn off the burner but do not remove the pan. When it has stopped boiling, add one tea bag of unflavored green tea in natural casing, then 1/4 teaspoon of fine grain table salt (avoid sea salt, as its coarse consistency is not suitable). Stir until the water darkens and allow to rest on the burner for 20 minutes.

Pour the mixture through a cheesecloth, coffee filter or tea-strainer and allow it to cool to room temperature. Store in a sealed sterile container and refrigerate. Using this mixture will cool and soothe the eyes without the use of chemicals.

While there is no maximum number of times it can be used, if irritation persists after 24 hours consult an optometrist. Dispose of the mixture after 48 hours.