Black Eye: Natural Treatments
A black eye is a consequence of an injury to the face or the head. When the injury happens, blood vessels and various other fluids surrounding the eye collect together, eventually causing it to swell & become darker in color. While black eyes go away on their own over time, there are times you really cannot afford to allow nature to take its time.
What Causes Black Eyes?
Black eyes can be caused by accidents, nasal and face injuries, allergic reactions, dental infections, cosmetic surgery, bug bites, skin infections, or from fighting.
When suffering from black eyes, blood pools around the affected area and the skin may change color from red, purple, or black.
Symptoms of Black Eye
Symptoms include pain, swelling, inability to move the eye, blurry vision, and headaches.
Serious Symptoms of Black Eye
Usually healing in 14 – 20 days, consult your doctor immediately if there is a cut on the skin around eye, serious internal injury to the head, eyes, or any other facial parts, or if you’re having any symptoms like nausea, dizziness, vomiting, or vision problems like loss of sight, double vision, or increased sensitivity to light.
How to Get Rid of Black Eye?
If you are not experiencing any of these serious symptoms, try these natural home remedies and tips to prevent the pain, swelling, and black eye effectively.
Home Remedies for Black Eye
1. Ice Compress
After being injured, apply a cold compress to the affected area to constrict the blood vessels and stop internal bleeding below the skin. Ice numbs pain, inflammation, and swelling. Do not apply the ice directly to the skin.
Ingredients:
- Cubed/crushed ice or bag of frozen vegetables
- Clean cloth
Method:
- Wrap ice cubes in a clean cloth or use a bag of frozen vegetables.
- Apply to the affected area for 10 minutes.
- Repeat every 1 – 2 hours for 1 – 2 days.
2. Warm Compress
After applying a cold compress for 1 – 2 days, follow up with a warm compress to increase blood circulation to the damaged blood vessels.
Ingredients:
- Warm water
- Clean cloth
Method:
- Soak a clean cloth in warm water and squeeze out excess water.
- Apply to the affected area for 10 minutes.
- Repeat every 1 – 2 hours until healed.
- If you do not have pain massage the affected area gently with warm cloth.
Note: Do not wash eyes with hot water and do not use heating pad to treat black eyes.
3. Comfrey Root
Comfrey root extract is used by herbalists for treating many skin problems. This extract contains small organic molecule allantoin that stimulates cell growth, repairs skin effectively, and reduces inflammation.
Method 1:
Ingredients:
- Comfrey root herb – 1 teaspoon
- Water – 1/2 teaspoon
Process:
- Mix comfrey root and water to make a paste.
- Apply around the affected area.
- Leave for 5 – 10 minutes and rinse with water.
- Repeat daily for best results.
Method 2:
Ingredients:
- Comfrey root herb – 1 teaspoon
- Water – 1 glass
- Clean cloth
Process:
- Boil comfrey root and water for 5 – 7 minutes.
- Strain the mixture and let it cool.
- Soak a clean cloth in the mixture.
- Apply to the affected area for 10 minutes.
- Repeat daily for best results.
4. Potato
Potatoes have certain enzymes that disperse old blood from bruises. Regular application of potato slices or juice reduce swelling and pain.
Method 1:
Ingredient:
- Potato
Process:
- Cut a potato into thick slices.
- Place in the refrigerator until cold.
- Place them on the affected area until the slices are no longer cold.
- Repeat regularly for best results.
Note: Alternately use chilled tea bags or cucumber slices, if desired.
Method 2:
Ingredients:
- Potato
- Grater
- Cotton ball
Process:
- Grate a potato to extract the juice.
- Apply the juice to the affected area using a cotton ball.
- Leave for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Repeat regularly for best results.
5. Arnica
Arnica is an effective herbal remedy traditionally used to treat sprains, strains, bruises, muscle soreness, swelling, and inflammation. It has anti-inflammatory properties which stimulate white blood cells to fight against infection, thus eliminating congested blood and fluid causing inflammation. Although there is an arnica homeopathic cream readily available in health stores, you can make arnica oil or salve.
Ingredients:
- Dried arnica herb – 1 ounce
- Oil – 1 cup
- Wintergreen essential oil – few drops
- Beeswax – 1 ½ ounce
- Storage container – 1
Method:
- Combine dried arnica and any plant oil like olive oil in a covered container for 6 weeks.
- Shake the jar daily to mix well.
- After 6 weeks, strain the oil and place the mixture in a double broiler.
- Warm for few minutes and add beeswax.
- Stir continuously until it melts and then add wintergreen oil.
- Warm it for 5 minutes.
- Pour salve into storage container and let cool.
- Apply to the affected area 2 – 3 times daily.
Note: pregnant, nursing women and children should not use arnica.
6. Hard Boiled Egg
Hard boiled egg is an ancient treatment for bruising.
Ingredients:
- Eggs – 1 to 2
- Water
Method:
- Boil eggs in hot water.
- When hard boiled, peel the shell from the eggs.
- Roll egg over closed eyes and surrounding skin until egg is cool.
- Once it gets cool boil the egg again and roll over the affected are.
- Continue until the applied egg becomes black.
- Repeat 2 – 3 times daily for best results.
7. Cayenne Pepper
Using a cayenne pepper and Vaseline is a popular Chinese and Taiwanese remedy for treating black eyes. The hot pepper contains capsaicin which reduces pain and bruising.
Ingredients:
- Cayenne pepper – 1 tablespoon
- Vaseline – 5 tablespoons
Method:
- Mix cayenne pepper and Vaseline.
- Apply to the affected area, avoid the eye completely.
- Leave for 30 – 45 minutes.
- Remove using a wet wipe or cotton ball.
- Repeat 1 – 2 times daily for best results.
8. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel soothes and heals black eyes effectively as this plant is traditionally used by American Indians for treating medicinal problems. Witch hazel extract is meant to cure sores, swelling, bruises, and darkness on the skin. This reduces pain and inflammation by tightening the veins. It also refreshes tired eyes and prevents darkness around the eye.
Ingredients:
- Witch hazel extract – 10 drops
- Water – 100 ml
- Cotton ball
- Chamomile essential oil (optional)
Method:
- Mix witch hazel extract and water. Add chamomile oil, if desired.
- Dip a cotton ball in a solution and then squeeze excess solution.
- Apply to the affected area using a cotton ball.
- Leave for 5 – 10 minutes and rinse with water.
- Repeat 2 – 3 times daily for best results.
9. Oil Massage
Massage relieves inflammation and promotes blood circulation, thus improving the skin. Effective oils include olive, tea tree, coconut, and vitamin E.
Method:
- Use clean hands to apply the oil to the affected area.
- Apply any oil to the affected area and gently massage for 3 – 5 minutes until the oil is absorbed into the skin.
- Repeat twice daily for best results.
10. Calendula:
Calendula or marigold reduces inflammation and promotes quick healing. It also reduces swelling and bruising.
Ingredients:
- Calendula flowers
- Hot water – 1 cup
- Clean washcloth
Method:
- Place a handful of calendula petals in hot water and steep for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Refrigerate for 30 – 45 minutes.
- Place in a clean wash cloth and soak in cool water.
- Apply to the affected area for 5 – 7 minutes.
- Repeat 3 times a day for best results.
11. Oatmeal
Oatmeal soothes the affected area and reduces pain and swelling.
Ingredients:
- Oatmeal
- Warm water
- Vitamin E oil
Method:
- Soak oatmeal in warm water.
- Massage the affected area with the oatmeal for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Pat the skin dry.
- Apply vitamin E oil and gently massage the affected area until absorbed into the skin.
- Then gently massage this around the black eye for about 10 – 15 minutes.
- Repeat three times daily to treat black eyes.
12. Blood root Herbal Paste
Bloodroot is an herb traditionally used by North Americans for various medicinal purposes including skin diseases, tumors, and warts. Bloodroot contains anesthetic, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties that relieve black eyes.
Note: bloodroot contains opium-like alkaloids which causes mucous membrane irritation. An overdose can be fatal. Pregnant and nursing women should not use bloodroot. Bloodroot is not edible and should not be ingested. Prolonged usage of bloodroot is not recommended.
Ingredients:
- Bloodroot powder – 1 – 2 teaspoons
- Water
Method:
- Mix bloodroot powder and water.
- Apply to the affected area while avoiding the eyes completely.
- Leave for 5 – 10 minutes and rinse with water.
- Repeat daily for one week for best results.
13. Elevate the Head
Elevate the head for the first 24 hours after getting a black eye prevent swelling. This will limit the blood flow to the sensitive area and reduce pain. Use extra pillows under the head to keep it elevated while sleeping.
14. Diet to Treat Black Eye
A proper diet is a great defense against black eye. Below are suggested foods to assist in preventing and healing black eyes.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K contains anti-oxidants and accelerates blood circulation. Many studies have found that vitamin K helps reduce pigmentation and repairs blood vessels and damaged capillaries. Foods high in vitamin K include: Brussels sprouts, spring onions, prunes, cabbage, cucumber, asparagus, broccoli, chili powder, paprika, cayenne, curry, and dark leafy vegetables like dandelion greens, cress, mustard greens, kale, spinach, turnip greens, beet greens, lettuce, and Swiss chard.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C produces collagen which is broken down when experiencing a black eye. Vitamin C deficiency can cause black eyes on its own. Breakdown in collagen in blood vessels will lead to bleeding. Without vitamin C, blood vessels become thin and weak, causing them to rupture when even light pressure is applied. Eat food rich in vitamin C or take vitamin C supplements. Foods high in vitamin C include: Indian gooseberry, lemon, orange, red and green bell peppers, chili peppers, kale, broccoli, pineapple, kiwi, mango, cauliflower, papaya, berries, Brussel sprouts, and guava.
Pineapple and papaya
Pineapple and papaya are rich in vitamin C and anti-oxidants. They contain bromelain which reduces swelling and pain. Consume these fruits for added relief.
Tips to Prevent Black Eye
- Avoid rubbing or putting pressure on the eyes to avoid making the problem worse.
- Refrigerate unpopped popcorn or a metal spoon and apply to the affected area to reduce pain and swelling.
- Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. This will increase blood circulation by removing toxins from the affected area.
- Sleep for 7 – 9 hours a day to relive stress and heal the problem.
- Acetaminophen is a pain reliever that should be taken sparingly as it is a blood thinner. Follow the instructions on the label or consult your doctor.
- Apply makeup, cover up, or concealer to hide the bruising, if desired.
- Prevention is always better than finding a cure. Preventive steps include wearing goggles, helmets, seat belts, and proper protective gear. Always wear glasses to protect the eyes from dirt, harmful UV rays, sun exposure, and other impurities.
- Make sure to consult your doctor if the pain or black eye persists.
