How to Make Herbal Honey Eye Drops: A Step-by-Step Guide by Dr. Heather ND
Today, I’m excited to share with you a step-by-step guide on how to make your own herbal honey eye drops. I often post various herbal projects and medicine-making recipes on my Instagram and Facebook, but when I shared this particular eye drop recipe, it sparked an overwhelming amount of interest and questions. So, I decided to create a comprehensive guide, including this video, to help anyone who wants to make these eye drops at home.
Why Make Herbal Honey Eye Drops?
Herbal honey eye drops are a natural and gentle way to soothe and treat minor eye irritations. The combination of healing herbs and the antimicrobial properties of honey make these drops both effective and safe when used correctly. These drops can help with conditions like dry eyes, minor infections, or simply to refresh tired eyes. However, it’s crucial to ensure that all the ingredients and tools used are clean, organic, and of the highest quality, as these drops will be applied directly to your eyes.
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need:
- Herbs: I’m using calendula and chamomile for this recipe. Both are known for their soothing and healing properties. Calendula is particularly good for reducing inflammation, while chamomile is gentle and calming, perfect for sensitive eyes. You could also consider adding chrysanthemum to your blend, which is another herb traditionally used in eye care.
- Manuka Honey: This type of honey is renowned for its strong antimicrobial and healing properties. It’s crucial to use high-quality, pure Manuka honey to ensure the best results.
- Water: You’ll need clean, filtered water to create the herbal infusion. The amount will depend on how concentrated you want your eye drops to be.
- A clean, dry glass container: This is where you’ll mix your herbal infusion with the honey. Make sure it’s thoroughly clean and dry before use.
- A fine strainer: Since we’re using herbs like chamomile, which can have tiny particles, it’s essential to strain the infusion very finely. You want to remove all the solid particles to avoid any irritation when using the drops.
- Unbleached natural tea bags: I prefer using these for steeping the herbs, as they don’t introduce any unwanted chemicals or flavors into the infusion.
Step 1: Preparing the Herbal Infusion
First, we need to create a strong herbal infusion. This step is similar to making a cup of herbal tea, but with a higher concentration of herbs to water.
- Add the Herbs: Start by placing your herbs into a pot. I like to use just enough to cover the bottom of the pot. This might not seem like much, but remember, we’re aiming for a concentrated infusion. The more concentrated the infusion, the more potent the eye drops will be.
- Add Water: Pour in just enough filtered water to cover the herbs. Since calendula is a fluffy herb, it will absorb a significant amount of water, so don’t worry if it seems like you haven’t added much. The idea is to keep the water-to-herb ratio high so that the final infusion is rich in the herbs’ beneficial properties.
Step 2: Heating the Infusion
Now that we’ve prepared our herb and water mixture, it’s time to heat it. Heating not only extracts the beneficial compounds from the herbs but also ensures that the final product is safe for use in the eyes by killing any potential microbes.
Bring to a Boil: Place the pot on the stove and heat it until the water begins to boil. Once it reaches a rolling boil, let it continue for about 2 minutes. This boiling step is crucial because we want to ensure that any microbes present in the water or herbs are eliminated. Since these drops will be used in your eyes, safety is paramount.
Let It Simmer: After boiling, remove the pot from heat and allow the infusion to cool slightly. It should still be warm enough to dissolve the honey later but not so hot that it could degrade the honey’s beneficial properties.
Step 3: Straining the Infusion
Once your herbal infusion has cooled to a manageable temperature, it’s time to strain out the herbs. This step is essential to ensure that your eye drops are smooth and free of any particles that could cause irritation.
Strain the Herbs: Using a fine mesh strainer or unbleached tea bags, strain the infusion into your clean, dry glass container. Make sure to press down on the herbs to extract as much of the infused liquid as possible. The last bit of liquid that you squeeze out is often the most concentrated, so don’t skip this step.
Check for Clarity: After straining, take a moment to inspect the infusion. It should be clear and free of any herbal particles. If you notice any bits of herbs or cloudiness, strain it again until you’re confident that it’s perfectly clear. The clearer your infusion, the more comfortable it will be to use as eye drops.
Step 4: Adding Manuka Honey
Now that we have our herbal infusion ready, it’s time to add the Manuka honey. Honey not only acts as a natural preservative but also enhances the antimicrobial properties of the eye drops.
Determine the Ratio: The amount of honey you add depends on how strong you want the antimicrobial effect to be. I typically use a 1:3 ratio of honey to herbal infusion. This ratio provides a good balance between effectiveness and comfort. The more honey you add, the stronger the antimicrobial effect, but also, the more it may sting when applied to your eyes.
Mix Thoroughly: Add the honey to the warm herbal infusion and stir until it’s completely dissolved. Make sure the infusion isn’t too hot when you add the honey, as excessive heat can degrade some of its beneficial properties. Take your time to ensure that the honey is fully integrated into the infusion.
Test the Mixture: If you’re unsure about the honey concentration, you can test a small amount by applying a drop to your eye. If it stings too much, you can dilute it by adding more of the herbal infusion. Remember, you can always add more honey, but you can’t take it out once it’s in.
Step 5: Bottling the Eye Drops
Once your herbal honey mixture is ready, it’s time to bottle it. Proper bottling is crucial for maintaining the sterility and effectiveness of your eye drops.
Prepare the Dropper Bottles: Ensure that your dropper bottles are thoroughly cleaned and dried before use. Even a small amount of residual water can introduce unwanted microbes, so take your time with this step. I like to wash my bottles and then let them air dry in the sunlight for several hours. The UV light from the sun has natural antimicrobial properties, which further helps to sterilize the bottles.
Pour the Mixture: Carefully pour the herbal honey mixture into your dropper bottles. I recommend using a funnel to avoid any spills. Make sure not to fill the bottles to the brim—leave a little space at the top to allow for any expansion.
Label the Bottles: If more than one person in your household will be using the eye drops, it’s a good idea to label the bottles with each person’s name. This prevents any cross-contamination. Also, make a note of the date you made the drops so you know when they need to be replaced.
Step 6: Using and Storing Your Eye Drops
Your herbal honey eye drops are now ready to use! Here’s how to apply and store them properly.
Application: When using the eye drops, it’s essential to avoid touching the dropper tip directly to your eye. Hold the dropper above your eye and let the drops fall in from a slight distance. This prevents any microbes from your eye from contaminating the dropper or the solution.
Dosage: These eye drops can be used as needed. Typically, 1 to 3 drops in the affected eye, up to three times a day, is sufficient. If both eyes are affected, you can use the drops in both eyes. Because these drops are made with natural ingredients, there’s no risk of overuse.
Storage: Store the eye drops in the refrigerator to prolong their shelf life. With a 1:3 honey to infusion ratio, the drops should last about two weeks in the fridge. However, if you notice that the drops start to look cloudy or develop an off smell, it’s time to discard them and make a new batch.
Shelf Life: The more honey you add, the longer the drops will last. Honey is a natural preservative, so higher concentrations can extend the shelf life of your eye drops. But remember, fresh is always best, especially when it comes to products that are used in such sensitive areas as the eyes.
Final Thoughts
Making your own herbal honey eye drops is a rewarding process that allows you to take control of what you’re putting into your body. These drops can be a soothing and natural remedy for various minor eye issues. However, it’s important to note that these are not a substitute for professional medical treatment. Always consult with a healthcare provider if you have any serious or persistent eye conditions.
As always, this information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any questions about making or using these eye drops, please feel free to comment below. I’m happy to help in any way I can.
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