Chamomile, Eyebright, and the Stubborn Case of Pink Eye
A few weeks ago, I woke up with that familiar feeling in my eye—that gritty, irritated sensation that makes you immediately wonder, Oh no… is this conjunctivitis?
As a mom and herbalist, pink eye isn’t new territory for me. Over the years, I’ve cared for several of my children with conjunctivitis, and my favorite simple remedy has always been chamomile tea. Chamomile eye compresses worked so well that we never needed prescription antibiotic eye drops.
The first morning, there was some discharge and crusting, but after that, it was mostly irritation, redness, and that annoying sensation that something was in my eye. I began my usual chamomile routine and expected things to clear quickly.
It improved, but this particular infection seemed more stubborn than the cases I had dealt with before… as with my kiddos, it had always cleared up by the 2nd day. So, the third day, I decided to add eyebright to the blend, a traditional herb long associated with eye support, and that day the remaining irritation resolved.
Every case is different; this experience reminded me that sometimes my favorite remedies need a little extra boost!
My Herbal Eye Compress Method
This is my go-to approach for mild conjunctivitis support.
Items needed
1 bleach-free tea bag
1–2 teaspoons chamomile flowers
4 ounces distilled water
Optional: 1 teaspoon eyebright herb if symptoms are lingering
To Prepare
Place the herbs into the tea bag.
Pour about 4 ounces of boiling distilled water over the tea bag.
Cover and allow it to steep for about 30 minutes.
Let the infusion cool until comfortably warm.
While waiting for the tea to cool, I will sometimes wash my hands thoroughly, dip a clean finger into the tea, and gently apply a small amount around the affected eye area.
It is very important to:
Wash your hands before each application.
Never double-dip fingers into the tea.
Wash hands again before returning to the jar.
The Tea Bag Compress
Once the tea bag is cool enough to comfortably touch the skin:
Apply the very wet tea bag over the closed eye.
Allow some of the liquid to seep around the eyelids.
Rest with the compress for several minutes.
I find it especially helpful:
First thing in the morning.
Right before bed.
Discard the tea bag rather than reusing it.
Using the Remaining Tea
The leftover infusion can be used throughout the day.
Wash hands thoroughly.
Dip a clean finger into the tea.
Gently apply around the eye area.
Wash hands again before repeating.
- The remaining water after cooled can be used as an eye wash if you lack the time to hold a tea bag to the eye.
Practical Tips
- Change pillowcases frequently.
Avoid sharing towels or washcloths.
Apply compresses morning and evening for best results.
Learning These Skills for Yourself
This is exactly the kind of practical herbalism that I love to teach inside my Family Herbalist Course. We don’t simply memorize herbs or read about them in books, we learn how to use them confidently in everyday situations.
Whether it’s supporting a child with a cold, making an herbal honey, creating a simple tea blend, or knowing when to reach for chamomile alone versus adding another herb like eyebright, my goal is to help families build practical skills and confidence.
The Family Herbalist Course begins this August, and students begin learning right away, through recorded materials, before the live classes begin. Throughout the year we cover herbal actions, energetics, immune support, digestion, first aid, nervous system health, women’s health, and medicine making so that you can confidently care for yourself and your family using herbs.
If you’ve ever wished someone would simply teach you, “What do I do when my child wakes up sick?” or “What herb should I reach for first?” this course was created for you.
A Note of Caution
Not every case of conjunctivitis is the same. Viral, bacterial, allergic, and irritant causes can all look similar. If symptoms are severe, vision changes occur, pain develops, light sensitivity becomes significant, or symptoms continue to worsen, it is important to seek medical evaluation.
