Droopy eyelids can be much more than an annoyance, interfering with normal eye function and affecting the way you look as well. But with mainstream medicine mostly suggesting surgery as treatment, you might, understandably, hesitate to go under the knife. The good news is Ayurveda, homeopathy, and other traditional medicine offer less invasive and much simpler solutions.
Ptosis And How It Is Treated
As the National Institutes of Health explain, the drooping of your upper eyelids or ptosis can result from aging, injury, diseases like diabetes, myasthenia gravis, Horner syndrome, a stroke, a congenital defect, styes, or tumors. This happens because the muscle responsible for raising the eyelid is weak or the nerves controlling the muscle are damaged. Loose skin in the area may also be a reason. The normal recourse is blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery. While ptosis can occur due to aging, when children develop the problem prompt action is called for to prevent lazy eye or damage to their vision.1 However, the thought of surgery can be daunting whether you’re a child or an adult.
What’s more worrying is that possible side effects or complications like swelling and bruising for weeks following the procedure, over- or under-correction, infection, and poor contour creation during the surgery could require a re-operation in some cases.2 Thankfully, alternative therapy brings some welcome options that are less risky and less invasive.
1. Homeopathy Medicines Like Gelsemium Sempervirens
Homeopathy has multiple remedies for ptosis, but none more widely suggested than Gelsemium sempervirens. Derived from the yellow jasmine, it helps overcome the weakness associated with the condition that can blur your vision, causing you to “see double.” Pain in the eyeball and giddiness are also alleviated with this remedy. A complementary treatment is Plumbum metallicum.3
A practitioner may also prescribe Syphilinum to treat paralysis of the eye muscles that occurs in someone with ptosis with neurogenic (nervous system origins) and myogenic (muscular origins) roots. It is usually given for a longer duration of time to heal the function of the body’s nervous system or muscles.4 Hemlock-based remedy Conium maculatum eases paralysis of your upper eyelids and is another possible treatment your homeopathic doctor may suggest. This also has a reputation for effectively treating old age-linked exhaustion of your cerebrospinal system.5
2. Acupuncture To Treat Nerve And Muscle Problems In The Face
Acupuncture, specifically scalp and facial acupuncture, can be used to treat neuromuscular problems of the face.6 As one case study showed, the condition of a patient with ptosis caused by midbrain infarction (a dying tissue in the midbarin) improved from “poor” to “fair” after being treated with a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine.7 If you have taut muscles that have atrophied due to ptosis or myasthenia gravis, intramuscular needles can help relax them.8
3. Chamomile Tea Therapy For Sagging Skin
A widely recommended treatment for ptosis due to sagging skin associated with old age is chamomile tea. Brew up a batch of chamomile tea and sip on it to relieve inflammation and get your nervous system back on track. The brew can relax your eyelid internally, while the topical application of wet chamomile tea bags on your eyes also eases sagging.9
4. Nasya And Netrapana For Droopy Eyelids
Ayurvedic texts describe nasya, a panchakarma therapy for ptosis that involves the use of ghee, salt, and oils. A nutritional nasya therapy used for vata disorders is said to ease symptoms.10 This involves instilling the ghee, salt, and oils directly into the nasal passage.
Netrapana therapy where medicated ghee (or oil) is kept on your eyes (for a period of time determined by the practitioner) or netradhara where a stream of this medicated oil is poured over your eyes can strengthen the nerves and muscles of your eyes.11 In addition, other treatments like shirodhara with the use of special vata-pacifying remedies may also be suggested.
5. A Diet Rich In Vitamin B12 Foods
You can also give your nervous system a boost by ensuring you’re getting all the essential nutrients it needs. Vitamin B12 and folic in particular are important for central nervous system function.12 Organ meats like liver and kidney as well as seafood like clams, oysters, mackerel, crab, and mussels are good sources of the vitamin b12. Fortified foods offer a way for vegetarians to get their share of the nutrient in their diet.13
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