Conjunctivitis (Kapha Abhishyanda)
……………………………..स्यन्देतुकफसंभवे l
जाड्यंशोफोमहान्कण्डूर्निद्रान्नानभिनन्दनम् ll
Ayurvedic Treatment of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) - Causes, Symptoms
Conjunctiva is a transparent membrane that covers the eyelids and white portion of the eye. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of this conjunctiva layer. When the small blood vessels in the conjunctiva get inflamed, this layer becomes reddish or pinkish and clearer. Since the color of the eye changes to pink, this condition is also called Pink Eye. Ayurveda explains this condition as Kapha Abhishyanda, a condition constituting infection and inflammation of the eye.
Dr. Gupta’s IAFA® is providing absolute Ayurvedic care and treatment for conjunctivitis (pink eye). It can be managed effectively by following the Ayurvedic treatment protocol through IAFA®.
Causes of Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is commonly caused following factors:
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Allergies
- Chemical dropping in the eye
- Foreign body in the eye
- In newborns, a blocked or incompletely opened tear duct
Following are some of the risk factors for conjunctivitis:
- Exposure to allergens
- Exposure to others having conjunctivitis
- Use of contact lenses
Ayurveda suggests reasons for conjunctivitis are improperly digested food, improper sleep, splashing hot water in the eyes, dust, smoke, etc.
Ayurvedic Reference of Conjunctivitis (Kapha Abhishyanda)

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
Important and common symptoms of conjunctivitis include:
- Redness of affected eyes
- Itching of affected eyes
- Foreign body sensation on affected eyes
- Thick discharge from eyes, making it difficult to open eyes in the morning after sleep.
- Tears from eyes.
Ayurveda explains the symptoms of conjunctivitis are inflammation of eyes, itching, profuse and thick discharge from eyes, etc.
Types of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
- Conjunctivitis of Newborns – Bacteria normally present in the mother’s birth canal can rarely cause infants, a serious form of conjunctivitis. It is known as the Ophthalmia neonatorum. This condition requires treatment at the earliest to preserve sight.
- Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis – Mostly conjunctivitis is caused by adenovirus; but it can also be caused by herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and even the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis have almost similar symptoms. Wearing unclean contact lenses or that of others can result in bacterial conjunctivitis. Both types spread through direct or indirect contact with the liquid oozing from the eyes of an infected person.

“Dr. Gupta’s is providing absolute Ayurvedic care and treatment for conjunctivitis. It can be managed effectively by following the Ayurvedic treatment protocol through IAFA®. Let’s feel the freedom of vision that the Institute of Applied Food Allergy® provides with the guidelines of Ayurveda”.
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– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)
Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®
Diet in Conjunctivitis
Do’s (Pathya)
- Practice good hygiene
- Wash hands regularly
- Use clean towels daily.
- Change pillow covers at regular intervals
- Old barley, wheat, green gram, etc.
- Green leafy vegetables
- Pomegranate
- Rock salt
- Triphala
- Dried grapes
Don’ts (Apathya)
- Touching eyes with unclean hands.
- Sharing towels with others
- Sharing personal eye care items like contact lenses, spectacles, etc.
- Suppression of natural urges like tears, sneezing, cough, etc.
- Heavy and hard to digest food
- Day sleep
- Mental stress, anxiety, anger, etc.
Yoga and Pranayama for Conjunctivitis
Yoga postures help to strengthen eye muscles and to relieve stress and strain on the eyes. Following postures may help to sharpen the eyes:
- Savasana
- Sarvangasana
- Shirshasana
- Bhujangasana
- Suryanamaskar
Pranayama helps to relax the eye muscles and to release stress and strain. It helps to increase blood circulation to the eyes. Yoga and Pranayama can be practiced after relieving the contagious stage of conjunctivitis to empower eye muscles and functioning.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Conjunctivitis
Ayurveda suggests safe and effective treatment modalities for ayurvedic treatment of conjunctivitis. It includes internal medicines, external therapies, and the purification process.
Internal Medicines
- Amrutha Shadangam Kashayam
- Amrutottara Kashayam
- Guluchyadi Kwatham
- Aragwadharishtam
- Punarnavasavam
- Sudarshan Churna
- Triphala Churna
- Chandraprabha Gulika
- Kaisora Guggulu Gulika
External Medicines
- Triphala Kwatha
- Yashti Triphala Kwatham
- Manjishtadi Kwatham
- Mridwikadi Kwath
- Mukkadi Purampada Gulika
Treatment Procedures
- Dhara (Pouring medicated liquids over eyes)
- Kshalana (Washing out eyes to remove secretion)
- Aschyotana (Eye drops)
- Bidalaka (Application of medicinal paste over eyelids)
- Gandusha (Holding medicated liquids in mouth)
Purification Therapies
- Virechana (Purgation)
- Raktamoksha (Blood-letting)
- Nasya (Nasal instillation)
Single Herbs for Conjunctivitis
- Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia)
- Darvi (Coscinium fenestratum)
- Haridra (Curcuma longa)
- Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Sigru (Moringa oleifera)
- Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)