Natural Cures for Cataracts
If you’ve ever driven through heavy fog or tried to see through a frost-covered windshield, you can imagine what cataracts are like–except that your vision doesn’t clear when you reach your destination. Some people accept cataracts as part of aging, but blurred and diminished eyesight is not inevitable.
Cataracts are most often caused by overexposure to the sun, but other factors can contribute to them: cigarette smoking, heredity, injury, diabetes, and some medications, such as corticosteroid nasal sprays. Sugar plays a role in the formation of cataracts, but it might do so only for people with diabetes.
Cataracts aren’t painful. They usually develop slowly, starting with blurred vision, spots, and the impression that a film is covering the eyes. People with cataracts also tend to see a lot of halos around lights and glare from lamps and the sun; they sometimes have double vision. Eventually, cataracts can lead to blindness. Fortunately, they can be caught early–if you get your eyes checked regularly.
HERBAL REMEDIES
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
These berries have a long tradition of use in improving vision and protecting the eyes from disease. The fruits of this tree contain high amounts of anthocyanosides and antioxidants, nutrients that can prevent clouding of the eyes. Typical dosage: two to three standardized capsules per day. (Bilberries are closely related to blueberries, cranberries, and hucklberries, which also contain anthocyanosides. It’s a great excuse to eat these berries daily).
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
This common culinary herb contains a variety of powerful antioxidants. It’s worth trying, though no formal studies have shown rosemary’s effectiveness in preventing cataracts. Typical dosage: James A. Duke, Ph.D., author of The Green Pharmacy, recommends one cup of tea made from rosemary, catnip, and lemon balm each day (steep 1 teaspoon of a blend of equal parts of the dried herbs in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes).
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
This spice is packed with antioxidants, especially the big three that have already been shown to prevent cataracts: vitamin A,C, and E. Curcumin, the main component of this seasoning, has also been shown to prevent cataracts in animals. Typical dosage: up to 1 teaspoon per day in food; or 250 to 500 milligrams of standardized capsules up to three times per day.
GETTING YOUR DAILY ANTIOXIDANTS
Planning your diet around antioxidant content is a good thing to do even if your high-risk years for cataracts are far away. And you don’t even have to memorize a list. Just aim for color: greens (leafy and cruciferous veggies), oranges (the fruit named for the color as well as sweet potatoes); yellows (squashes and bananas); reds (apples, cabbages, and beets); and purples (eggplants, peppers, asparagus, and beans). Some of the herbs in the lists below can also be eaten as leafy greens.
Herbs High in Vitamin A
*Dandelion leaves
*Purslane leaves
*Turmeric
Herbs High in Vitamin C
*Parsley
*Rose hips
*Turmeric
Herbs and Foods High in Vitamin E
*Nuts and seeds
*Turmeric
*Whole grains
PROTECTING YOUR VISION
Cataracts are one of those disorders that require surgery to correct. The lens of your eye is what allows you to focus and image on the back of your eyeball;when the lens is damaged, the image is flawed. Clouding of the lens results from oxidative damage that causes the proteins of the lens to clump.
Several studies have suggested that antioxidants, particularly vitamins A, C, and E, may reduce cataract risk. But because these studies are not conclusive, check with your doctor if you want to use these vitamins for this purpose.
Wearing hats and the right kind of sunglasses can also help, because they block the sun’s ultraviolet rays. And if you smoke, quit; cigarettes contribute to a number of oxidative processes in the body.