Use Herbal Eyebright extract for wide range of eye conditions

* I am interested in getting the Herbal Eyebright that you have recommended in your column.

I have tried to obtain the herb mix from the websites you recommend but they don’t have the herbal mix to brew into tea and for bathing the eyes. Can you help?

>> The Herbal Eyebright combination developed by Dr John R. Christopher, used both internally and externally, has helped with a wide range of eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, and blepharitis.

I decided to use this formulation myself — since it is reported to help correct vision issues, and I am short-sighted. I put together the individual herbs (bayberry bark, eyebright, goldenseal root, raspberry leaf, and cayenne) and prepared it in the designated ratio. It is a little bit fiddly to prepare and strain the tea as an eyewash, and the tea is fairly unpleasant to drink. The eyewash creates a stinging sensation and the eye will appear bloodshot, but it is relatively brief, and worth persevering with.

When I finished the packet of herbs, I switched to the Herbal Eyebright extract available from www.vitalerbs.com. It’s best to begin with the extract. It is far easier to use.

As an eyewash, shake the bottle well, add 3-5 drops into a sterile eyecup, pour in boiling water almost to the rim, and let the solution cool to room temperature. Use a separate eyecup for each eye. Press against the eye, forming a seal, and tilt the head back while blinking. After using it three times a day for a while, I found that just once before bed was sufficient (and easier!). Internally, take 10-15 drops of the extract three times a day — about an hour before meals.

* I am looking for information on how to dissolve gallstones naturally. Many years ago I did a liver flush and I was thinking that this might be the way to go until I was diagnosed with stomach ulcers, so Epsom salts may not be recommended. I am not on any medication for ulcers, I rarely have any bother from them as I am inclined to watch my diet carefully.

>> Gallstones can indeed be broken down and passed easily using natural remedies. The product I recommend is the South American rainforest herb Quebra pedra (Phyllanthus niruri, also known as Chanca piedra), which has been tested and proven to be effective without any known side-effects or contra-indications.

Quebra pedra works by breaking down the stones, reducing inflammation, and relieving muscle spasms. It can be taken as a tea or in capsule form (I prefer the capsules myself!). Rio Health’s Quebra pedra teabags and capsules are available from health stores or Here’s Health (www.hereshealth.ie; 021-4278101) where the tea costs €8.48 for 40 x 1500mg teabags, and the capsules cost €24.55 for 90 x 500mg capsules. Take as directed.

As for the stomach ulcers, I wonder if you have tried Mastic gum? Research shows that the spiral-shaped bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is present in almost all cases of stomach ulcers. H. pylori surrounds itself with ammonia as protection from the acidic environment and burrows into the lining of the stomach, causing inflammation and ulceration as a result.

Mastic gum, the resin of the Pistacia lentiscus tree, works by eliminating H. pylori while restoring digestive function and reducing gut inflammation. Mastika, a supplement containing 500mg of mastic gum, costs €21.09 for 60 capsules and can also be purchased from health stores.

You will need to take 1500mg of mastic gum each night before bed for one month, and then reduce this dosage to 1000mg for the following month.

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