Treating Pink Eye - Essential Oils

So, my 1-year old little boy came down with a case of pink eye (conjunctivitis), which he so lovingly decided to share with his mama. Here's a recipe a came up with and seemed to work. Please note, I'm not a doctor and this is just a recommendation that worked for our family.

PREVENT SPREADING:
If you suspect someone in your family has pink eye, wash hands frequently, keep the infected eye clean with a warm wash cloth (use a new one each time), and use basic sanitation methods to prevent spreading. Basic sanitation may include disinfecting door knobs and faucets. I usually use 1 part water to 1 part white distilled vinegar (best stuff in the world!). If you're not sure what pink eye is, Web MD has a great description.

If this is your first time working with oils, you should know that oils affect people in different ways ranging from "very effective" to "no effect." Also, this recipe does call for lavender, which some people find they are allergic to. If in doubt, test on a small area of your hand to make sure. In cases where you are sensitive to the oil, find an alternative that will accomplish your purpose.

1 tsp olive oil

1-2 drops lavender

1-2 drops melaleuca (can also substitute eucalyptus or oregano)

2 drops frankincense

**Please avoid using oregano on eye area for younger children since this is considered a "hot" oil and will burn them easily.

Mix all ingredients in a glass cup or bowl. Dip cotton ball into mixture and apply around the eye. Use one cotton per eye for each application. I found that by diluting the solution, direct contact to the eye area doesn't seem to burn. However, I would still use caution when doing this for your small child. Application only around the eye socket can also be done.

Do this procedure 2-4 times a day along with rubbing the big toe and the next two toes of each foot with the same solution. It is also important to smell the oil solution. Smelling the oils allows your body to recognize which oils you are applying and put it to work! The pink eye cleared up significantly after the first day and cleared completely by the 3rd day. Continue to treat for 2-3 days after the pink eye clears to be safe.

It is also recommended that at night eucalyptus should be switched to oregano for application to the feet.

Everything Essentials is a great website for using oils. It was a great resource when trying to figure out the best combination of oils.

**If you use this recipe, please leave a comment and let me know what your outcome was. I'm curious if this was helpful for others.**