Sties are pimple-like sores that occur on the eyelids and are caused by bacteria, usually staphylococcus, which is commonly found on human skin. Sties are painful and can grow to the size of a normal pimple. The two best ways to keep sties from developing are good hand washing and maintaining a healthy immune system.
The most recommended remedy for sties is placing a warm compress (dampen a washcloth with hot water) over the infected area for 15 minutes several times a day.
Place a moist nonherbal tea bag over your closed eye, secure it with tape or a bandage, and leave it on overnight.
Prepare a cup of fennel tea (add 1-2 teaspoons of crushed fennel seeds to 1 cup of hot water, steep for 5 minutes, and strain). Soak a washcloth in it (while it is warm) and apply it over the sty, with your eye closed, for 10-15 minutes. Do this at least 2 times a day.
Pour 1 cup of hot water over a handful of fresh parsley and let it steep for 10 minutes. Soak a washcloth in the warm mixture and place it over your closed eye for 15 minutes. Not only is this remedy good for sties, it will also help eliminate puffiness.
Steep a tea bag with roasted-bancha leaves (you can buy at most health food stores) for 10 minutes in hot water and add 1 teaspoon of sea salt to it. Soak a cotton pad in the mixture once the temperature is lukewarm and place it over your closed eye for 10 minutes. Do this 3 times a day.
Prepare a cup of raspberry leaf tea (add 1-2 teaspoons of dried raspberry leaf to 1 cup of hot water and steep for 10 minutes). Fill an eyewash cup with the tea (while it is lukewarm), place the cup firmly around your eye, throw back your head, circulate the tea by rolling your eyeball around, bring your head back down, take away the cup, and gently dab your eye without drying it completely. Raspberry leaf is an antibiotic herb that is gentle and won't sting your eye.
Never attempt to squeeze or pop sties. This can cause the bacteria to enter your eye. If none of the above sty remedies help, visit your doctor.
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