A mother’s eyes are the first windows through which a newborn perceives love, warmth and security. New mother reflects many sleepless nights, boundly joy, silent worries and unspoken connection with her child. However, in the whirlwind of pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood, the health of mother’s eyes is often overlooked.
In Ayurveda, the eyes are considered “Tejas Indriya”, governed by Pitta Dosha. The Ayurveda ancient texts describe the eyes as a direct reflection of the subtle essence of vitality i.e. Ojas. When a woman transits into motherhood, this Ojas, leaving her vulnerable to vision disturbances, fatigue, dryness in eyes and even long-term degenerative effects. Ayurveda offers deep yet practical solutions to preserve and rejuvenate eye health of mother, ensuring that her gaze remains as vibrant as her soul.
Ayurvedic approach on Maternal Eye Health
Pregnancy and postpartum life bring many physiological shits that directly impact vision:
- Weakning of Ojas in the Eyes– Loss of essential vitality after childbirth leads to blurry vision, eye fatigue, dark circles and sensitivity to light.
- The Hidden cause of Eye irritation– Increased hormonal shifts and stress lead to excess Pitta, which causes burning eyes, dryness, irritation. This is the reason why many new mother’s experience increased screen sensitivity, red eyes and discomfort in bright light.
- Vata Imbalance– The exhaustion of labour and postpartum recovery leads to Vata aggravation which leads to poor circulation, weakened nerve function and strain on optic nerves. This imbalance of Dosha causes dizziness, poor night vision after delivery.
- Blood Impurities and Anemia Linked Vision problems– Iron and nutrient deficiencies during postpartum leads to impact on retina, causing blurry vision, floaters and poor contrast perception. Many mothers mistake there symptoms for sleep deprivation but actually what they need is Ayurvedic nourishment and detoxification.
Understanding root causes allows for deep healing rather them temporary relief.
Some Rituals to Strengthen a Mother’s Eyesight-
- Rasayana – Golden Nourishment
Ayurvedic Rasayanas plays a crucial role in building eye strength and vision clarity.
- Triphala Ghrita – Triphala powder infused in ghee – detoxifies the eyes, restores tear film balance, and moisturizes the eyes.
- Shatavari and Guduchi– These herbs combat stress induced eye fatigue and restore hormonal balance.
- Cow Ghee – Taking 1 tablespoon of Cow Ghee mixed in warm glass of milk strengthens the optic nerve and improves visual sharpness.
- The Queen of Ayurvedic Eye Therapy- Aschyotana
- Placing 2 drops in each eye at bedtime lubricates, give cooling effect and improves visual sharpness.
- For new mothers, this therapy works wonders against postpartum eyestrain, floaters and dryness caused by breast feeding and lack of sleep.
- Cooling and hydrating Diet:
A Pitta pacifying diet prevents inflammation and keeps the eyes refreshed:
- Amla, a divine drug for eyesight, packed with Vitamin C and rejuvenating power.
- Drinking Fennel and Coriander water, detoxifies the liver which is the seat of Pitta, directly benefiting eyesight.
- Soaked Raisins and Almonds, strengthens the retina and prevents postpartum vision weakness.
- Rose and saffron infused milk, gives soothing effect to eyes and nourishes the nervous system.
What to Avoid?
- New mother should avoid spicy, deep-fried foods, excessive caffeine, and refined sugar, as they aggravate dehydrated eyes, inflammation and eye fatigue.
Yoga: A Path to Clear Vision
- Trataka (Flame Gazing) – Fixing the gaze on Deepak filled with Ghee, stimulates the optic nerves and enhances focus.
- Palming – Rub your palms together and place them over eyes to rejuvenate tired eye muscles and to get instant relief in eye stress.
- Bharamari Pranayam (Humming Bee breath) – This ancient breathing technique soothes mental stress, enhances visual acuity and increases ocular circulation.
Magic of Shirodhara
- It involves gently pouring warm herbal oil over forehead which calm the nervous system and nourishes the optic nerve.
- Also improves sleep, reduces headaches.
The Spiritual Significance
Ayurveda doesn’t merely view the eyes as a organ of sight but as the seat of perception, wisdom and intuition. Mother’s eyes are sacred channel through which her child receives love, safety and wisdom. A newborn’s world is built through the first loving gaze, which is the most beautiful unspoken bond. Protecting maternal eye health is not about only preventing fatigue and dryness. It is about preserving the connection between mother and child.
