A Traditional Ayurvedic Therapy for Eye Nourishment and Vision Care
Akshitarpan (also called Netra Tarpana) is a classical Ayurvedic eye treatment focused on nourishing and strengthening the eyes.
A ring made of herbal dough is placed around the eyes and filled with warm, medicated ghee or oil, allowing the eyes to soak in it for a specific time.
It helps relieve eye strain, dryness, fatigue, and irritation, improves vision, and supports eye muscles and nerves.
The therapy rejuvenates eye tissues, provides antioxidants, and balances the doshas, promoting long-term eye health.
Akshitarpan is a traditional Ayurvedic eye therapy that nourishes, soothes, and strengthens the eyes. The treatment is carried out in three well-defined stages to ensure safety, comfort, and effectiveness.
Purvakarma
This is the preparatory stage where the body and mind are made ready for the main treatment.
First, an experienced Ayurvedic doctor examines the patient’s eye condition along with their overall health. Based on this assessment, the doctor decides the most suitable medicated ghee or oil and the duration of therapy.
Next, all materials are prepared. The medicated ghee, commonly Triphala Ghrita, is gently warmed to a lukewarm temperature. A soft but firm dough, usually made from black gram flour, is prepared to create a leak-proof boundary around the eyes.
The patient is then made to lie down comfortably in a clean, calm, and well-lit room. A gentle massage of the face and neck is done to relax the muscles, followed by mild steam to improve circulation. The patient is also advised to empty their bowels and bladder before the procedure for complete comfort.
Pradhanakarma
This is the core stage of Akshitarpan where the actual eye nourishment takes place.
The prepared dough is carefully shaped into a circular ring and placed around each eye, ensuring it fits securely and does not allow leakage. Once the seal is firm, the lukewarm medicated ghee is slowly poured into the ring. The eyes are completely immersed, and the ghee level is kept above the eyelashes.
During this time, the patient is asked to slowly open and close their eyes at intervals. This helps the medicated ghee reach all parts of the eye surface. The retention time depends on the condition being treated and the body constitution, usually ranging from ten to thirty minutes.
Paschatkarma
This final stage focuses on cleansing and protecting the eyes after treatment.
Once the required time is completed, the ghee is gently removed by creating a small opening in the dough ring near the outer corner of the eye. The area around the eyes is then cleaned softly using lukewarm water or herbal solutions.
To balance the Kapha that may increase due to the oily nature of ghee, supportive therapies like nasal drops or herbal fumigation may be advised. The patient is asked to rest and avoid bright lights, dust, wind, air conditioning, and screen exposure for some time. A light and easy-to-digest diet is also recommended to support healing.
Purvakarma
This is the preparatory stage where the body and mind are made ready for the main treatment.
First, an experienced Ayurvedic doctor examines the patient’s eye condition along with their overall health. Based on this assessment, the doctor decides the most suitable medicated ghee or oil and the duration of therapy.
Next, all materials are prepared. The medicated ghee, commonly Triphala Ghrita, is gently warmed to a lukewarm temperature. A soft but firm dough, usually made from black gram flour, is prepared to create a leak-proof boundary around the eyes.
The patient is then made to lie down comfortably in a clean, calm, and well-lit room. A gentle massage of the face and neck is done to relax the muscles, followed by mild steam to improve circulation. The patient is also advised to empty their bowels and bladder before the procedure for complete comfort.
Pradhanakarma
This is the core stage of Akshitarpan where the actual eye nourishment takes place.
The prepared dough is carefully shaped into a circular ring and placed around each eye, ensuring it fits securely and does not allow leakage. Once the seal is firm, the lukewarm medicated ghee is slowly poured into the ring. The eyes are completely immersed, and the ghee level is kept above the eyelashes.
During this time, the patient is asked to slowly open and close their eyes at intervals. This helps the medicated ghee reach all parts of the eye surface. The retention time depends on the condition being treated and the body constitution, usually ranging from ten to thirty minutes.
Paschatkarma
This final stage focuses on cleansing and protecting the eyes after treatment.
Once the required time is completed, the ghee is gently removed by creating a small opening in the dough ring near the outer corner of the eye. The area around the eyes is then cleaned softly using lukewarm water or herbal solutions.
To balance the Kapha that may increase due to the oily nature of ghee, supportive therapies like nasal drops or herbal fumigation may be advised. The patient is asked to rest and avoid bright lights, dust, wind, air conditioning, and screen exposure for some time. A light and easy-to-digest diet is also recommended to support healing.
Akshitarpan is classified into two types: Classification by Condition & Duration and Classification by Dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
The medicated substance (ghee/oil) is chosen based on the underlying imbalance:
Soothes tired eyes from prolonged screen time, digital use, and stress.
Strengthens optic nerves and muscles, enhancing visual clarity and acuity.
Alleviates dryness, redness, itching, and burning sensations.
Helps delay age-related issues like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Improves circulation around the eyes, diminishing signs of fatigue.
Nourishes eye muscles and nerves for better performance and longevity.
Pacifies aggravated Vata and Pitta, often linked to eye problems.
Draws out impurities, leaving eyes clearer and healthier.
Offers relaxation and reduces mental stress.
Akshitarpan is an ancient Ayurvedic eye therapy described in classical texts such as the Charaka Samhita.
It involves immersing the eyes in warm, medicated ghee to nourish, rejuvenate, and strengthen ocular tissues.
The therapy was originally developed to counter eye strain caused by manual labor and prolonged sunlight exposure, and is equally relevant for modern screen-related strain.
A dough boundary (dam) is carefully created around the eye socket to retain the medicinal clarified butter during the procedure.
The treatment helps improve vision and strengthen eye structures by deeply soothing and nourishing the tissues.
Akshitarpan is effective in relieving dryness, fatigue, irritation, and discomfort of the eyes.
The term “Akshi” means eye, and “Tarpana” means nourishment or rejuvenation, reflecting the therapy’s core purpose.
It follows a holistic Ayurvedic approach, aiming to balance doshas and support conditions like eye fatigue, dryness, and myopia.
Akshitarpan is used for both preventive and curative purposes. It helps in
