Some treatments are being misused or falsely marketed under the Ayurveda label. Proper Ayurvedic care is highly specialised and rooted in ancient science.
Published Aug 01, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 01, 2025 | 8:00 AM
Ayurveda practitioners defended Netra Basti, insisting that it has therapeutic value when performed properly by certified professionals. (Representational pic/iStock).
Synopsis: Allopathy and Ayurveda practitioners are divided over the efficacy of Netra Basti, a treatment that claims to nourish and relieve stress in the eyes. While advocates of modern medicine see red in the treatment, those following Ayurveda see it as part of the ancient system of medicine, which applied by qualified hands, provides health benefits.
A ghee bath to the eyes has once again pitted allopathy doctors against Ayurveda practitioners.
Known as Netra Basti in Ayurveda, the ‘bathing’ process is claimed to nourish and relieve the strain on the eyes. Allopathy doctors, however, are a worried lot. The immediate trigger for concern was a video of a woman undergoing Netra Basti , which showed ghee/oil being poured into a dough ‘dam’ around her eyes.
Dr Jaison Philip, a Urologist who shared the video on X (previously Twitter), was among those who warned against the practice.
“This ‘Netra Basti ‘ treatment given by some Ayurvedic practitioners can lead to corneal injury, devastating infection, or serious allergies — loss of vision due to contact with warmed ghee or oil,” he warned.
“Don’t trust this harmful practice. It does not cure cataract, dryness, myopia, or any other eye problem. When you have an eye problem, visit a qualified ophthalmologist,” he further stated.
Netra Basti is part of Ayurveda. However, its growing popularity, especially in wellness circles hungry for ancient healing rituals, has made it outpace regulations as the traditional system became commercialised, repackaged, and often diluted for profit.
While allopathy doctors echoed Dr. Philip’s concerns, Ayurveda practitioners defended Netra Basti, insisting that it has therapeutic value when performed properly by certified professionals. They emphasised that such treatments are rooted in ancient Vedic texts and need to be respected, not misused.
Dr Suhasini S, an Ophthalmologist at MGM Healthcare in Chennai, said treatments like Netra Basti are risky and misleading. In this procedure, warm ghee or oil is poured into a dough ring around the eyes. Some claim it can treat cataracts, nearsightedness, and dry eyes.
“This can harm the eyes,” she said. The skin around the eyes is extremely sensitive, and heat from the oil can burn it. On top of that, she warned, many oils used in these treatments are not properly tested or made under safe conditions.
Even when the eyes are closed, oil can leak through and touch the inner eye, especially the cornea, the clear front part that helps focus vision.
“There is a risk of bacterial, fungal, and sometimes even parasitic infections,” she said. These infections can happen if the oil is not clean or safe. Dr Suhasini said she has seen patients suffering from burns and allergic reactions after undergoing such treatments.
In some cases, the strong ingredients in ayurvedic oils or drops made the issues worse.
She also explained why these treatments don’t work. Cataracts happen when proteins in the lens of the eye break down with age. No oil or outside treatment can reverse it.
“There is no way that application of oil helps in reversing cataract as it is purely a degenerative condition,” she said. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is caused by the shape of the eye itself. “Once it is enlarged, it is going to be enlarged,” she said. No external remedy can shrink the eyeball back to normal.
This 'Netra Basti' treatment given by some Ayurvedic Practitioners, can lead to corneal injury, devastating infection or serious allergies- loss of vision due to contact with warmed Ghee or Oil. Don't trust this harmful practice. It does not cure cataract, dryness, Myopia or any… pic.twitter.com/DA1RswNYI2
— Dr Jaison Philip. M.S., MCh (@Jasonphilip8) July 29, 2025
“A lot of people also use castor oil for growing eyelashes. It is also not recommended,” she said. When the oil gets into the eye, it can cause chemical injuries. Even worse, it can block the meibomian glands — tiny oil-producing glands along the eyelid that help keep the eyes moist.
“It can clog the pores and cause infections like lid swellings, dry eyes, or blepharitis,” she added.
Dr Suhasini also noted that ayurvedic medicines often don’t list out their contents. “The constitution of the medication is neither assessed nor documented,” she said.
Unlike regular medicines, which have labels, doses, expiry dates, and safety checks, Ayurvedic treatments are often vague. Without knowing the contents of a medicine, patients would not be able to know its side effects or risks.
“Not everything fits everybody,” she added, warning that some people may react badly to unknown ingredients.
She called for better awareness. With so many people turning to “natural” or “healing” treatments, Dr Suhasini said it is easy to fall for trends without checking the facts.
“People should approach health holistically, but they should also stay informed, know the diagnosis, understand the treatment, and be aware of the risks,” she said.
Her advice: If something is wrong with your eyes, go to an eye doctor. “You need proper medical guidance, not outdated or untested treatments.”
Dr Reshma Kannoth, Medical Officer at Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Shala’s Kallai Branch in Kerala’s Kozhikode, said that most criticisms of Ayurvedic treatments come from the infamous “anti-Ayurveda bias” within the allopathic medical community.
Netra Basti is a legitimate and time-tested therapy, often misunderstood or misrepresented by modern medicine. “This is not some random spa treatment, it’s a part of our classical Ayurvedic system,” she said, adding that success stories from patients support its effectiveness when done correctly.
She acknowledged that some treatments are being misused or falsely marketed under the Ayurveda label. “That’s not Ayurveda,” she asserted. Proper Ayurvedic care is highly specialised and rooted in ancient science.
Dr Kannoth said that products by reputable Ayurvedic companies come with clear labels, expiry dates, manufacturing details, and often the composition. “Look closely, it’s all there,” the doctor added. She also mentioned that some ingredients, like ghee, mature with age and are not always treated the same way as chemical drugs.
The doctor also explained that Ayurveda is not a one-size-fits-all system. It has specialised branches for different parts of the body. She mentioned a treatment called Shalakyatantra, used for eye and ENT disorders. She also cited examples of patients, written off by allopathic doctors, recovering through Ayurvedic methods.
“They may not be fully recovered, but many have regained at least 75 percent of their ability,” she said. For her, the issue is not the failure of Ayurveda; it is the misinformation surrounding it, which itself is also another anti-Ayurveda propaganda.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
