Home remedies are used for a variety of ailments. Some home remedies may work. Others may not provide any relief from the ailment they claim to treat. Some home remedies can be downright dangerous.

Some people claim that saliva is a natural cure for pink eye. The recommended use of saliva as a cure for pink eye begins with making sure the mouth is clean. There should be no food particles, toothpaste, or mouthwash in the mouth. Some people brush their teeth and then rinse the mouth thoroughly before using saliva for pink eye.

Saliva used as a natural cure for pink eye should only be from the same person who has the pink eye. According to claims of this natural pink eye home remedy, rubbing saliva into the eyes affected by pink eye just once will clear the pink eye within twenty-four hours.

Saliva in itself is not considered harmful to the eyes. In fact, research is being done to use a transplantation of saliva glands to the eyes for treatment of severe cases of dry eyes. The real problem lies in that saliva can contain bacteria and flora from the mouth. Some cases of conjunctivitis in adolescents have been linked to their use of saliva to wet contact lenses. Perhaps making sure the mouth is clean may be enough to reduce the risk of further bacterial infection, but there is still a risk.

Another pink eye home remedy claims that a solution made from water and Borax is a natural cure for pink eye. Borax is known to cause serious eye irritation if it has contact with the eyes. The package warns to avoid getting Borax in the eyes. Therefore, applying Borax to the eyes is not recommended. This home remedy may have resulted from a misunderstanding. Some remedies for pink eye use boric acid, which is not the same as Borax. Because information about pink eye home remedies is passed from person to person, it makes the remedies susceptible to mistakes and misunderstandings.

Anyone with pink eye should be careful when deciding whether or not to try a natural cure for pink eye. Any home remedy for pink eye that involves putting something into the eye should be critically considered before attempting. The person needs to judge whether that substance is safe. A person considering using such a home remedy for pink eye should consult a doctor about its safety.

Until more research is done to identify home remedies that work, most people rely on knowledge passed on by friends, family, folklore, or the Internet. Research on home remedies is not a high priority since research on medical treatments is usually funded by medical organizations or pharmaceutical companies.