Urine as eyewash? Why doctors are warning against the health trend – Firstpost

We’ve all seen strange wellness trends pop up online, but this one might just take the cake.

A bizarre video recently went viral featuring Nupur Pittie, a woman from Pune who identifies herself on Instagram as a “medicine-free life coach.” In the clip, she’s seen using her own urine to rinse her eyes, confidently claiming that the practice is medicinal and helps heal various eye issues.

In the video, Pittie demonstrates her eye-care routine in detail while listing the supposed benefits of the practice, like reduced dryness, redness, and irritation.

As you might expect, the move has led to massive outrage on social media, with health professionals stepping in to strongly warn against such practices.

So what exactly did she say, and what do doctors think? Let’s break it down.

What exactly did Nupur Pittie claim?

In the now-viral video, Nupur Pittie guides viewers through what she calls her “morning eye wash” routine—using her own urine. She introduces the method under the title “Urine Eye Wash – Nature’s Own Medicine.”

Pittie explains that the process involves collecting fresh, midstream urine and pouring it into a special eye cup. From there, she recommends blinking into the liquid continuously for about 4 to 5 minutes. After that, she suggests gently dabbing the eyes with a warm towel for another 2 to 3 minutes.

She claims the practice is deeply rooted in natural healing and describes urine as “your own body’s creation” that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy.

Please don’t put your urine inside your eyes. Urine is not sterile.

Boomer aunties trying to be cool on Instagram is depressing…and terrifying.

Source: https://t.co/SQ5cmpSOfY pic.twitter.com/qgryL9YHfI

— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) June 25, 2025

“It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and detoxifying agent,” she says in the clip. “Used as a gentle eye rinse, it can help reduce redness, dryness, irritation, and even support long-term clarity.”

She also advises people to be mindful during the process: “Always use clean hands, fresh midstream, and full awareness. Your body knows how to heal itself — sometimes, you just need to get out of the way.”

The video racked up over 1.5 lakh views in 24 hours, sparking a wave of criticism and concern online. However, after the backlash, it was deleted.

Doctors warn against using the ‘urine eyewash’

Dr Jaison Philip, a urologist, tweeted, “NEVER! NEVER! NEVER DO THIS! Urine always belongs in the toilet—never elsewhere. Don’t harm yourself.”

He added that while the pH of normal human urine ranges from 5.5 to 6.5 (acidic), the ideal pH for eye wash solutions is around 7.4 (alkaline). “Using urine as an eyewash can cause anything from inflammation to vision loss,” he wrote.

Multi-award-winning hepatologist from Kerala, Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, known online as The Liver Doc, also reposted the video on X, urging people not to follow such advice, “Please don’t put your urine inside your eyes. Urine is not sterile,” he wrote, adding, “Boomer aunties trying to be cool on Instagram is depressing… and terrifying.”

People also reacted with shock and anger to the clip.

One person commented, “Why why why? How do people justify putting the body’s waste back into the body?”

While another added, “Someone tell this aunty that the first urine of the morning actually contains more bacteria than urine passed later in the day. Why? Because it sits in the bladder overnight, giving bacteria more time to multiply. Putting that into your eyes isn’t just misguided—it’s downright dangerous.”

Urine as a remedy? Think again

In Ayurveda, urine was once believed to help with everything from asthma and allergies to digestive issues, wrinkles, and even cancer. But in modern medicine, those claims don’t hold up.

Most of the supposed benefits of urine therapy come from anecdotal evidence or references in ancient texts. There’s no solid scientific proof to support its effectiveness. What we do know, however, is that using urine as a home remedy can come with real health risks.

To put it simply, urine is a waste product. It’s mostly water—about 95 per cent—but the remaining 5 per cent includes things your body is actively trying to get rid of, like urea (formed by the liver when breaking down proteins), creatinine (from muscle activity), and various salts.

In other words, there’s nothing medicinal about it.

Urine also has a slightly acidic pH, which can disturb the tear film—the thin, protective layer that keeps your eyes lubricated. According to an India Today report citing a medical expert, rinsing your eyes with urine strips away this layer and replaces it with a fluid that contains waste. This could lead to redness, irritation, and even serious infections like conjunctivitis or keratitis.

Skin contact isn’t risk-free either.

“Urine isn’t sterile and can introduce bacteria, especially if the skin is already inflamed,” warned Dr Garima Tyagi, a dermatologist at SENS Clinics, in an interview with NDTV.

She noted that while medically formulated creams with urea can safely hydrate and exfoliate the skin, using raw urine is unhygienic and potentially harmful. “Applying urine to your face can lead to breakouts, irritation and infections—it’s waste material, not skincare,” she said.

And if the urine isn’t fresh or the person has an underlying condition like a urinary tract infection, the risks become even more serious.

Bottom line? Before jumping on any bizarre wellness trend, it’s always safer, and smarter, to talk to a doctor first.

With input from agencies