The Secret behind Cleopatra's Eye Makeup

Researchers now believe that Egyptians applied the eyeliner 4,000 years ago in order to ward off infections.

Lead salts in the make-up helped to protect against eye disease, the French study claims.

The "smokey eyes" look favoured by ancient Egyptians such as Cleopatra is one of the most enduring in fashion.

Their study, published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, suggests it helped to protect against eye disease.

The key appears to be lead salts contained in the make-up which boosts the immune system to fight off bacteria which can cause eye infection.The make-up used by the ancient Egyptians to darken and enhance the eyes sometimes took up to a month to concoct.

In theory, because it contained lead it might actually have posed a risk to health.

But an analysis by scientists led by Philippe Walter showed that at low doses it had a protective effect.

He said: "We knew ancients Greeks and Romans too had noted the make-up had medicinal properties, but wanted to determine exactly how."

The researchers used a tiny electrode, a 10th of the thickness of a human hair, to look at the effect of lead chloride salt synthesised by the Egyptians – laurionite – on a single cell.

"In stimulating non-specific immunological defences, one may argue that these lead compounds were deliberately manufactured and used in ancient Egyptian formulations to prevent and treat eye illnesses by promoting the action of immune cells," they said.

It is also thought that Galena, the natural mineral form of lead sulphite, was used as eye make up known as kohl and possesses antiseptic and fly-deterrent properties as well as protecting the eyes from intense sun.

Egyptian eye exercise

Egyptian eye exercise for eye vision correction

Lazy Eight
Egyptian black dot exercise
Egyptian letter gazing exercise

Practice these eye exercise techniques 2 or 3 times a week. Take 2 or 3 day rest between each eye session, depending on the energy level. The day after the first eye routine the eye muscles may be sore; do not worry. The "soreness" will gradually leave. Soreness means that it have "worked-out" weak eye muscles lying dormant for many years. The rest period between each eye exercise session is also important. During periods of rest the eyes and body heal and rebuild, imparting strength and health. Never wear glasses while performing eye exercises. If able to move around without glasses, do so when start this program.

"Lazy Eight" Neck Loosening Exercise

It is a Pre-Eye Exercise Warm-Up Technique. Performing the lazy eight exercise slowly and smoothly loosens the back of the neck, calms the nervous system, and enables to focus the eyes clearly. Simply draw imaginary "eights" with the nose, while moving the head. Large "figure-eights" drawn with the nose helps to relax the larger muscles of the eyes, while tiny "figure eights" relax the smaller muscles of the eyes.

How to do
Draw figure eights with the nose; move the head slowly and smoothly. Vary the "figure eights" by drawing them vertically, then horizontally. Draw large ones and finally tiny "figure eights." Perform them in both directions -- right to left and left to right; top to bottom and bottom to top. Spend at least three minutes on this exercise.

The Lazy Eight Neck Exercise is performed first in routine because it relaxes the neck muscles and allows fresh blood to flow to the eyes and brain. It prepares for the rest of the eye routine and insures greater success in improving the vision. The eye exercises that follow, if practiced regularly and consistently, can help bring the vision back to 20-20 and beyond! Perform the eye exercises with joy and relaxation. Results will be forthcoming.

Egyptian Black Dot Technique

Part I

First prepare the Black Dot on a 2 - 3 white card. (Do not move the head; move the card only--in and out) Draw a Black Dot about the size of a button on the card with black ink. If have trouble seeing close (farsightedness) does not perform this first part of the Black Dot Technique. Perform the second part only below. Hold the card in front of the eyes. Next, move card to the tip of the nose and gaze at the black dot for 30 seconds. Must see only one dot. If two dots are seen, move the card away from the nose until only see one dot. After 30 seconds move the card straight out in front of the eyes, then rest and close the eyes for a few seconds. Next, raise the card up between eyebrows and gaze at the dot for 30 seconds. Move the card as close as possible to see only one dot. And then rest for a few seconds. Be sure that only see one dot; this means that both eyes are working together. Be persistent and consistent and the results are amazing. Remember to breathe gently, deeply and naturally.

Part II
While keeping the head straight, move the black dot to the right shoulder and gaze at it for 30 seconds. Then, move dot to the left shoulder and gaze at it for 30 seconds. Close eyes and rest. Farsighted people can perform this shoulder to shoulder Black Dot Exercise with great benefit. The Black Dot Techniques make the eye muscles focus in positions it does not normally focus in. This helps to reshape and balance the eyeball itself.

Egyptian Letter Gazing Technique

Part I

(Exercise for Close & Distant Vision) Cut out three 1 /8" to 1 /4" thick letters from a newspaper or magazine and glue them on a 2 x 3 white card. Perform each exercise with one eye at a time, then both eyes together. The eye that is covered with the palm is to be kept open during the exercise. This enables both eyes to work together during the exercise. Start out with three repetitions in each direction. Every two to three weeks add one repetition, until reach six.

Hold the card twelve inches in front of the eyes. Concentrate on one of the letters, always focusing to see it clearly. Move the card above the eyes and below the chin three times. Do this one eye at a time and then both eyes together. Keep the head still--move the eyes only.
Hold card twelve inches in front of the eyes. Move the card slowly from the right eye to the left eye--always keeping sight of the letter. Perform with one eye, then both eyes together, three times each.
Hold the letter in front of the face, and move the card in right and left diagonally. Perform three times each way. Again perform one eye at a time, then both eyes together.
Move card in large circles, at arms length. Perform three times each way, one eye at a time, then both together.
Hold the card about one foot in front of the head and move the card smoothly in a ten inch diameter circle. Perform ten times clockwise and ten times counterclockwise. Perform with one eye at a time and both eyes together.

Important Eye Note
Breathe deeply and naturally and try not to blink. See the letter as clearly as possible without eye strain. These Egyptian Eye Techniques are superior exercises for reshaping the eyeballs and strengthening the eye muscles. They help to create eye muscle balance. Do not confuse this exercise with ordinary eye exercises, there is no comparison!

It helps to reshape the eye back to its normal position, so that light can focus on the retina properly for perfect eyesight. This technique coordinates the mind and eyes to work in perfect harmony. Persistence is the key to success in vision improvement.

Part II
(Exercise for Close & Distant Vision) - After practicing the Egyptian Letter Gazing Technique Part I for a month, then now practice the Advanced Egyptian Letter Gazing Technique, Part II.

How to Perform

Hold the card at least two to three feet from the eyes.
To improve the distant sight, must use the eyes to see beyond two feet to overcome myopia (nearsightedness).
Paste a black letter on a 2 by 3 card and tape the card to one end of a 12 inch ruler. These letters should be big enough to see easily at two foot.
As the eyesight becomes clear at this distance, use smaller letters to help obtain further improvement.
To improve the close vision (farsightedness), simply perform the eye exercise holding the letters less than twelve inches from the eyes.
Perform this "Advanced" exercise in the same sequence as did in the above Beginning Egyptian Letter Gazing Technique.