Eyebright

 

Biological Name:
Euphrasia officinalis

Family:
Scrophulariaceae

Other Names: 
Eyebright, Augentrost, Euphrasia

Parts Used:
Dried flowering plant¹

Active Compounds: 
Tannin; resin; saponin; volatile oils; a glycoside, aucubine¹.

History:

According to Mrs. M. Grieve: "Although always known under a name of Greek origin, the herb (Eyebright) seems to have been unnoticed by the ancients and no mention of it is made by Dioscorides, Pliny, Galen or even by the Arabian physicians. In the fourteenth century, however, it was supposed to cure 'all evils of the eye' and is described as the source of 'a precious water to clear a man's sight.' Matthaeus Sylvaticus, a physician of Mantua, who lived about the year 1329, recommended this plant in disorders of the eyes and Arnoldus Villanovanus, who died in 1313, was the author of a treatise on its virtues, Vini Euphrasiati tantopere celebrati. How long before Euphrasia was in repute for eye diseases it is impossible to say, but in Gordon's Liticium Medicina, 1305, among the medicines for the eyes, Euphragia is named 'and is recommended both outwardly in a compound distilled water and inwardly as a syrup.' Euphragia is not, however, mentioned in the Schola Salernitana, compiled about 1100 ²."

 

Traditional Applications in Herbal Medicine:

Western Herbal Applications:

Actions: Anti-catarrhal³, astringent³, anti-inflammatory^1,3

Indications: Almost exclusively used for eye problems such as conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye)¹ and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)³. Eyebright is also a recognised remedy for problems of the mucous membranes³, making it useful in treating the common cold, nasal catarrh, and sinusitis³.

Chinese Herbal Applications:

Is not a herb commonly used in Chinese medicine.

Other indications include:
Common cold³, Nasal catarrh, Sinusitis and Bronchitis. Constituent in herbal smoking mixtures¹.

 

Dosage:

Consult your herbalist

Safety:

Considered a safe herb

 

References:

1. Stuart, Malcolm (1979). The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. New York: Grosset and Dunlap, 1979.
2. Grieve, M. (1977). A Modern Herbal.Penguin Books Ltd, England.
3. Hoffmann, David (1983). The Holistic Herbal: A herbal celebrating the wholeness of life. Findhorn Press, Scotland.

 

 

The information provided here is not for the purpose of self diagnosis or self treatment. It is provided for the sole purpose of providing general information about herbs used in herbal medicine. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.