Information On Eyebright - Euphrasia Officinalis

Other Common Names: Common Eyebright, Drug Eyebright, Eufragia, Eufrasia, Euphrasia, Glossy Eyebright, Gozlukotu, Euphrasia officinalis

Range: Europe, Northern and Western Asia and North America.

Habitat: Moist grassland and chalky pastures, semi-parasitic on grass.

The name Euphrasia is of Greek origin, derived from Euphrosyne (gladness), the name of one of the three graces who was distinguished for her joy and mirth, and it is thought to have been given the plant from the valuable properties attributed to it as an eye medicine preserving eyesight and so bringing gladness into the life of the sufferer. The same Greek word is also given to the linnet, whence another old tradition says that it was the linnet who first made use of the leaf for clearing the sight of its young and who then passed on the knowledge to mankind, who named the plant in its honour.

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.

Eyebright has a long history of herbal use in the treatment of eye problems and is still in current herbal use. It tightens the mucous membranes of the eye and appears to relieve the inflammation of conjuctivitis and blepharitis. Its ability to counter catarrh means that it is often used for infectious and allergic conditions affecting the eyes, middle ear, sinuses and nasal passages.

The whole plant is anti-inflammatory, astringent, digestive, ophthalmic and slightly tonic. It is taken internally in the treatment of catarrh, sinusitis, hayfever, upper respiratory tract infections etc. As an ophthalmic, an infusion of the plant can be taken internally or used as an eye wash. Alternatively, the diluted juice can be dropped into the eyes. Some caution should be exercised, experimentally it can induce side effects including dim vision. The plants astringency makes it inappropriate for treating dry or stuffy congestion. The plants are harvested when in flower and are dried for later use.

The dried herb is a ingredient of herbal smoking mixtures, used in the treatment of chronic bronchial colds.

A homeopathic remedy is made from the expressed juice of the plant. It is used particularly in the treatment of eye inflammations and colds, the herb is also recommended for inflamed prostate.

  • Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
  • Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
  • Plants For A Future - A Resource and Information Centre for Edible and other useful plants.

Discuss It!

terry said:

is this good for dry eyes after caterac surgury