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.
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
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