Eyebright

Eyebright

Latin Name: Euphrasia officinalis
Family: Scrophulariaceae

Part used: Whole plant.
Energetics: Pungent, bitter, cool, dry.
Iris: Lymphatic.
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

None Known.

ACTIONS

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antihistamine
  • Anti-catarrhal
  • Astringent
  • Tonic
  • Bitter
  • Cholagogue
  • Alterative
  • Ophthalmic
  • Demulcent
  • Nervine
  • Febrifuge
  • Anti-microbial (E.coli, Mycobacterium, B. subtilis)

Main Constituents

  • Resin
  • Tannins
  • Essential oils
  • Iridoid glycosides (aucubin, aneobin, rhynanthin)
  • Sterols
  • Trace elements
  • Lignans
  • Euphrastanic acid

Main Uses

Eye conditions. Cooling astringent.
Eyes: Anything to do with the eyes, Conjunctivitis, Red eye, Stye, Poor visual acuity due to eyestrain or diabetes, Itching eyes, Stinging eyes, Corneal opacity, Prominent red eye rims
Respiratory System: Anything to do with the nose and sinuses, Chronic sneezing, Inflamed nasal mucosa, Sinusitis

Infections:
Bacteria: Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, Micrococcus aureus, Mycobacterium, Staphylococcus epidermis
Fungi: Penicillium italicum

More About Eyebright

If looking at the ‘Doctrine of Signatures’, we can see that Eyebright has pretty eye-like flowers, which are very delicate, like the eye tissue.
Eyebright herb has a traditional reputation for restoring poor vision from strain and old age. It is known as a “visionary” herb, enhancing insight and inner vision, helping to get things into perspective.
It can be used internally or as an eye wash or compress, as it removes surface obstructions from the eyes. It is known as a cooling astringent which is useful in cases of eye, nose and throat conditions, where there is irritation. In acute inflammation it can help to resolve discharges of the conjunctiva and sinus mucosa.
It is anti-catarrhal which helps to address head colds, sinus headaches, rhinitis, hay fever and watery discharges.=
Eyebright combines well with fennel and vervain for all catarrhal eye conditions.
The bitter components gently detoxify the liver, therefore brightening the sclera.

Recipes:


Eyebright compress

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons dried eyebright
  • 2 teaspoons ordinary black tea leaves
  • Hot water

Method:

  • Mix the dried eyebright and tea leaves in a small bowl, then spoon into 2 empty tea bags.
  • Seal or fold over the bags. Place the bags in a shot glass of hot but not boiling water.
  • Leave for 10 minutes, then squeeze out and place one over each eye.
  • Relax with the eye compresses on for 10 to 15 minutes. Make fresh as you need it.

References


UVB photoaged skin, antioxidant, proinflammatory, reduces uvb cell apoptosis

Protective Effects of Euphrasia officinalis Extract against Ultraviolet B-Induced Photoaging in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts.
Taken together, our data strongly suggest that Euphrasia officinalis ethanol extract could reduce UVB-induced photoaging by alleviating oxidative stress, proinflammatory activity, and cell apoptosis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30366440/

Eye drops,uvb eye protection, eye oxidative stress, uvb eye inflammation, corneal uvb protection

Pharmacological activities of an eye drop containing Matricaria chamomilla and Euphrasia officinalis extracts in UVB-induced oxidative stress and inflammation of human corneal cells.
These findings suggest that an eye drop containing Matricaria chamomilla and Euphrasia officinalis extracts exerts positive effects against UVB induced oxidative stress and inflammation and may be useful in protecting corneal epithelial cells from UVB exposure.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28704790/

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