Eyebright: Nature’s Remedy for Eye Health and Beyond

(euphrasia parthenium)

In the wild, European eyebright grows in meadows, pastures, and grassy places in Eastern Europe. Eyebright is also grown commercially in Europe. The plant flowers in late summer and autumn. The whole herb is used in herbal medicine.

Eyebright was and continues to be used by herbalists primarily as a poultice for the topical treatment of eye inflammations, including conjunctivitis/blepharitis and sties. Traditionally, a compress made from a decoction of eyebright is used to give relief from redness, swelling, and visual disturbances due to eye infections. A tea is sometimes given internally along with the topical treatment. It has also been used for the treatment of eye fatigue and other disturbances of vision. In addition, herbalists have recommended eyebright for problems of the respiratory tract, including sinus infections, coughs, and sore throat.

What it does

Eyebright contains tannins, iridoid gycosides and volatile oil. These compounds have astringent, anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine. Eyebright is probably the best known of all herbal eye tonics and is reported to be supportive to the associated mucous membranes. The astringent compounds in eyebright are used to provide a tonic effect for the eyes and reduce sinus congestion, stinging, sensitivity to light, weeping eyes and catarrhal conditions.

Potential Uses

Benefits of Eyebright:

Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) is a herb celebrated for its potential health benefits:

1. Eye Health Support: Eyebright has been traditionally used to alleviate eye irritation, redness, and strain, making it a valuable natural remedy for visual well-being.
2. Allergy Relief: Its anti-inflammatory properties may help soothe allergy-related symptoms, providing relief from hay fever and allergic rhinitis.
3. Respiratory Health: Eyebright’s expectorant qualities may aid in alleviating symptoms of respiratory conditions like coughs and congestion.
4. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: It contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation, potentially beneficial for conditions like sinusitis.

Medical Uses of Eyebright:

1. Eye Irritation Relief: Eyebright preparations, when used as directed, may help alleviate common eye discomforts and irritation.
2. Sinus Congestion Relief: Eyebright may be used as a natural remedy to help clear nasal passages and reduce congestion.

Recipes Using Eyebright:

1. Eyebright Eye Wash:

   • Ingredients: Dried Eyebright, sterile water.
   • Instructions: Steep dried Eyebright in sterile water, strain, and use as an eye wash following proper instructions for eye irritation relief.

2. Eyebright Sinus Steam:

   • Ingredients: Dried Eyebright, hot water, large bowl.
   • Instructions: Add dried Eyebright to hot water in a large bowl. Lean over the bowl with a towel covering your head and inhale the steam for sinus relief.

3. Eyebright Tincture:

   • Ingredients: Dried Eyebright, high-proof alcohol (like vodka).
   • Instructions: Combine dried Eyebright with alcohol in a glass jar. Seal and let it infuse for several weeks, then strain. Take as directed for potential respiratory benefits.

Other information

In addition to treating chronic and acute inflammation of the eye, herbalists also use it for congestive conditions such as catarrh, hayfever and sinusitis.

Cautions

Do not use in pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

Generally, there are no side effects or contra-indications from using eyebright.

At the time of writing there were no well known negative drug interactions with eyebright.