Eyebright Herb and Tea Health Benefits

Scientific Name(S): Euphrasia officinale L. Other species include E rostkoviana Hayne and E stricta J.P. Wolff ex J.F. Lehm. Family: Scrophulariaceae

Common Name(S): Eyebright

Eyebright is a European wild plant. It gets its name because it has been used since the Middle Ages to treat eye irritation. The whole herb is used medicinally.

Botany: This small annual plant grows to about one foot. It has oval leaves but can have a variable appearance. Its flowers are arranged in a spike; the white petals often have a red tinge, but may be purple-veined or have a yellow spot on the lower petal. It blooms from July to September. The flowers have the appearance of bloodshot eyes. It is believed to have originated from European wild plants.

History: Eyebright was used as early as Theophrastus and Dioscorides, who prescribed infusions for topical application in the treatment of eye infections. This was in large part due to the similarity of the "bloodshot" petals to irritated eyes. The plant has been used in homeopathy to treat conjunctivitis and other ocular inflammations. The plant continues to find use in black herbal medicine.

Further historic data on the use of Euphrasia includes a 14th century cure for "all evils of the eye." An eyebright ale was described in Queen Elizabeth's era. It was a component of British Herbal Tobacco, which was smoked for chronic bronchial conditions and colds. Other early uses include treatments for allergies, cancers, coughs, conjunctivitis, earaches, epilepsy, headaches, hoarseness, inflammation, jaundice, ophthalmia, rhinitis, skin ailments and sore throats.

Uses of Eyebright

Eyebright preparations have been used to treat a variety of complaints, especially inflammatory eye disease.

Side Effects of Eyebright

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these side effects: headache, itching, red, swollen eyelids, severe eye pressure, increases sensitivity to light, vision problems, or confusion.

Dosage and Administration

For use orally, eyebright is commonly prepared as a tea. Usually, 2,000 mg to 4,000 mg of dried eyebright herb is added to about 5 ounces of boiling water and allowed to soak for approximately 10 minutes. The solid particles remaining are then strained out of the tea in preparation for drinking.

Eyebright is also available as capsules and extracts that come in different strengths based on the desired effect. Always make sure to follow the instructions on the package you purchase.

Toxicology: While there are no known risks associated with eyebright, its purported activities have not been clinically substantiated and the folkloric use is unacceptable on hygenic grounds.

German studies suggest that 10 to 60 drops of eyebright tincture could induce confusion, cephalalgia, violent pressure in the eyes with tearing, itching, redness and swelling of the margins of the lids, photophobia, dim vision, weakness, sneezing, coryza, nausea, toothache, constipation, hoarseness, cough, expectoration, dyspnea, yawning, insomnia, polyuria and diaphoresis. Hence, ophthalmic use of this material is strongly discouraged.

Summary: Eyebright is an herbal remedy that continues to find use among herbal enthusiasts. Although many adverse effects have been reported with its use, there appears to be little or no evidence in today's scientific literature for its effectiveness.