Euphrasia

Eyebright

Euphrasia officinalis

People who respond well to Euphrasia are typically taciturn, indolent, melancholic and prone to daydreaming.

Euphrasia has a classic affinity with the eyes. Common physical symptoms include irritation in the eyes, with cutting, burning, pressing pains and sticky mucus. There is typically heightened sensitivity to light, with burning, swollen eyelids and frequent blinking. The eyes tend to water profusely, a symptom that is exacerbated by open air, lying down, or coughing. The remedy is used mainly for allergies or infections affecting the eyes and nose, such as colds, hay fever, or conjunctivitis. Euphrasia may also be prescribed if eye symptoms occur after an injury.

This herb has been used to treat eye strain and inflammations since the Middle Ages. Modern herbalists use eyebright for infections and allergic conditions of the eyes, middle ear, sinuses, and nasal passages.

The whole, fresh, flowering herb, including the root, is chopped and macerated in alcohol.

Uses

The traditional use of the eyebright based herbal remedies go back to Scotland of the 14th and 15th centuries, during this time the Scottish highlanders made an herbal infusion of the Euphrasia officinalis and used this herbal infusion for the treatment of different eye conditions caused by a variety of factors. Herbalist traditionally used to give eyebright to patients affected by coughs, by hoarseness of voice, those with an earache, and those affected by headaches during the 19th century and the plant was one of the most important herbs used in the treatment of these conditions. Its use as an antiseptic herb and an anti-inflammatory herb continues till this day and many herbalists prescribe this herb for the treating inflammation in their patients. Some of the typical problems in which Euphrasia based medications are used include the different disorders of the eye, like the inflammation of the conjunctiva or conjunctivitis, it is also used in the treatment of the disorder called blepharitis, which is the inflammation affecting the eyelids, it is also used in treating the inflammation of the irises or iritis, in addition, the herbal remedies made from the Euphrasia are also used in the treatment of dimmed vision, in treating intolerance to bright light, in alleviating and reducing the production of sticky mucus in the body, in the treatment of small blisters which affect the cornea of the eye, the cornea is the keratinized hardened surface tissue of the human eye, the remedy is also used in the treatment of dry eyes which often afflict women during menopause. The remedy also finds extensive use in the effective treatment of physical injuries to the eyes and in those cases where the eyes turn watery or are otherwise affected by an intense stinging sensation, coupled with the presence of abundant, intensely burning and sticky discharges. Patients affected by common colds and seasonal symptoms of hay fever in whom symptoms such as very hot and reddened cheeks along with abundant watery mucus can be treated with this remedy for a full recovery. Euphrasia is also very effective in the treatment of individuals suffering from seasonal disorders such as the allergy induced hay fever; the eyes are the main part of the body affected during this condition. Hay fever causes irritation and swelling in the eyes of the person, this symptom is often accompanied by the presence of a bland watery nasal discharge at times. The herbal remedies made from the eyebright herb are also used in the treatment of intense and splitting headaches affecting patients; it can be used as an herbal remedy for the treatment of intense and painful constipation, and is an excellent remedy for the initial stages of measles in patients. The herbal remedy based on the eyebright is also often used in the treatment of women, especially during problems such as short and painful menstruation, where the menstrual flow might last only for about an hour each day during the entire menstrual period, the painful inflammation affecting the prostate gland in men can also be treated using the herbal eyebright remedy.