Eyebright 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Eyebright – 100 g ($14.99), 50 g ($9.99), 25 g ($7.99)

Benefits:

Eyebright is, as its name suggests, the most widely recommended herb for eyestrain, eye inflammations, stinging and weeping eyes, and oversensitivity to light. It is also used for coughs and hoarseness and seems to protect the liver against poisoning. Eyebright has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties that make it useful in treating congestive states such as hay fever, sinusitis, and nasal congestion. There is also some evidence that individual chemicals in eyebright may be useful for treating other problems, including hepatitis B and respiratory infections.

Conjunctivitis and bloodshot eyes. Many herb experts have expressed the opinion that eyebright’s centuries of use as a remedy for conjunctivitis and bloodshot eyes is insufficient to commend it for modern use. Their rejection of this herb is due to the fact that detailed study of some of the chemicals in eyebright was not completed until 1999. Although there is no specific evidence that eyebright as a whole is particularly useful for eye conditions, there is considerable evidence that compounds in the herb are anti-inflammatory. The eyebright chemicals aucubin, ladroside, and veronicoside have been shown to stop inflammation in laboratory animals. Aucubin also stimulates the production of proteins that are involved in the process of healing. Few clinical studies in humans exist.

Recommendations for Use

Eyebright is used in compresses and eyedrops, but it also comes in capsule and tablet form. Commercial preparations are preferable to compresses made from home-brewed eyebright teas because they are less likely to be contaminated by bacteria. Some over-the-counter (OTC) eyebright tablets combine the herb with other nutritional factors useful in maintaining ocular health, including bilberry, rutin, and hesperidin. Eyebright tablets can be used along with eyebright compresses and drops for additional benefit.

Botanical Name: Euphrasia Officinalis
Also, known as: Bright-eye, Birds-eye, Augentrost, Casselunettes, Oogentroost, Eufrasia, Adhil.
Habitat: Europe, Northern and Western Asia and North America
Origin: Bulgaria
Harvested: Wild or Cultivated
Parts Used: Entire plant

General Information:
Euphrasia Officinalis is an annual plant, grows two to eight inches tall. This is a very small plant that grows anywhere from ten to thirty cm. The stem is erect and wiry, either unbranched in smaller plants, or with several opposite branches in the taller plants. This little elegant plant, with deep cut leaves and white or purple blooms that have yellow variegations. The leaves, also, are sometimes almost round, and at other times pointed and narrow, their margins, however, always deeply cut into teeth. There are opposite branches on an erect stem with leaves that will be up to ½” long.
Flowers are on terminal spokes with a two-lipped corolla. The flowers have a black center and purple streaks on the petals with a central yellow spot. Eyebright flowers are primarily white, or lilac with purple-veins. The corolla is two lipped, its lower, tube-like portion being enclosed in a green calyx, tipped with four teeth. The upper lip is two-lobed and arches over the stamens forming a shelter-like structure. The lower lip is spreading and three-lobed, each lobe being notched. The seeds are in tiny flat capsules.
Eyebright is a semi-parasitic plant, meaning that it is nourished by the roots of other plants and that’s why needs to grow near grass. It is a member of the Figwort family of plants. Eyebright is a genus of about 450 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Orobanchaceae.

How to use:

Hot Infusion:

The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.

You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop molds.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.