Euphrasia officinalis

Euphrasia officinalis [Image]. [2014]. Retrieved from: http://www.pbase.com/image/108876112

Common name: 
Eyebright
(Bone, 2003, p. 202)

Latin binomial: 
Euphrasia officinalis
(Bone, 2003, p. 202)

Family: 
Scrophulariaceae
(Bone, 2003, p. 202) 

Parts used: 
Ariel parts

(Bone, 2003, p. 202) 

Active constituents:

• Glycosides including aucubin, 
• Tannins
• Resins
• Volatile oils 

(Hoffman, 1983, p.199) 

Actions: 

• Astringent
• Anticatarrhal
• Anti-inflammatory

 (Hoffman, 1983, p.199)  

Indications: 

• Catarrhal condition of the eyes, nose and ears; sinusitis, conjuntivitis (internally and locally); the common cold with copious discharge
• Weakness of the eyes and eyesight disorders
• catarrhal conditions of the intestinal tract; epilepsy 

(Bone, 2003, p.202).

Contraindications: 

• Known allergy/hypersensitivity to eyebright or to any of its constituents.
• Hypersensitivity to members of the Scrophulariaceae family may lead to a cross-sensitivity reaction (theoretical)
• Not recommended in pregnancy and lactation due to insufficient data.

(Foppa, Basch, Hammerness, Papaliodis, Ulbricht, Vora & Weissner, 2013)

Cautions:

• Use cautiously as an ophthalmic treatment, particularly homemade preparations, due to the risk of ophthalmic infection from lack of sterility.
• Use cautiously in patients with diabetes, due to an animal study that demonstrated alterations in blood glucose.
• Use cautiously in patients taking medications metabolized by the cytochrome 450 system, due to an animal study that demonstrated inhibition of CYP P450

(Foppa, Basch, Hammerness, Papaliodis, Ulbricht, Vora & Weissner, 2013)

Dosage:

• 2.0- 4.5 ml of 1:2 liquid extract- dose per day (Bone, 2003, p. 202).
• 15-30ml of 1:2 liquid extract- dose per week (Bone, 2003, p. 202).
• Tincture: 1-4ml, three times daily (Hoffman, 1983, p.199. 
• Compress for the eyes: 1 teaspoon of dried herb in half a liter of water and boil for 15 minutes (Hoffman, 1983, p.199.
• Conjunctivitis: One drop of Euphrasia 1-5 times daily for 3-17 days for inflammatory or catarrhal conjunctivitis was used in a prospective, cohort trial. Traditional use has included application of an eyebright-soaked compress (Foppa, Basch, Hammerness, Papaliodis, Ulbricht, Vora & Weissner, 2013). 

Combinations: 

• In catarrhal conditions it combines well with Golden rod, Elder flowers and golden seal. 
• Allergic conditions where the eyes are affected it can be combined with Ephedra.
• As an eye solution it can be combined with Golden seal and distilled Witch hazel.

(Hoffman, 1983, p.199)  

References:

Bone, K. (2003) A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs; herbal formulations for the individual patient. Churchill, Livingstone: Missouri.

Foppa, Basch, Hammerness, Papaliodis, Ulbricht, Vora & Weissner (2013) Natural standard professional monograph

Hoffman, D. (1983) The holistic herbal. Element books: Dorset.