Eyebright is a flowering plant that grows naturally in the grassy pastures and meadows of Britain, Europe, North America and northern Asia. It is a semi-parasitic herb that gets some of its water and nutrients from the roots of nearby plants.
Eyebright is traditionally used to reduce redness, itching and irritation around the eyes. It contains the phytonutrients aucubin and tannins that can soothe tired, inflamed and runny eyes.
What is eyebright?
Eyebright, Euphrasia officinalis, is a flowering herb that grows throughout Europe and North America. It is known for its many health benefits and has been used to treat a variety of eye related conditions, including conjunctivitis, cataracts, blurry vision, and eye fatigue.
It is also used to treat seasonal allergies, colds, sinusitis, and respiratory ailments. It contains naturally astringent tannins and flavonoids that can help reduce the production of mucus and catarrh.
The leaves, stems, and flowers of this plant can be made into tinctures, teas, and infused oils. It is often mixed with bilberry to enhance its healing properties.
This herb is commonly found in a variety of products and can be purchased online or at your local health food store. It is usually available in powdered form and is extremely concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
A few drops of this tincture can be taken three times a day. It is also often added to a warm compress that can be applied to the eyes to relieve pain and inflammation associated with sties.
For those who are attempting to achieve clairvoyance, eyebright can be used in infusions and mojo bags of truth when the situation calls for you to see things clearly and objectively and remove deception from the picture. The herb is also a great addition to a scrying bowl and mirror and can be used to induce prophetic dreams.
In herbal lore, this herb is said to bring radiant goddess energy into the mix. It is also connected to the goddess Euphrosyne, one of the three graces of Greek mythology and one of the three sisters who spread joy and good cheer throughout the world.
Historically, this herb has been used to treat various eye related problems, including inflammation, conjunctivitis, red eyes, itchy eyes, stinging eyes, and weak vision. It can also be used to treat hay fever and other allergic disorders as well as to promote overall eye health.
This herb can also be used to increase a person’s memory and cognitive performance. It can be used as a topical ointment or cream to alleviate symptoms of acne and skin irritations. It can also be used as a gentle rub on the eyes to ease eye strain, dryness, and puffiness.
Does it work?
If you're a spiritualist or clairvoyant, eyebright is an herb that can help you see through deception. It also helps you build or strengthen your psychic powers.
You can use eyebright as a shamanic tool to clear the mind and open your eyes, so you can clearly communicate with spirit guides, angels or spirits. This plant can also be used in sympathetic magick, a type of magick that uses plants to heal you or improve your condition.
Traditionally, people used eyebright as a remedy for all sorts of eye problems. The herb was said to relieve styes, itchy or stinging eyes, inflammation and redness as well as poor vision, but the herb is most commonly used for its antiseptic properties, which can soothe sore and inflamed eyelids, blood vessels, and lashes.
Herbalists still recommend using eyebright for many common eye conditions, especially conjunctivitis and blepharitis. It is also used to treat dry or flaking eyes, irritated and swollen eyelids, and eye infections.
Eyebright is a member of the Scrophulariaceae family and can be found growing wild in meadows, grassy areas and heaths across Europe. Its flowers are white or purple with red spots that resemble bloodshot eyes.
Its tiny leaves are oval and sharply toothed, with four or five teeth on each side. In addition to its medicinal uses, it is an important food source in many regions.
The name “eyebright” comes from the Latin name Euphrasia officinalis, which means “gladness.” It is an annual plant that thrives in meadows and grassy areas. It grows best in warm and temperate climatic zones and is native to Europe.
In folklore, the flower's bright yellow and red spots represent a person's eyes. It can also be seen as a symbol of joy and happiness, as the ancient Greeks believed that it could clear the sight of a person to make them happy.
Traditionally, people soaked in eyebright baths to relieve outer eye discomfort, including itching, redness, inflammation and swollen effected by allergies or colds. The herb has been credited with also restoring tone to the whites of the eyes as well as improving circulation and promoting overall health in the body.
Dosage
Eyebright, Euphrasia officinalis, is a herb that has long been used in herbal medicine. It has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including eye strain, hay fever, coughs, sinus congestion, headaches, and flu. It is also believed to be an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypotensive supplement.
The flowers of eyebright are small and scallop-edged, with a white center that is spotted with yellow and dark purple spots. They resemble the human eye, and it is believed that this is how the plant became associated with eyesight. This association dates back to the Doctrine of Signatures, a sixteenth-century theory that held that plants were marked by God or other gods to indicate their healing properties.
This is thought to be an important factor in the traditional use of eyebright for treating a wide range of eye problems, from conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) to stinging, itching, or red eyes. It has also been used to relieve coughs and nasal congestion, and it can help ease a sore throat or earache.
It is considered safe to take if taken under a doctor’s supervision, and it can be found in capsules, tinctures, and teas. It is not recommended to take more than what is written on the label, as it may cause side effects.
A cup of boiled water can be mixed with 2-3 teaspoons of dried eyebright to make an infusion that can be strained and drunk three times a day for maintaining eyesight, soothing nasal congestion, or relieving coughs. The mixture can also be used as an eye bath to reduce inflammation or pain around the eye.
Alternatively, eyebright can be applied topically to the affected area to relieve itching, burning, redness, and inflammation. It is often found in eye drops, lotions, compresses, and eye baths.
It contains compounds that inhibit immune cells called mast cells, which release histamine, a compound that triggers allergy symptoms. It also contains flavonoids that reduce inflammation. Several of these compounds have also been shown to minimize the scarring of heart tissue after a heart attack (4).
Side effects
Eyebright is a herb that is commonly used in the magical and herbal world. It is said to bring gladness to the eyes and promote vision and overall eye health. It is sometimes taken internally, such as in teas or capsules, but can also be applied topically, like in a compress.
It can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including eye conditions and allergies. It contains compounds called luteolin and quercetin that inhibit the release of histamine, which is a chemical that triggers allergy symptoms such as runny nose and watery eyes.
This is one of the reasons why it has long been used to relieve nasal congestion, sinus pain and coughing. It also helps reduce mucus production in the respiratory tract, which can improve breathing and increase firmness of the lungs and tissues.
Another use for eyebright is to help treat hay fever and seasonal allergies. It can help prevent the inflammation that causes these symptoms and may be an effective treatment for asthma, too.
For oral uses, you can drink a tea made from eyebright flowers and it can also be taken in the form of an extract or as a supplement. It is easy to make your own tea at home, just add a few drops of the dried flowers to a cup of hot water and leave to steep for a few minutes.
Taking eyebright orally can help you keep your eyes healthy, but it should be taken under the guidance of a qualified herbalist. This herb can also interact with certain medicines, so consult a doctor before using it.
You can also take it as a natural remedy to treat eye infections such as conjunctivitis, or ‘pink eye.' The drops are often effective and can be taken up to five times a day. However, it is important to use sterile eyedrops because homemade rinses can be unsafe.
There are few side effects associated with using eyebright. You should avoid it if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or any other medical condition. If you have a history of hives, swelling or difficulty breathing, contact your doctor immediately. It should also be avoided if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, as it can pass into the breast milk and could harm your baby.
