Euphrasia officinalis

Specific Indications. - Acute catarrhal diseases of the eyes, nose, and ears; fluent coryza with copious discharge of watery mucus. "Secretion of acrid mucus from the eyes and nose with heat and pain in the frontal sinus" (Scudder).

Action and Therapy. - It is essentially a remedy for catarrhal states and for superficial, not deep, eye disorders. Accumulation upon the cornea of sticky mucus befogging vision is a euphrasia indication. With such ocular disorders is usually more or less coryza, which may be far less hot and biting, or may be bland. The drug has proved especially useful in the epidemics of la grippe in recent years to control the profuse lachrimation. Euphrasia sometimes proves serviceable in hay fever, having the characteristic discharges above mentioned.

The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D. (1922)

Use in herbalism and medicine

The plant was known to classical herbalists, but then was not referred to until mentioned again in 1305. Nicholas Culpeper assigned it to the Leo, claiming that it strengthened the brain. It was also used to treat bad memory and vertigo.

Herbalists use eyebright as a poultice with or without concurrent administration of a tea for the redness, swelling, and visual disturbances caused by blepharitis and conjunctivitis. The herb is also used for eyestrain and to relieve inflammation caused by colds, coughs, sinus infections, sore throats and hay fever.

Parts used include the leaf, the stem, and small pieces of the flowers. Typical preparations include a warm compress or tea. Eyebright preparations are also available as an extract or capsule.

The safety of this herb during pregnancy and lactation is not proven.