PDR for Herbal Medicines

300/EYEBRIGHT

Eyebright

Euphrasia officinalis

TRADE NAMES

Eyebright (Available from numerous manufacturers) Eye--

bright Herb, Herbal Eyebright, NuVeg Eyebright

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the flowering plant.

Flower and Fruit: White, bluish or reddish-violet flowers are

in spike-like inflorescence in the axils of the upper leaves.

The calyx has 4 tips and is glabrous to short bristly. The

corolla is bilabiate and is 8 to 12 mm long. The upper lip is

domed, helmet-like and revolute at the tips. The lower lip

has 9 dark violet long stripes. There are 4 stamens and 1

superior ovary. The fruit is a narrow, oblong capsule with a

ciliate edge. The seeds are numerous and grooved.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is about 30 cm high. It is

annual. The stem is rigid, erect, lightly branched below. The

leaves are opposite, sessile and grass-green. They are ovate

or oblong-ovate and twice as long as wide. The involucral

bracts have 4 to 7 teeth.

Characteristics: Eyebright is odorless and has a bitter and

salty taste. It is semi-parasitic.

Habitat: Europe.

Production: Eyebright consists of the whole plant of

Euphrasia officinalis gathered during flowering season.

Eyebright herb consists of the fresh or dried, above-ground

parts of Euphrasia officinalis.

Other Names: Euphrasia

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Iridoide monoterpenes: aucubin, catalpol, euphroside, ixoro-

side, veronicoside, verproside, mussaenoside, ladroside

Lignans: dehydrodiconiferyl-4-beta-D-glucoside

Flavonoids: including apigenin-, chrysoeriol- and luteolin-7-

O-galactosides and -rhamnogalactosides

Tannins

EFFECTS
No documentation available.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Eyebright preparations are used externally
as lotions, poultices, and eye-baths, for eye complaints
associated with disorders and inflammation of the blood
vessels, inflammation of the eyelids and conjunctiva, as a
preventive measure against mucus and catarrh of the eyes.

In folk medicine, Eyebright is used for blepharitis, conjuncti-

vitis, styes, eye fatigue symptoms, functional eye disorders

of muscular and nervous origin, coughs and hoarseness.

The efficacy of the herb for its^ claimed uses is not

documented.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Since the efficacy of the claimed

uses is undocumented, and external eye application is not

absolutely hygienic, therapeutic use cannot be

recommended.

Preparation: To prepare a tea, add 2 to 3 gm of finely cut

drug to boiling water; strain after 5 to 10 minutes.

Decoction — 2%.

Daily Dosage: A decoction is used 3 to 4 times daily for eye

rinses.

LITERATURE

Harkiss KJ. Timmins P. (1973) Planta Med 23:342.

Luczak S, Swiatek L, Plantes Med Phytother 24:66. 1990.

Salama O et al., PH 20:2603. 1981.

Salama O, Sticher O, (1983) Planta Med 47:90.

Sicher O, Salama O, PM 39:269. 1980.

Sicher O, Salama O, PM 42:122. 1981.

Further information in:

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997. "

Fagopyrum esculentum

See Buckwheat