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Eyebright Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Euphrasia officinalis, the plant that eyebright comes from, has been used since the Middle Ages to treat bloodshot or irritated eyes-a practice that evolveg because the spotted and striped flowers resemble bloodshot eyes. An annual, E. officinalis/is grows to roughly 1 foot tall.

Common doses of eyebright

Eyebright comes as a lotion or an infusion to drink.

Some experts recommend the following doses:

• As an eye compress, soak a pad in an infusion of eye bright and apply it to your eyes.
• As an eyewash, use 5 to 10 drops of tincture in water.
• As an infusion, steep eyebright in boiling water and take orally.

Uses of eyebright herb

Eye Bright is one of the primary herbs used for eye care. It has been depended upon for at least 2000 years in the treatment of various eye problems. It is especially useful for eyestrain, over-sensitivity to light, eye inflammations, weeping eyes and other eye ailments. Some common eyes disorder in which eyebright use are:-

• Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids and eyelash follicles)
• Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye's mucous membrane lining)
• Eye fatigue
• Stye (infection of an eyelid gland)

Side effects of eyebright

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of eyebright:

• sneezing
• headache
• stuffy nose
• itching
• unusual eye sensitivity
• red, swollen eyelid rims to light
• severe pressure in the eyes with tearing
• vision problems
• weakness.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health Care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you're taking.

Important points to remember

• Don't use this herb to treat an eye condition because it may lead to eye infection.
• Medical experts caution against using eyebright because it may cause cell damage.
• Report vision changes or eye swelling, redness, or discharge to your health Care practitioner.
• Wear sunglasses and avoid bright light when using this herb.

What the research shows

Scientific studies don't support the use of eyebright for eye problems. Medical experts caution that herbal preparations generally carry a high risk of infection because they may not be sterile.

Other names for eyebright : -

Other names for eyebright include meadow eyebright and red eyebright.

There are many commercial eyewash products containing Eyebright, plus other herbs such as Goldenseal, Bayberry, Raspberry leaves, and Cayenne pepper. To use, put eyewash in an cup, and rinse out the eye 3 to 4 times daily.