As its name suggests, eyebright is used to treat a number of eye problems. Euphrasia, as it is correctly known, is used to treat a form of eye inflammation known as ophthalmia, and also blepharitis, which is an inflammation of the eyelids and also conjunctivitis. It has also been used to treat a stye, cataracts and bloodshot eyes, in addition to a number of other conditions including sinusitis, allergies and conditions of the respiratory tract.

Eyebright is effective when used as an eyewash, adding about 6 drops of liquid extract to 2 cups filtered or boiled water. Using this every four hours often clears up the problem, but if not then a supplement in the form of capsules often helps. Eyebright contains anti-inflammatory glycosides and flavonoids that not only help cure inflammatory eye conditions, but also inflammation caused by infections of the upper respiratory tract, inflamed sinuses and some allergic conditions that result in inflammation. Seasonal allergies such as hay fever are an example, and so too is acne and other inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. 5 drops of eyebright extract in a quarter cup of water can be very effective when used to wash over the affected areas.

Although eyebright is generally regarded as beneficial for a range of eye problems, it is not restricted just to these, and its anti-inflammatory properties are useful in treating a number of other inflammatory conditions.

It doesn't take a genius to figure how eyebright got its name, and if you have any inflammatory condition of your eyes then this herb might be the answer. It has been used for centuries to treat conditions such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and styes, but it is not just restricted to inflammatory conditions. You can use a solution of eyebright extract as an eyewash to help clear up early cataracts and bloodshot eyes, and some use it for age-related failing vision and eye weakness.

It is not only the anti-inflammatory nature of eyebright that enables it be effective in treating such conditions because it appears to go further than that. It appears to strengthen all parts of the eye, improving the function of its various components and also the elasticity of the optical nerves and muscles. It is effective when used both as an eyewash and a supplement in tablet or capsule form.

Eyebright is sometimes used along with other herbs such as echinacea and nettles to treat inflamed and runny eyes associated with allergies, particularly in children.

You should use eyebright if you have a condition of your eye or eyes that is not immediately threatening your sight. Any serious condition should be immediately referred to an ophthalmic surgeon, or even your family doctor, but a condition such as an inflamed area or a stye can be treated using a solution or tincture of eyebright, or even by use of capsules containing eyebright extract.

In fact, eyebright has been found by those that use it to clear up styes, blepharitis (inflamed eyelid), conjunctivitis (pink eye) and general inflammation of the eye (ophthalmia). Some have even it found an eyebright eyewash to be an effective treatment for the initial symptoms of cataract and for weakness in the eye and in sight that comes with age. None of these have been proved definitively by supervised trials, but not much work has been done on this aspect of eyebright.

The chemicals it contains certainly support its effect on inflammatory conditions, such as swellings, irritations and styes, but whether it works with cataracts and certain weaknesses in the eye will be up to you to check for yourself. It will do you no harm to use, and eyebright has not only been used for centuries on the eyes in folk medicine, but is also used for children.

Latin Name
Euphrasia officinalis

Description
Encapsulated 
eyebright herb carefully screened to assure potency, purity and 
quality.

Usage
Eyebright was historically used to support 
eye function. Eyebright herb has been used since the middle ages 
by herbalists and was cultivated in monastery 
gardens.*

Recommended Daily Dosage
Take two capsules three 
times daily with water at mealtimes or prepared as a tea. 
The following list is for serving size of 2 capsules

Primary 
Ingredients Amount  USRDA  
Eyebright (stem, leaf, flower)  860 
mg  0%  


Other Ingredients
Gelatin 

Sizes
100 capsules 

Eyebright is well known for its ability to cure many problems associated with your eyes, such as ophthalmia, conjunctivitis, styes and blepharitis. However, its anti-inflammatory properties also render it of use in treating inflammatory conditions such as allergies. The physical symptoms of allergies arise as a result of an over-reaction of your immune system's inflammatory response to allergens, resulting in swelling, redness and pain. Although these symptoms can be treated, it is more effective to tackle the inflammation at its root cause: the immune system chemicals that lead to the inflammation symptoms.

The flavonoids and other anti-inflammatories in eyebright do this, and effectively prevent the immune system from continuing to generate the cytokines and other chemicals that lead to the visible symptoms of inflammation: the swelling, itching, fluid, pain, heat and redness that can cause so much misery. Eyebright is effective both as an eyewash, skin cleanser and in capsule form. It is often combined with extracts of nettle or echinacea to boost the immune system and resolve the problem naturally and gently - particularly with extracts designed for children suffering allergies.

Some of the constituents of eyebright can explain its effect on inflammatory conditions of the eye, although its effects on cataracts and vision that is failing with age are less easy to explain, since very little work has been carried out on this aspect of the herb. Nevertheless, anecdotal evidence is high, and the lack of definitive scientific proof should not be taken negatively. The iridoid glycosides and flavonoids, including quercetin, are known to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as do the vitamins C and E and the antioxidant mineral, selenium. The aglycone of the iridoid glycoside aucubin possesses known antibacterial properties, which would help to treat any bacterial cause for styes and other eye infections that lead to inflammation.

Beta carotene is known to be beneficial to eyesight, so while the work carried out on eyebright to prove its effects on eye problems is limited, the phytochemicals it contains supports the anecdotal evidence for these effects. It is frequently the case that unproven claims for herbal remedies are later substantiated when tests on human subjects are carried out. Other components of eyebright are caffeic and ferulic acids, tannins and the minerals potassium, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, chromium, calcium and iron.

In general, the known properties of the chemical constituents of eyebright tend to support the claims made for it with respect to its use it treating certain conditions of the eye, even if scientific proof has yet to be obtained.