Euphrasia (eyebright) is a genus of about 450 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Orobanchaceae (formerly included in the Scrophulariaceae), with a cosmopolitan distribution. They are semi-parasitic on grasses and other plants. The common name refers to the plant’s use in treating eye infections.
Many species are found in alpine or sub-alpine meadows where snow is common. Flowers usually are borne terminally, are zygomorphic, and have a lower petal shaped like a lip. The most common flower colors are purple, blue-white, and violet. Some species have yellow markings on the lower petal to act as a guide to pollinating insects.
Herba Euphrasiae (Scrophulariaceae), commonly known as eyebright grass, is a composition of very similar plant species, broadly defined as Euphrasiae officinalis L, which are widely used in folk medicine and homeopathy (rx, rx). E. officinalis L. is an annual, herbaceous, semi-parasitic plant which exhibits numerous biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antifungal, antiviral, hypotensive, hepatoprotection, anti-epileptic, and anti-catarrhal activities (rx–rx). In traditional medicine, E. officinalis L. has also been effectively used for the treatment of eye disorders like conjunctivitis, hordeolum, etc. (rx, rx, rx). Eye drops made from E. officinalis L. are considered to be useful and safe in the treatment of ocular allergy symptoms (rx). Folk medicine commonly uses eyebright aqueous extracts to treat eye disorders. Additionally, methanolic extracts of Euphrasia genus and its methanolic fractions have been evaluated for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities (3). The biological activity of aqueous tinctures and alcohol extracts are based on the accumulation of highly active compounds like iridoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids or etheric oils (rx, rx, rx). We may suppose that E. officinalis L. preparations for the treatment of eye disorders are generally based on their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. Moreover, as full extracts are used on the principle of the historical tradition, selective extracts are employed mainly for reason of their specific activity (rx).
Uses/ Indications of
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis) – Early research suggests that applying one drop of eyebright eye drops (WALA Heilmittel GmbH, Eck-Walkden/Bad Boll) up to five times per day for 2 weeks helps increase the rate of recovery from pink eye.
- Inflamed nasal passages.
- Inflamed sinuses (sinusitis).
- Colds
- Allergies
- Coughs
- Earaches
- Headache
- Blepharitis
- Cataract, Cold. Colic. Condylomata
- Conjunctivitis
- Glandular swellings
- Influenza
- Iritis
- Lachrymation
- Parotitis
- Pimples
- Ptosis
References
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