According to legends, the plant Eyebright was known as Euphrasia in Roman times – it was named after the Greek migrate Euphrosyini (meaning ‘joy’). The plant actually brought joy to everyone who used it because it healed their eyes.
Ancient Romans also called it “the eyes of the Mother of God” because of its proven medicinal properties in treatment of eye diseases for over thousands of years.
The alchemist, Arnoldus Villanovanus, wrote a eulogy for the plant, “Vini Euphrasiati tantopere celebrati”, claiming that the plant restored vision in blind people.
Even modern day researcher, Hildamus, claims that it can restore vision in seniors over 70.
The plant is easily available even today and is still part of natural medicine because of its amazing properties to restore vision in all struggling eye diseases caused by aging, infections etc.
Composition and healing properties of eyebright
There are several powerful substances in the eyebright plant including glycoside rinantin, vitamin C, essential oils, bitter substances and eufrastan acid. In alternative medicine, this plant has been recognized as a powerful eye remedy beneficial for treatment of different types of eye infections. Plus, it has been found that eyebright promotes healing, kills eye viruses and bacteria and relieves eye dryness and pain.
Moreover, this herb can also effectively lower eye pressure and fatigue caused by excessive computer use or smoke-filled rooms. In fact, it’s a natural alternative for eye drops and other over-the-counter remedies for eye problems.
Eyebright is beneficial for the following:
- Eye infection
- Allergic reactions
- Iritis (inflammation of the iris)
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid)
- Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
- Inflammation of the tear ducts
- Short-sightedness
- Dry eyes and eye fatigue
- Irritation due to environmental factors or prolonged computer use
- Glaucoma
In homeopathy, eyebright is used as a water infusion to reduce watery discharge from the eyes accompanied by burning and pain after exposure to light.
Improve your eyesight with tea and compresses
In case you have eye-related issues, it’s highly recommended to have the plant’s fresh juice or a dry variant always at hand. In fact, fresh eyebright juice can be used as a natural alternative for eye drops – simply dilute it in some distilled water and use 2 drops per eye.
On the other hand, you can use the dry to make tea and use this as an eye rinse, or as an eye compress. To make the tea, pour 200ml boiling water over half a teaspoon of dry eyebright herb and let it infuse well for several minutes. Follow by straining the tea and rinsing your eyes with it 2-3 times a day.
You can also use the tea for a compress – apply on your eyes and leave it on until the compress gets dry. Ideally, you can do the treatment before going to bed and leave the compress on overnight. Make sure you always use fresh tea.
If you have sensitive eyes, dilute the tea with lukewarm boiled water. For serious infections, mix eyebright with some marigold, chamomile or fennel to reduce the symptoms and speed up recovery. To strengthen the optic nerve, take a pinch of powdered dry eyebright 1-2 times a day orally or add it to soups and drinks.
Compress for treating sty
Mix 250ml boiling water with 3 tbsps. dry eyebright. Let it act for ten minutes, then strain. Wrap the strained eyebright in gauze and place it on the stye, leaving it on for 5-7 minutes. The warmth of the compress will provide therapeutical effect and it’ll speed up recovery.
Tea – helps to improve eyesight
Mix 200ml boiling water with 2 tsps. dry eyebright. Let the water get infused for fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain and drink a cup of the tea three times a day. Make sure you always make a fresh brew. Drink unsweetened.
Treating other ailments
Eyebright can provide a number of other health benefits aside from eye-related issues. To be more specific, it can relieve bronchitis, rhinitis and symptoms of flu, as well as other respiratory problems.
In addition, eyebright relieves stomach pain and indigestion, and provides great relief from hay fever allergy because it reduces eye watering, eye burning and eye redness.
Eyebright can also relieve headaches, insomnia and anxiety. It significantly reduces the symptoms of nicotine and alcohol poisoning, along with the harmful effects of the toxins on the body.
Warning
Don’t use eyebright before consulting a doctor who will prescribe recommended dosage. Also, avoid consuming eyebright if you’re pregnant or nursing, or if you’re suffering from gallbladder and acute stomach problems, duodenal ulcers or liver disease.
