Eyebright or euphrasia is actually one very effective remedy when it comes to treating eye problems. It has been proven that eyebright can treat eye strain, infections, and inflammation as well as allergic conditions of the eyes, measles, and the common cold. In fact, eyebright is also effective in treating styes, conjunctivitis, and blepharitis.
Eyebright contains several chemical constituents and nutrients, including, vitamin A, B, C, D, and E, phenolic acids, flavonoids, euphrasia-tannin acid, bitters, mannite, iridoid glycosides, and glucose.
The herb eyebright often comes in several forms such as loose dried leaves, tea, essential oil, capsules, tablets, and liquid. The herb contains beneficial properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-mucus, and anti-epilepsy properties.
Eyebright and the Treatment Eye Problems
Eyebright is an effective remedy for treating eye problems, including cataracts, glandular swellings, granular eyelids, conjunctivitis, eye allergies, sties, blepharitis, and eye strain. It is also often used to alleviate stinging, dry, and inflamed eyes.
The herb is also an effective homeopathic remedy for eye rashes, swollen eyelids, and unclear vision. Eyebright is also used to treat eye injuries, particularly in cases where a foreign object causes persistent pain in the eye. A dose of euphrasia every two hours can alleviate these eye conditions.
As a matter of tact, herbal eyebright eye drops have proven to be a safe and potent treatment option for many conjunctival conditions such as conjunctivitis. To treat eye problems, simply dissolve two eyebright pellets into a cup of water. You can then use cotton balls to dab around the eye two or three times daily for three days.
Eyebright is also believed to be a great remedy for people who are naturally melancholic.
The Health Other Benefits of Eyebright
Apart from treating eye problems, what are the other health benefits of eyebright? Well, eyebright can also treat allergies, skin conditions, nausea, hay fever, vomiting, measles, vertigo, cold symptoms, insomnia, and memory issues.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the health benefits of eyebright.
Measles
As we stated earlier, conjunctivitis can cause measles. And eyebright is an effective remedy for measles, particularly with teary eyes, sensitivity to light, or sticky substance in the eyes. Eyebright is also recommended for burning nasal discharge, aching bones, and chronic headaches.
Allergies and Hay Fever
Eyebright can also be used to treat allergies and hay fever which are known to majorly affect the eyes. They are known to result in symptoms that may include puffy and sensitive eyes, thick discharge from the eyes, and burning. Other symptoms of allergies and hay fever include nasal mucus that drips down to the back of the throat. Thankfully, eyebright can alleviate this irritability caused by the discomfort from these allergic symptoms.
Skin Care
Eyebright is well-loved for its ability to soothe the skin around the eye. In fact, it is a potent ingredient in formulas used in solutions that make the eyes appear more awake and vibrant. In fact, with the use of eyebright, over time, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
The herb reduces the appearance of puffiness. To alleviate this, simply make your eyebright tea, then drain the leaves and place on the eyes after cooling with cotton pads. For people with clogged pores and oily skin, eyebright can help protect the skin around the eyes by opening up the pores.
Eyebright also helps to cleanse the skin to tighten the skin, making it appear more supple, smooth and blemish-free. The herb is good for the under eye area, and great for the rest of the face as well, especially on spots where pores tend to look larger like the nose and chin. Also, similar to most plant products, eyebright possesses antioxidants like flavonoids that help protect the skin against environmental stressors.
Cough and Colds
Eyebright is also a common remedy for conditions affecting the respiratory system, including flu and cold symptoms. Some of these symptoms may include fever, coughs, sinusitis, headaches and sore throats. More often than not, eyebright helps to alleviate these health issues.
Side Effects and Precautions
Of course, generally, eyebright is considered safe. However, there are some precautions with the eyebright herb. Evidently, the herb contains amazing health benefits but it also has side effects, including constipation, nausea, body weakness, confusion, nasal inflammation, sneezing, difficulty in breathing, cough, headaches, excessive sweating, toothache, insomnia, hoarseness, and frequency in urination. And so, it is advised that only sterile products should be used in treating eye problems. However, side effects tend to be mild if the herb is used in small amounts.
Furthermore, diabetics should be cautious when using eyebright as it may reduce blood sugar.
The Bottom Line
Once you notice some improvement, it is best to stop using eyebright, and only resume use if symptoms reoccur. If symptoms persist after three doses, it is advisable to contact a medical practitioner.
