Euphrasia officinalis
| Euphrasia officinalis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 0.3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Euphrasia officinalis (common name: eyebright)
Propagation: Sow the seed outdoors in situ in early spring amongst grass in a moist but not marshy soil[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils, preferring chalk or limestone[2]. Eyebright is a semi-parasitic plant, growing on the roots of various species of grass[3] and also on Trifolium pratense and Plantago species[4]. The grass does not seem to suffer unduly from this parasitism since eyebright is an annual and its cells do not penetrate very deeply into the grass[3].
There is some doubt over the validity of the name of this species, some botanists now call it Euphrasia rostkoviana.
Eyebright is a variable aggregate species, some botanists divide it into a number of different species[1][5]. Only those forms of eyebright which have glandular hairs on the calyx possess medicinal qualities[6]. It hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[2].
Range: W. Europe, including Britain, to E. Asia.
Habitat: Moist grassland and chalky pastures, semi-parasitic on grass[3][7].
Edibility: Leaves - raw[7]. They are occasionally used in salads for their slightly bitter flavour[7].
Medicinal: Eyebright has a long history of herbal use in the treatment of eye problems and is still in current herbal use[3]. It is important that only the correct forms of eyebright, with glandular hairs on the calyx, are used, since other forms do not possess medicinal virtues[6]. Eyebright tightens the mucous membranes of the eye and appears to relieve the inflammation of conjunctivitis and blepharitis[8]. Its ability to counter catarrh means that it is often used for infectious and allergic conditions affecting the eyes, middle ear, sinuses and nasal passages[8].
The whole plant is anti-inflammatory, astringent, digestive, ophthalmic and slightly tonic[[3][7][9][10][11][12]. It is taken internally in the treatment of catarrh, sinusitis, hay fever, upper respiratory tract infections etc[4]. As an ophthalmic, an infusion of the plant can be taken internally or used as an eye wash. Alternatively, the diluted juice can be dropped into the eyes[13]. Some caution should be exercised, experimentally it can induce side effects including dim vision[14]. The plant's astringency makes it inappropriate for treating dry or stuffy congestion[8]. The plant can be used externally as a poultice to aid the healing of wounds[6]. Eyebright should be harvested when in flower and can be dried for later use[4].
The dried herb is a ingredient of herbal smoking mixtures, used in the treatment of chronic bronchial colds[3].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the expressed juice of the plant[13]. It is used particularly in the treatment of eye inflammations and colds[7][13].
Pollinators: Bees, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Stuart, Malcolm. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Orbis Publishing, 1979.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Stapleton, Chris. Bamboos of Nepal. The Royal Botanic Gardens, 1994.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Castro, Miranda. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan, 1990.
- ↑ Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.