Know what you're putting in your body.

158 herbs, nutrients, and compounds. What the science says, what tradition knew, and what to watch for. Founding members keep this running.

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GENERAL IMMUNITY

Eyebright

Euphrasia officinalis

also known as euphrasia

Weak (modern) / moderate (traditional)

A small wildflower with markings on its petals that resemble a bloodshot eye — a coincidence that gave the plant its name and, in the medieval doctrine of signatures, its traditional use. European herbalism has used eyebright for eye complaints, sinus congestion, and minor respiratory irritation for centuries. Modern clinical evidence is limited, and any use directly on the eye carries serious risks.

Long traditional European use for eye irritation, conjunctivitis, and tired or strained eyes
Traditional use for hay fever and seasonal allergy symptoms — particularly the runny-eye component
tannin content.">Astringent and mildly anti-inflammatory action when used as a tea or compress
Internal tea use for general upper respiratory irritation has long traditional history
Best evidence is for use as a tea taken internally; direct application to the eye is much riskier

Never put non-sterile herbal preparations directly into the eye — eye infections from contaminated preparations are a real risk

Eye drops marketed as eyebright should be FDA-cleared sterile pharmaceutical products, not home preparations

Limited modern clinical evidence for the traditional eye uses

Use caution with diabetes medication — may affect blood sugar

Skip during pregnancy and nursing

Persistent or severe eye symptoms need medical evaluation, not self-treatment with herbs

Possible cross-reactivity with other figwort family allergies

Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro · Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro

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