Eyebright, Euphrasia officinalis, is also known as red eyebright, euphrasy and figwort (a name which really applies to the whole family Scrophulariaceae of which it is a member). Plants for a Future state that E. rostkoviana is a synonym, although the RHS Encyclopedia of Herbs refers to them as separate species. I only have photographs to go on, which makes the 2 plants appear identical, but please see the note about identification below. Whatever turns out to be true, the plant referred to here is Euphrasia officinalis.

Eyebright is a small (about 6″/15cm tall), downy hardy perennial which is not fussy as to soil, even succeeding in very alkaline soil, so long as it is moist. It will not grow in full shade. It’s often found in damp grassland especially on chalk. It may require grass to succeed (semi-parasitic on grass).

As you can tell from the species name, Eyebright is an ancient remedy. It was used mainly for eyes but also for other purposes. The whole plant is used, harvested when in flower.

Note about identification: There are very similar plants which do not have the same properties. Check that there are hairs on the flower calyx (see illustration left). If so, you have the correct plant.

To make a standard infusion use 30g (1 ounce) of dried herb or 3 handfuls of fresh to 570ml (2.5 US cups, 1 UK pint) boiling water, cover and allow to stand for between 15 minutes and 4 hours, then strain off and discard the herb and store the infusion in an airtight container in the fridge or a cool, dark cupboard for up to 4 days. If you have more than one remedy in store, remember to label them all, so you can tell them apart.

You need 3 weeks to make a tincture using 100g of ground dried herb to 1 liter (or 3 ounces to 4.5 US cups/2 UK pints) of surgical spirit. Mix the herb with the surgical spirit and pour into a dark colored airtight container. Label, then put it in a warm place. Every other day, give the container a thorough shaking. At the end of the third week, strain the mixture carefully through muslin, so that you can squeeze out all the liquid possible. Discard the herb. Rebottle the strained tincture, labelling with the name and date, and store in a cool dark place.

You can also make a poultice by mixing fresh or dried chopped herb with boiling water, wrapping in a bandage and applying to the area to be treated, leaving the water over a low flame to keep hot. Refresh in the boiling water whenever it gets cold.

The standard infusion is used internally to treat eye infections, coughs, colds, hay fever, sore throat and nasal congestion. Externally, dilute with boiled water half and half to make an eye bath in a pinch for eye inflammation and infections (conjunctivitis and blepharitis), although if you have tincture available, you can make a better eye lotion by mixing a teaspoonful with half a cup of cooled boiled water and a dash of salt. Mix well until the salt dissolves. This can be used three times a day. Eyebright can also be used in poultice form to treat wounds.

If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you won’t be surprised that I recommend that eyebright, as with all other herbal remedies, is grown organically to avoid corruption of its active constituents. To find out more about growing organic herbs visit the Gardenzone.

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