botanical name(s): Euphrasia officinalis
synonyms: eyebright
part(s) used: dried aerial parts
qualities: pungent, bitter, cool, dry
affinities:eyes, nose
actions: anticatarrhal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent
dosage:
» infusion: 1 - 2 tsp. herb to 1 cup water; as eye wash three times daily-four times per day
» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.
therapy: nasal catarrh, allergies, sinusitis, conjunctivitis, blepharitis
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1
toxicity: 0
» Non-sterile ocular preparations may result in severe reactions. Ten to sixty drops of these tinctures may result in lacrimation, increased intraocular pressure, dim vision, photophobia, confusion and cephalgia. Ocular regions may also be itchy, red and swollen, Cough, sneezing, coryza, dyspnea, expectoration, diaphoresis, insomnia, and constipation have been noted (Duke, p. 193).
constituents: volatile oil, tannins, resin, glycosides
footnotes
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.