Botanical Name: Euphrasia Officinalis

Common Name:

English: Bright-eye, Birds-eye, Augentrost, Casselunettes, Oogentroost, Eufrasia, Adhil. Aufraise, Augentrostkraut
Also, known as: Casse-Lunettes, Eufrasia, Euphraise, Euphraise Officinale, Euphraise de Rostkov, Euphrasia, Euphraisia Eye Bright, Euphrasia officinalis, Euphrasia rostkoviana, Euphrasia stricta, Euphrasiae Herba, Eye Bright, Herbe d'Euphraise, Luminet.

Origin: Bulgaria/Ukraine

Harvested: Wild

Parts Used: Entire plant

General Information:

Euphrasia Officinalis is an annual plant, grows two to eight inches tall. This is a very small plant that grows anywhere from ten to thirty cm. The stem is erect and wiry, either unbranched in smaller plants, or with several opposite branches in the taller plants.

This little elegant plant, with deep cut leaves and white or purple blooms that have yellow variegations. The leaves, also, are sometimes almost round, and at other times pointed and narrow, their margins, however, always deeply cut into teeth. There are opposite branches on an erect stem with leaves that will be up to 1/2 an inch long.

Flowers are on terminal spokes with a two-lipped corolla. The flowers have a black center and purple streaks on the petals with a central yellow spot. Eyebright flowers are primarily white, or lilac with purple-veins. The corolla is two-lipped, its lower, tube-like portion being enclosed in a green calyx, tipped with four teeth. The upper lip is two-lobed and arches over the stamens forming a shelter-like structure. The lower lip is spreading and three-lobed, each lobe being notched. The seeds are in tiny flat capsules.

Eyebright is a semi-parasitic plant, meaning that it is nourished by the roots of other plants and that’s why needs to grow near grass. It is a member of the Figwort family of plants. Eyebright is a genus of about 450 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Orobanchaceae.

How to use:

Powdered Herb:

There are different ways to use powdered herb.

Food Preparation: You can add powdered herbs to any super food, herbal smoothie, sauces, spreads and even cookies. Also for children, you can mix powdered herbs with honey or glycerin to make a paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help the medicine go down. This method is also known as "Electuaries".

Capsules: Encapsulating your own powdered herb at home, give you assurance that the contents of the capsules are pure herb and no filler or any other products. These capsules can be taken with liquid.

Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.

Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Eyebright Herb Powder