Euphrasia officinalis, Euphrasia parviflora. E. brevifolia, E. rostkoviana   Eyebright   Family: Orobanchaceae, formerly Scrophularaceae    
PART USED: Aerial parts gathered during the flowering period.
TASTE: Saline, bitter  ODORLESS 
ACTIONS
GROUP: Herbs for the upper respiratory tract.
1. Astringent,[3] and anti-inflammatory to nasal and conjunctival mucosa.
2. Anti-catarrhal.
3. Bitter tonic.[3]
4. Memory tonic.
5. Vulnerary.
Local-  Eye lotion- Anti-inflammatory.
INDICATIONS
1. Principally used as a remedy for eye ailments including- Conjunctivitis,[3] weak eyesight. Iritis. Cataracts, blephritis.
2. Colds with earache and headache. Hay Fever. Sinusitis. Nasal catarrh. Coughs. Hoarseness.
Topically- Conjunctivitis as eye lotion.[3]
COMBINATIONS
- Eye lotion- use with Golden seal and Witch hazel water.
PREPARATIONS  3X /day
Dried herb 2-4 g, or as infusion.
Fluid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol  2-4 ml.[1,2,3] 1:1 45% alcohol.[4]
Tincture 1:5 in 45% alcohol  2-6 ml.
Local- Nasal douche, compress, eye-bath.
Eye-bath- 2 drops fluid extract in 30 ml saline solution- acute conditions.
8 drops tincture in 30 ml saline solution- chronic conditions.

ORIGIN: Britain and Europe
HABITAT: Meadows and grassy places.
DESCRIPTION: Eyebright is a herb 30 cm in height. Branches near the base. Leaves; are serrated lanceolate, with 4 or 5 teeth on each side, 1 cm long and 0.5 cm broad, sheathing the stem. Blooms; solitary, axillary with purple and yellow markings.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research

Assessment of Eyebright (Euphrasia Officinalis L.) Extract Activity in Relation to Human Corneal Cells Using In Vitro Tests
Roman Paduch, Anna Wozniak, Piotr Niedziela, and Robert Rejdak
Abstract
Background:
Euphrasia officinalis L. is an herb traditionally used in folk medicine, mainly in the treatment of eye disorders.
Aims:
The present study analyzed the activity of three extracts of E. officinalis L. (ethanol, ethyl acetate and heptane) on cultured human corneal epithelial cells (10.014 pRSV-T).
Methods:
Toxicity, free radical scavenging activity and the immunomodulatory effects of the extracts were tested using the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) or Neutral Red, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ELISA tests, respectively. Moreover, nitric oxide levels and cytoskeleton architecture were analyzed after corneal cell incubation with the plant extracts.
Results:
We show that the biological effect depended on both the concentration and the extraction solvent used. Heptane extracts, distinct from those in ethanol and ethyl acetate, were toxic to 10.014 pRSV-T cells at low concentrations (25 µg/mL) and did not demonstrate free radical scavenging effects. All tested extracts decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-a) and also anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression by human corneal cells when the extracts were added to the cell culture medium for 24 h.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we show that the promising effects of the application of E. officinalis L. preparations as a supplementary therapy for eye disorders are associated with the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts, not the heptane extract.
Balkan Med J. 2014 Mar; 31(1): 29–36.
Published online 2014 Mar 1. doi: 10.5152/balkanmedj.2014.8377
PMCID: PMC4115993
PMID: 25207164 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne Essential Oil
Pavel Novy, Hana Davidova, Cecilia Suqued Serrano-Rojero, Johana Rondevaldova, Josef Pulkrabek, and Ladislav Kokoska
Abstract
Eyebright, Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne (Scrophulariaceae), is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Europe for the treatment of various health disorders, especially as eyewash to treat eye ailments such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis that can be associated with bacterial infections. Some Euphrasia species have been previously reported to contain essential oil. However, the composition and bioactivity of E. rostkoviana oil are unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the eyebright essential oil against some organisms associated with eye infections: Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. GC-MS analysis revealed more than 70 constituents, with n-hexadecanoic acid (18.47%) as the main constituent followed by thymol (7.97%), myristic acid (4.71%), linalool (4.65%), and anethole (4.09%). The essential oil showed antimicrobial effect against all organisms tested with the exception of P. aeruginosa. The best activity was observed against all Gram-positive bacteria tested with the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 512?µg/mL. This is the first report on the chemical composition of E. rostkoviana essential oil and its antimicrobial activity.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015; 2015: 734101.
Published online 2015 Apr 27. doi: 10.1155/2015/734101
PMCID: PMC4427012
PMID: 26000025 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prospective cohort trial of Euphrasia single-dose eye drops in conjunctivitis.
Stoss M1, Michels C, Peter E, Beutke R, Gorter RW.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Eye drops made from Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne have been used in anthroposophical medicine for more than 70 years for the structuring of the fluid organism in the eye, especially in inflammatory and catarrhal conjunctivitis. The aim of this prospective cohort trial was to describe the efficacy and tolerability of these eye drops in a community-based setting. To evaluate these questions, prospective cohort studies are the best method. This enables the investigator to attain real insights as to which treatment administered related to specific results in a specific group of patients.
DESIGN:
Prospective, open label, one-armed, multicentered, multinational cohort trial.
SETTING:
The trial was carried out in the clinics of 12 experienced anthroposophical general practitioners and ophthalmologists in Germany and Switzerland.
PATIENTS:
Patients with inflammatory or catarrhal conjunctivitis, treated with Euphrasia single-dose eye drops were included in the trial.
INTERVENTION:
One drop of Euphrasia single-dose eye drops 1-5 times a day was prescribed. The prescription was determined solely by medical therapeutic needs.
OUTCOME MEASURES:
Efficacy variables were: redness, swelling, secretion, burning of the conjunctiva, and foreign body sensation. Tolerability variables were: conjunctival reddening, burning of the conjunctiva, foreign body sensation, and veiled vision. All symptoms were given for the right or left eye separately, with degree of severity in relation to baseline after approximately 7 days (+/-3 days; first follow-up examination) and after approximately 14 days (+/-3 days; second follow-up examination). If, after the first follow-up, all symptoms had disappeared, no second follow-up was done.
RESULTS:
Sixty-five (65) patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the protocol evaluation. A complete recovery was seen in 53 patients (81.5%) and a clear improvement in 11 patients (17.0%). A slight worsening could only be determined in 1 patient in the second week of treatment (1.5%). No serious adverse events were observed during the entire trial. The efficacy and tolerability were evaluated by the patients and doctors as "good" to "very good" in more than 85%.
CONCLUSION:
Euphrasia single-dose eye drops can effectively and safely be used for various conjunctival conditions by general practitioners and ophthalmologists. A dosage of one drop three times a day seems to be the general prescribed dosage.
PMID: 11152054 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2000.6.499 J Altern Complement Med. 2000 Dec;6(6):499-508. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protective Effects of Euphrasia officinalis Extract against Ultraviolet B-Induced Photoaging in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts
Ying LiuEunson HwangEunson HwangHien NgoHien NgoShow all 7 authorsTae-Hoo Yi
Abstract and figures
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces skin photoaging, which is associated with the elevation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the impairment of collagen. The Euphrasia species play a well-known role in the treatment of certain eye disorders through their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. However, their protective activity toward UVB-induced damage remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of Euphrasia officinalis (95% ethanol extract) on UVB-irradiated photoaging in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). Our results show that Euphrasia officinalis extract exhibited obvious reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, enhanced NHDF cell migration, and reduced UVB-induced apoptosis. The UVB-induced increases in MMP-1 and MMP-3 and decrease in type I procollagen were ameliorated by Euphrasia officinalis treatment, which worked by suppressing the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear transcription factor activator protein 1 (AP-1) signaling pathways. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that Euphrasia officinalis ethanol extract could reduce UVB-induced photoaging by alleviating oxidative stress, proinflammatory activity, and cell apoptosis.
October 2018International Journal of Molecular Sciences 19(11):3327
DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113327 researchgate.net