Various medicinal plants are capable of alleviating physical ailments. Among these, for example, is eyebright. The name of the plant refers at the same time to one of the areas of application. Thereby, side effects are not to be expected by the use of eyebright.
Occurrence and cultivation of eyebright
The healing effects of eyebright are actually focused on complaints in the area of the eyes. Eyebright belongs to the summer herbaceous plants. A total of about 350 different species of the plant exist. It is particularly common in the northern hemisphere. It grows in almost every European country. The plant prefers forest clearings, mountains or roadsides. The plant claims a size of about 10 to 20 centimeters and is a member of the hemiparasitic family. It feeds on the liquid of certain grasses. If eyebright is unable to become active as a parasite, it can still survive. Eye grass is nevertheless considered a weed among farmers, it deprives other plants of minerals, but is not touched by animals because of its bitter substances. The leaves of the plant are ovate and have three to six teeth. The calyx is white and purple striped. Eyebright is used for a variety of ailments. Although the external appearance is often considered less noticeable, the active ingredients can relieve certain physical phenomena. To use the plant as a remedy, it is recommended to collect it between July and October.
Effect and application
The healing effects of eyebright are actually focused on ailments related to the eyes. These include styes, eyelid rim inflammation, conjunctivitis, eyestrain, hay fever or dark circles. Decisive for the effect of the herbaceous plant are its ingredients. Glycoside rhynanthin, essential oil, fatty oil, resin, bitter substances, sugar, salts, euphratanic acid, aromatic substances are considered to be medicinally effective. Eyebright is mostly used externally, especially when it comes to relieving discomfort of the eyes. Compresses, teas or baths are recommended for this purpose. For a tea, either one tablespoon of the dried herb or two tablespoons of the fresh plant is poured over boiling water. In total, the mixture should steep for about 10 minutes before the plant residue can be removed. In this way, the tea can be used internally on the one hand, and externally on the other. Absorbed into a cotton ball, the cooled tea is suitable to gently drizzle on the skin areas near the eyes. Drunk, the tea is also said to have a supportive effect on the eyes. The eye bath consists of the tea. This should be cooled and may contain a few grains of salt (about 3 to 5). In this way, the salt content of the liquid adapts to that of the tears and the rinse is perceived as more pleasant. An eye bath with the eyebright tea is used, for example, in case of conjunctivitis. Eye compresses are suitable for example in case of an eye inflammation. 10 grams of ground fennel seeds are mixed with 25 grams of eyebright. One teaspoon of the mixture is mixed with 250 milliliters of water and left to infuse for 10 minutes. Then a clean compress can be soaked in the liquid and placed on the eye. The effect of the plant is based mainly on its anti-inflammatory properties, which in turn can be attributed to the ingredients. Iridoid glycosides inhibit the formation of prostaglandin. Furthermore, phenolic carboxylic acids and flavonoids have an antibacterial effect. Eyewort is used especially in homeopathy. The effectiveness of the plant is considered medically proven. However, the herb is particularly suitable for the treatment of complaints affecting the eye. Other healing properties, such as for migraine and insomnia, are not officially recognized. The starting point are scientific studies.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Eye herb can be used to treat various ailments. However, it is not suitable for preventive measures. The use of the plant is recommended mainly in homeopathy. General practitioners, on the other hand, are often increasingly skeptical about prescribing the medicinal plant. However, one advantage of the plant is its tolerability. As a rule, allergic reactions or other accompanying complaints are not to be expected.Furthermore, there are no interactions between eye herb and other medications. Only the simultaneous use of other eye drops is not recommended. Otherwise, the herb is suitable for use in adults as well as children, without any known side effects. In addition, the experience of some people indicates that eye herb is also suitable for digestive problems. The starting point here are the tannins and bitter substances of the plant. These stimulate both digestion and appetite. That is why eyewort is considered a natural remedy for bloating or constipation. However, its effect in regulating digestion has not been scientifically proven. The same applies to the strengthening property of the mucous membranes. Eyewort is said to be able to have a positive effect on all mucous membranes of the human body in general. This is said to improve ailments that affect the mucous membranes. These include, for example, sinusitis or runny nose. The tea from the eye herb is supposed to clean the mucous membranes, which strengthens the immune system. In this way, the existing disease can subside more quickly and a new infection can be prevented. In homeopathy, such treatment consists of a six-week course of treatment, during which two cups of eye herb tea should be drunk every day. Thus, the effect of the eye herb is particularly relevant for people who want to switch to homeopathic remedies. No side effects are to be expected.
