Eyebright
Euphrasia officinalis
A small European wildflower used since the Middle Ages for irritated, watery, or inflamed eyes; one uncontrolled study of sterile eye drops is encouraging, but homemade eyewashes carry real infection risk.
At a Glance
- Best known for
- Conjunctivitis symptoms (single-dose sterile drops, uncontrolled study), Allergic eye irritation and watering (traditional), Mild astringent and anti-inflammatory action on mucous membranes
- Evidence
- Preliminary
- Typical dose
- Sterile commercial drops, 1 drop 1–5x daily
- Type
- Herb
What is Eyebright?
Eyebright is a small annual with white and purple flowers marked by a yellow spot that medieval herbalists thought resembled a bloodshot eye — the origin of its name and, under the 'doctrine of signatures,' its use for eye complaints. It is a semi-parasitic plant that draws nutrients from the roots of grasses in meadows across Europe. The whole flowering herb is used. Eyebright appears in European, especially German and British, herbal tradition as an eyewash, compress, and tea for conjunctivitis, styes, eye strain, and hay fever. Today it is found in some commercial sterile eye drops (particularly homeopathic or anthroposophic preparations in Europe) and in herbal teas and tinctures for allergies and sinus congestion.
Known Health Benefits
How It Works
Aucubin and other iridoid glycosides have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory studies, reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines in human corneal cells exposed to irritants. Tannins exert an astringent effect that tightens mucous membranes and may reduce watery discharge. Flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin inhibit histamine release and oxidative stress, which supports the traditional use for allergic eye symptoms. Extracts also show mild antibacterial activity against some organisms in vitro. These mechanisms are plausible but have been studied almost entirely in cells and animals rather than in people.
What Research Says
Clinical evidence for eyebright is thin. The most cited study is a 2000 prospective cohort of 65 patients with conjunctivitis treated with single-dose sterile Euphrasia eye drops (a commercial Swiss preparation) one to five times daily; after about two weeks, complete recovery was reported in 53 patients and clear improvement in 11, with good tolerability. Because there was no control group, it is impossible to separate the herb's effect from the natural course of conjunctivitis, which usually resolves on its own within one to two weeks. A 2014 laboratory study found eyebright extract reduced inflammatory markers in cultured human corneal cells, supporting biological plausibility. There are no randomized controlled trials of eyebright for any condition, and no studies of oral eyebright for allergies or sinusitis. The evidence tier is preliminary, and the main practical concern is that homemade eyewashes risk introducing bacteria or fungi into the eye.
Active Compounds
Iridoid glycosides (aucubin, catalpol, euphroside), flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin, luteolin), tannins, phenolic acids, lignans
Forms & Bioavailability
Iridoid glycosides and flavonoids are absorbed orally and partly metabolized by gut bacteria, but no pharmacokinetic studies exist for eyebright itself. For eye use, only sterile, preservative-appropriate commercial drops should be instilled into the eye; infusions made at home are not sterile, can harbor microbes, and may contain plant particles that scratch the cornea. A cooled, well-strained tea applied externally as a compress on closed eyelids is the safer traditional method, since it does not enter the eye directly.
Dosage Guidance
| Use Case | Dosage |
|---|---|
| Conjunctivitis / irritated eyes | Sterile commercial drops, 1 drop 1–5x daily |
| Eyelid compress | 1 tsp dried herb per cup boiled water, cooled and strained |
| Hay fever / sinus congestion (oral) | 1–2 g dried herb as tea, 2–3x daily |
| Tincture (oral) | 1–2 ml (1:5) up to 3x daily |
Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized dosing.
Potential Side Effects
Oral: generally well tolerated; large doses reported to cause confusion, headache, sweating, and nausea. Eye use: risk of contamination and infection with non-sterile preparations; stinging or redness
Who Should Avoid It
- Instilling non-sterile homemade preparations into the eye (infection risk)
- Contact lens wearers using any herbal eye preparation (remove lenses; risk of contamination)
- Eye pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, or thick discharge (these need medical assessment, not self-treatment)
- Recent eye surgery or corneal injury
- Known allergy to Euphrasia or related plants
Pregnancy & Lactation
There is no safety data on eyebright in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Oral use should be avoided during pregnancy because of the lack of information and traditional reports of effects at high doses. External compresses on closed eyelids are low risk. Commercial sterile eye drops have negligible systemic absorption, but check with a clinician before using any eye preparation while pregnant.
Known Drug Interactions
None well documented; theoretical additive effect with diabetes medications (mild glucose-lowering reported in animals)
Evidence Classification
Based on in vitro studies, animal models, pilot trials, or traditional use documentation. Clinical evidence is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make eyebright eye drops at home?
This is not recommended. Home infusions are not sterile, and bacteria or fungi introduced into the eye can cause serious infections, including corneal ulcers. Plant fragments can also scratch the eye. If you want to use eyebright for the eyes, use a commercially prepared sterile product, or apply a cooled, well-strained infusion as a compress on closed eyelids only.
Does eyebright work for pink eye?
The only human study, with 65 patients, found good results with sterile eyebright drops, but it had no placebo group, and most conjunctivitis clears up on its own within one to two weeks regardless of treatment. Viral and allergic conjunctivitis are self-limiting; bacterial conjunctivitis may need antibiotic drops. See a clinician if there is pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, or thick yellow-green discharge.
Is eyebright helpful for hay fever?
Herbalists commonly combine eyebright with nettle or elderflower for itchy, watery eyes and runny nose during pollen season, and its flavonoids have antihistamine activity in laboratory studies. There are no clinical trials to confirm benefit. It is generally safe to try as a tea for a few weeks, but antihistamines and nasal steroids have much stronger evidence.
Why is it called eyebright?
The name reflects both its traditional use and the medieval 'doctrine of signatures,' which held that a plant's appearance hinted at its use. Eyebright's white flower with purple veins and a yellow center was thought to resemble a bloodshot eye. The genus name Euphrasia comes from the Greek for 'gladness,' said to be the delight of restored sight.
References
- Prospective cohort trial of Euphrasia single-dose eye drops in conjunctivitis. Stoss M, Michels C, Peter E, et al.. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2000)
- Euphrasia officinalis extract inhibits inflammatory responses in human corneal epithelial cells. Paduch R, Woźniak A, Niedziela P, Rejdak R. Balkan Medical Journal (2014)
- Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis). MedlinePlus (2024)View study
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