All About Eyebright

Eyebright, as you might expect, is an aptly named herbal supplement that does a lot for your vision. While it may sound like it brightens your vision, it actually does a lot more. It gets its name from the fact that herbalists most often use it to treat eye infections.

Historically speaking, eyebright has been a powerhouse in treating a variety of ailments before the advent of modern antibiotics. In fact, its natural antibacterial properties continue to help soothe irritated eyes. It is also known to sometimes help with things like seasonal allergies. So, we know it can help ease discomfort and treat certain conditions, but does eyebright improve vision? Let’s dive into this unique herb and what it can do for your vision.

What Is Eyebright Good For?

Eyebright is also known as Euphrasia. It is found in different parts of the United Kingdom as well as in more snowy locations in Europe, like the Alps. Growing from two to four inches high, the plant produces tiny flowers at the top of its green stems that are often purple, violet, or a blue-white color. They also often have some yellow pigmentation to guide bees and other pollinators.

Eyebright was mentioned in historical documents for the first time in 1305 by an herbalist named Nicholas Culpeper. He claimed that this herb “straightened the brain.” In his day, eyebright was used to treat memory loss and vertigo. Though little scientific evidence supports Culpeper’s claims about the effectiveness of eyebright on the brain, as medicine became more sophisticated in the Elizabethan era, so did the use of the plant.

Instead of being used to straighten up a person’s brain, it was used more effectively during the Middle Ages and Renaissance to treat ailments such as eye infections, coughs, sinus infections, hay fever (and other allergies), and sore throats. The herb could be found in tea form or sometimes in ales called Eyebright Ale.

While by today’s standards it might not treat vertigo or memory loss per se, preliminary studies also suggest that eyebright may be an effective treatment for things like Alzheimer’s disease. However, more research needs to be done to gather conclusive evidence.

How and When to Take Eyebright

So, eyebright has historically been used both topically and orally. In this way, it can improve vision both by soothing externally irritated eyes and by reducing internal inflammation.

While using small doses of eyebright is safe, it’s important to be cautious. Always consult your doctor before adding a new supplement to your regimen, even if you are only using it to ease occasional discomfort.

It’s also important to be particularly careful if you are pregnant. This is because there just aren’t any studies on how eyebright might impact pregnant women. If you experience any discomfort that you might normally treat with eyebright during pregnancy, consult your doctor for advice.

Does Eyebright Improve Vision?

As we’ve said already, the eyebright plant has long been used as a topical treatment to relieve eye irritation. Historically, herbalists would soak the flowers in boiled water.  Once the water had cooled to a warm temperature, the patient would put the cup around their eye and let it bathe in the eyebright solution. This definitely isn’t the most convenient way to harness the power of eyebright, so luckily, there are easier ways to enjoy its benefits today. For example, eyebright eye drops are widely available and offer similar relief.

As the herb can also be ingested, it has been credited with treating internal eye conditions as well. Some of these eye conditions include conjunctivitis and blood vessel inflammation. It is also said that eyebright can improve circulation in the eye. While this doesn’t directly impact your vision in the way other supplements to improve vision do, it is definitely beneficial for your overall eye health. For example, you wouldn’t take eyebright for blurry vision as your first choice necessarily, but if there is inflammation or irritation causing your blurry vision, it might be effective.

How to Use Eyebright

Eyebright comes in a variety of forms. Luckily, you don’t need to harvest it from your local park to obtain its benefits anymore (and you probably won’t be able to find it in the wild, anyway!). Luckily, there are lots of easier ways to take advantage of eyebright benefits these days.

If you’re looking to apply it externally, the eyebright herb can be found in eye drops, lotions, compresses, and eye baths. All these options provide your eyes with quick relief from outer eye discomfort. The lotion is especially good for those with itchy and dry eyelids. Taking advantage of one of these options can be really relaxing after a long day of work.

If you’d rather ingest eyebright, you also have a variety of options. Eyebright comes in teas, herbal tobacco (used to treat lung conditions), and supplements like our Ocu-Plus Formula. An eyebright tea at the start of each day is a relaxing way to stay healthy and wake up your senses before a long day of work.

Supplements come in capsules and in liquid form. Simply swallow the capsule or drop a dose of a tincture into your water for easy access.

Best Sources of Eyebright

The form of eyebright you should take greatly depends on the condition you are trying to treat. If you’re just looking for general eye maintenance, taking it in a blend of herbs like our Ocu-Plus Formula is a great option. If you have a more acute issue you are trying to treat, it’s always best to consult your doctor first.

Eyebright lotion is the most effective topical treatment. A soothing lotion will provide immediate anti-inflammatory relief, and it’s quicker than an eye bath or compress. Baths and compresses can take up to 20 minutes or more. However, once the lotion is applied, you’re ready to start your day. Your eyes will absorb the benefits as you move through your daily tasks.

If you’re looking to use herbal supplements to improve your eye health and relieve discomfort, eyebright is the herb for you. Its anti-inflammatory properties and natural way of warding off infection make it a great choice to either start or end your day with.