Medicinal plant used in naturopathy and traditional Chinese medicine
Eyebright has been known as a classic medicinal plant since the late Middle Ages. Its branching stems bear small leaves with up to ten long, pointed teeth along the margins, often clustered in small balls. Its white flowers, patterned with yellow and violet and featuring a dark spot in the throat, appear from June to September and are somewhat reminiscent of eyes. After flowering, eyebright produces flat capsule fruits, each containing several seeds, until about mid-October. Its medicinal properties: Eyebright is frequently used in homeopathy, naturopathy, and traditional Chinese medicine as a tea, compress, or eye bath. To prepare compresses, a small amount of the herb (not the roots) is mixed with water, briefly boiled, and then left to steep for a while. The cloths are then placed in the tea, wrung out slightly, and finally applied to the eyes. Its purported relief from digestive problems is likely due to the bitter substances (glycosides) it contains, which are released when used as a tea. For internal use, brew a tea by steeping one tablespoon of dried eyebright herb in half a liter of boiling water for ten minutes, then strain the brew.
Natural habitat: Eyebright is widespread globally, but primarily found in the Northern Hemisphere. It thrives in meadows, lightly fertilized pastures, dry riverbanks, and open woodlands.
