Description and beneficial properties of eyebright. Eyebright Eyebright eye drops

Useful properties of eyebright

To save healing properties plants, it is collected during flowering, dried under canopies in the open air or in rooms with good ventilation. To dry the grass, you can use special dryers at operating temperature 40 °C. After drying, the grass is crushed and stored in boxes in thick paper packaging. Finished raw materials are afraid of moisture, so they should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated place.

Applications of eyebright

The healing properties of eyebright have been proven in the treatment of eczema and diathesis. She is providing positive impact on the scalp, promoting hair growth and improving its structure.

Eyebright for the eyes

For internal use, decoctions, infusions, tea or juice are used, for external use - various compresses, baths and lotions. If you are farsighted or myopic, you can add calendula flowers to your eyebright, which will enhance the effect of the drugs. When treating barley, it is recommended to add chamomile. They will raise antiseptic properties eyebright fennel fruit.

Tincture of eyebright

Recipe 1. For 50 g of dry eyebright herb, you need to use 220 ml of 70% alcohol, leave for ten days in a glass container in a dark and cool room at a temperature of 20–25 degrees Celsius, shake once every two days. Maximum term The tincture can be stored for five years.

Eyebright extract

Eyebright extract treats such respiratory diseases like sore throat, flu, asthma, bronchitis. It is used for inflammation gastrointestinal tract, diseases genitourinary system, at cardiovascular diseases. The drug can be used in the form of baths, poultices and lotions, dry extract - in the form of powder. Skin diseases - dermatitis, eczema, warts - are treated in the same way. In the treatment of these diseases, the drug is used both orally and in the form of lotions, instillations, and rinses.

An extract is an extract from a plant, which is prepared in alcohol or water; it can be purchased in homeopathic pharmacies.

Eyebright infusion

Recipe 1: For 200 ml of boiling water you will need 10 g of dry crushed herbs. It is poured with boiling water and allowed to brew for three hours, then filtered. The infusion is taken three times a day, half a glass.

Recipe 2: in 200 ml cold water you need to pour 2 teaspoons of chopped eyebright, bring to a boil and leave for 2-3 minutes. It is recommended to drink half a glass four times a day.

At the top, the flowers are collected in a bunch. The fruits are oblong oval boxes. Blooms this type from June to October. It grows in Ukraine, Belarus, the Caucasus, and the European part of Russia. Eyebright erecta can be found almost everywhere: in a meadow, in a forest and between stones, it also grows on sandy slopes.

This species is very widely used in folk medicine. The whole plant is used. The infusion is recommended for gastritis, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids. The decoction is used as an anti-inflammatory and expectorant. Warm decoction is used for coughs, flu, sore throat, and asthma. The decoction can be used as a lotion for ulcers, wounds and burns. The powder is prescribed for epilepsy and choking. It is also used for alcoholism. But eyebright is mainly used for eye diseases.

Recipe 1: In 200 ml of boiling water you need to pour 1 tablespoon of chopped herbs, leave for 2 hours and then strain. Take the medicine half a glass four times a day, rinse your eyelids with it.

Eyebright

Recipe 1. Pour 1-2 teaspoons of herbs into a quarter glass of cold water, bring to a boil and let it brew for 2 minutes. When the product has cooled, it is dropped into the corners of the eyes or used as a lotion for an hour and a half a day.

Recipe 2. Pour 3 teaspoons of eyebright herb into 250 g of cold water, bring to a boil and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. The composition is used for warm baths.

Contraindications to the use of eyebright

If as folk remedy Eyebright was chosen for the treatment of the disease; the medicinal properties and contraindications for the use of this plant should be carefully studied by the patient. The component is different strong effect and is used to eliminate a number of pathologies, including: cardiovascular disorders, digestive system, vision. Its use is justified for the treatment of colds and skin diseases.

In folk medicine, only above-ground parts are used - stem, leaves, flowers

In folk medicine, only the above-ground parts of the plant are used - stem, leaves, flowers. In preparation medicinal drugs Both fresh and dried ingredients are used in powder form. Based on these components, lotions are made, infusions and decoctions are obtained, which are used for external or internal use.

Traditionally, this component was used in the preparation of home remedies for the eyes. The advantage of eyebright over others is the combination high efficiency with minimal allergy (in the absence of individual intolerance). The zinc contained in its composition has a beneficial effect on the retina of the eye, preventing its detachment. And vitamin C helps normalize intracranial pressure, excessive levels of which lead to changes in the retina and decreased visual acuity.

The spring-summer period is often accompanied by the development of allergic reactions to the flowering of various crops. Prolonged eye strain and being in a dry room causes the cornea to dry out and discomfort. To reduce the intensity of irritation, it is recommended to use decoctions for rubbing the eyes.

Most often, eyebright herb is used in the preparation of remedies for the treatment of pathologies caused by excessive eye strain. When working at a computer, the organ of vision is often subject to fatigue and irritation, development inflammatory processes. The use of eyebright preparations is aimed at solving the following problems:

• increasing the ability of the eyes to quickly adapt to changes in light;
• reduction in the rate of age-related changes in vision;
• stimulation of metabolic processes;
• reduction of fatigue after prolonged stress.

For treatment eye diseases Eyebright is more often used - one of the subspecies of the culture. It is necessary to pour 3 tbsp into the jar. l. dry ingredient and pour boiling water over it. The container is wrapped in a warm cloth and left to infuse. The slightly cooled liquid is filtered and used as eye lotions, soaking cotton pads with it. To easily endure long-term stress, you need to rinse your tired eyes with the resulting product at least 2 times a day. For greater effectiveness, the herbal drink is taken orally. To prepare it, you need to pour a pinch of powder into 0.5 cups of hot milk and leave to infuse. The strained drink is taken in small sips for two weeks.

You need to know that the use of eyebright is effective only for the treatment of diseases of minor or moderate severity. For elimination severe consequences visual impairment requires treatment complex therapy under the strict supervision of a doctor. You should not self-medicate; contact a specialist immediately.

The plant easily eliminates the effects of conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, blepharitis, but is absolutely ineffective for the treatment of glaucoma, lens opacities, and acute vascular pathologies.

Gallery: eyebright grass (25 photos)

Eyebright (video)

Eyebright with colds

Eyebright is less known, but no less effective ingredient compounds for colds than honey and milk. The use of drugs helps relieve bronchial spasms, leading to painful coughing attacks. The action of this component stimulates the removal of sputum and contributes to the extinction of the inflammatory process.

Timely use of these compounds reduces the risk of leakage colds in a severe stage and quickly eliminate unpleasant symptoms. For greater effectiveness of therapy, a combination of eyebright drugs with antibiotics is recommended. Eyebright is most often used to treat colds due to its rich content of the following components:

• tannins that have anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects;
• flavonoids that promote speedy recovery by activating enzyme metabolism in the body;
• organic acids that have immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory functions;
• microelements necessary for a weakened body - magnesium, zinc, manganese.

A universal remedy used to treat bronchitis, sore throat and others serious illnesses upper respiratory tract, is a simple decoction of eyebright. It is necessary to pour 0.5 cups of powder into a saucepan, pour 1 liter of water over it, boil the mixture for 15 minutes, then remove from the stove and leave for 30 minutes. Take 3 tbsp of filtered drink. l. before meals several times a day.

There is a recipe where the herb is mixed with other ingredients. It is necessary to boil the composition of 1 tbsp for several minutes. l. poplar buds and 2 glasses of water, then stir in 2 tbsp. l. main remedy, elderberry, thyme, marshmallow. After simmering the liquid on the fire, it is removed from the stove and left for 2-3 hours. The drug is taken in 3 tbsp. l. before meals several times a day. At the same time, the liquid can be used as a throat rinse to relieve pain.

Eyebright for the treatment of dermatological diseases

The plant is effective means for the treatment of skin pathologies. The glycosides and tannins contained in its composition have a good anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. Taking medications based on it allows you to eliminate such unpleasant symptoms of diseases of this group as itching, irritation, minor ulcers, and swelling. These drugs are particularly effective in the treatment of diathesis and dermatitis in children.

Eyebright is a popular ingredient for preparing cosmetic compositions. Thanks to its high antiseptic, fat-burning, nutritional properties it is traditionally used to obtain anti-cellulite products. At the same time, it is an effective soothing component. Used to produce anti-inflammatory creams and emulsions. The application of these products to the dermis prone to rashes helps to increase its resistance to the action of external irritants and the rapid extinction of the acute phase of an already manifested disease.

To treat diathesis in children, 1 tbsp is needed. l. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the herbs and leave to steep. The filtered drink is given to children 1 tbsp. l. several times a day. To eliminate irritation in children over 10 years of age, the dose is increased to 3 tbsp. l. for the reception.

An alcohol tincture used for the treatment of dermatitis and eczema has high antibacterial properties. This product can be stored for 5 years without losing its beneficial properties. To prepare it, you need to pour 100 g of the main ingredient with 0.5 liters of alcohol and put it in a cool, dark place for a week. The drug is taken 20 drops 1 time per day.

To treat skin diseases, it is recommended to treat the affected areas with eyebright oil. To prepare it, you need to pour a handful of raw materials into a container, pour it with olive or sunflower oil in the amount necessary to completely cover the ingredient. Cover the container with the composition with a tight lid and put it in a cool, dark place for a week. The strained oil is rubbed into the damaged areas until the integrity of the integument is restored.

As antihistamine You can use eyebright tea. To prepare it, pour a handful of raw materials into a glass hot water and simmer on fire until boiling. The cooled and strained liquid is taken in small sips of 0.5 cups 2 times a day.

Eyebright erecta (video)

Contraindications to the use of drugs based on eyebright

The herb has a strong effect on the body and requires prior knowledge of the possible side effects of its use. Excessive use of drugs based on this plant is expressed in the form of a violent allergic reaction, manifested in the form of rash and itching. To avoid these consequences, it is necessary to take into account contraindications for the use of the component. Its use is unacceptable if the patient has the following disorders and conditions:

• individual intolerance to the ingredient;
• hypotension, which is aggravated by the influence of the plant;
• low stomach acidity;
• the presence of severe chronic pathologies;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• age up to 3 years.

It must be remembered that eyebright is classified as a poisonous representative of the flora. The glycoside aucubin contained in its composition, when entering the body, causes a violent irritation reaction. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the dosage and regimen prescribed by the doctor. You should not change the duration of therapy on your own. If there is a suspicion of development adverse reactions you need to immediately contact a specialist.

Despite the controversial use of eyebright to treat diseases, in in some cases The doctor can prescribe medications based on it for the treatment of pathologies of vision, respiratory tract, and skin. Possessing a strong effect, it is at the same time a rich source useful components. To protect yourself from possible side effects and get the maximum therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take medications based on this plant only after consultation with a specialist, strictly following the prescribed dosage.

A beautiful plant that stands out brightly in its habitat since ancient times has many interesting names: eye socket, eye grass, chamomile grass, crow's tears, meadow heather, toad grass, gourd grass, serpentine grass, fireweed and many others. But most often you can find its other name – eyebright. She has a lot useful elements, the composition of which has not yet been fully studied. As you might guess from some of the names, the main area of ​​activity of eyebright is the treatment of the eyes, but its action is not limited to this. So what can eyebright offer us? In what folk recipes can it be used? Let's look at these questions in more detail.

Appearance and habitat

Eyebright is a small annual plant reaching 10-25 centimeters in height; there are specimens with a 50-centimeter stem. The root is long, branched at the end. The straight but branched stem is dark red in color, all covered with small hairs. Leaves oval shape small, opposite, sessile, pointed at the edges. They are also covered with fluff. Flowers more often white have a purple pattern on the petals and are light yellow spot on " lower lip" They grow in the axils of leaves and reach 1 centimeter in length. The oval-shaped fruit is covered with hairs and contains brown seeds. The plant has no odor, but has a bitter-salty taste.

Chemical composition

Eyebright will help replenish everything necessary for the body vitamins and macroelements. It includes:
Provitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B group
Magnesium, manganese, iron, silicon, copper, zinc, boron, chromium, etc.
Tannins
Fat and essential oils
Organic acids
Coumarins
Saponins
Resins
Sahara
Bitterness
Anthocyanins
Lignan
Gallotannin
Blue dye
Flavonoids
Glycosides
And that's not all, because so far full composition The plants could not be studied.

Eyebright properties

As mentioned above, eyebright is used mainly for treatment various diseases eye:

• Inflammation of the eyes, eyelids and tear sacs;
• Cloudiness and spots on the cornea;
• Abscesses and tumors;
• Barley, conjunctivitis, rhinitis;
• Glaucoma, trachoma.
• The plant improves vision, helps cope with age-related changes vision and eye fatigue. Helps after surgery or injury.

But its benefits are not limited to this. Eyebright can cope with:

• Bronchitis, colds, sore throat, fever, asthma;
• Epilepsy;
• Gout, hernia;
• Swelling of the glands in the neck;
• Diseases of the digestive system, gastric catarrh, excess acidity gastric juice;
• Gastritis, colitis, catarrh of the colon, constipation;
• Liver diseases;
• Hypertension, heart disease, headache, hysteria;
• Rheumatism;
• Jaundice, cancer, tumors;
• Sclerosis and other memory impairments, absent-mindedness and slow thinking;
• Diathesis and eczema in children, skin tuberculosis;
• Skin diseases;
• Diseases of the prostate gland.

Eyebright acts as a strengthening and tonic and promotes better blood supply to the brain. Improves appetite, relieves inflammation and pain and soothes, eliminates abscesses, pimples and felons. It has astringent, enveloping, sedative, antispasmodic and hypotensive properties. In addition, eyebright stimulates growth hairline.

Medicinal recipes

For cooking folk remedies They use the ground part of the eyebright - leaves and flowers.

Infusion of eyebright. Pour 3 tablespoons of chopped herbs into a liter of boiling water. Leave for an hour. Strain. Use as follows:
Adults and children 5-12 years old: 3 times a day, ½ cup
Children under 5 years: 3 times a day, 1 tablespoon.
This infusion can be used as a compress for the eyes and washed with it 2 times a week to enhance hair growth.

Eyebright tea. Pour 1-2 teaspoons of chopped leaves into 200 ml of boiling water. Bring to a boil over low heat. Leave for 2-3 minutes and strain.
Put some in tea table salt and wash your eyes with it for blepharitis and conjunctivitis.

Decoction for conjunctivitis, barley, purulent wounds And skin diseases . Pour 3 teaspoons of eyebright into 400 ml of boiling water and cook for 10 minutes over low heat. Leave for an hour and strain. Use in the form of baths, warming up a little beforehand.

Infusion for fatigue, glaucoma, cataracts. Pour 50 grams of dried leaves into a glass container with 220 ml of 70% alcohol and leave for 10 days in the dark and cool, shaking once every 2 days. Apply to a cloth and wipe your eyes. This infusion can also be used for children. It disinfects and removes painful sensations. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 years.

Infusion for diathesis, eczema and skin tuberculosis in children. Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed eyebright into 2 cups of boiling water and leave for 2 hours. Strain. Give your child 3 times a day:
Children 3-5 years old – 1 tablespoon
Children 10 years old – 50 ml
Children over 10 years old – 1/3 cup.

Decoction for glaucoma. Pour 2 teaspoons of finely chopped herbs into ¼ glass of water and bring to a boil. Leave for 5 minutes. Strain. Use the decoction as drops: 3 times a day, drop 1 drop into each eye. You can also do lotions for 30 minutes. If you add a little table salt to the broth, you can use it as a rub.

Infusion for getting rid of tobacco addiction. Pour 50 grams of crushed eyebright with a liter of boiling water and let cool, strain. Rinse with infusion 3 times a day oral cavity.

Infusion for poor digestion, lack of appetite and eye diseases:
Pour 10 grams of dried crushed eyebright into 200 ml of boiling water and leave for 3 hours. Strain. Drink 3 times a day, ½ cup.
Pour 2 teaspoons of chopped herbs into a glass of water, bring to a boil, leave to steep for 2-3 minutes. Drink 4 times a day, ½ cup.

Infusion for angina pectoris. Pour 2 tablespoons of finely chopped eyebright into 2 cups of boiling water. Leave for 2 hours and strain. Drink 4 times a day, ½ cup.

Infusion for diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Pour 3 teaspoons of chopped herbs into 500 ml of boiling water. Leave for 2 hours, strain. Drink 4 times a day, ½ cup.
For oncology, stomach and liver diseases, you should take 3 grams of eyebright powder. You can drink it with a small amount of milk.

For cataracts, you should make lotions from eyebright infusion 2 times a day for 40 minutes to 1 hour.

Eyebright contraindications

There are very few contraindications to the use of eyebright, but they do exist.

• Eyebright is not recommended for low acidity of gastric juice and anacid gastritis.
• If you have low blood pressure, you should not use alcohol tincture. At high blood pressure you can't drink aqueous extract.
• It is also necessary to exclude eyebright from the diet during pregnancy and in case of individual intolerance.

Before use, consult your doctor and follow the dosage exactly.

Traditional methods of treatment do not always find support from doctors, but herbal medicine (treatment with medicinal herbs) is a full-fledged component of the official modern medicine. Medicines based on herbs are used everywhere. In this article we will talk about eyebright - the most effective herbal medicine in the field of ophthalmology.

Composition of eyebright

Chemical composition eyebright has not yet been fully studied. It has now been confirmed that the herb contains a whole bunch of vitamins, microelements and complex organic compounds, including:

• plant pigments flavonoids (strengthen blood vessels, remove free radicals);
• tannins (have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects);
• essential oils (tone, improve immunity, reduce stress);
• vitamins B, C, D; trace elements: iron, manganese, boron, copper.

Eyebright in folk medicine

Eyebright was first mentioned as remedy in medical treatises of the 14th century. The Spanish alchemist Arnold of Vilanova described it efficient use from many eye diseases, including cases of full sight of blind people after using tincture of eyebright. Other diseases were also treated with herbs. In folk medicine, eyebright was used in the form of a decoction, alcohol infusion ki, essences. Freshly squeezed juice was added to wine and ale, and used as compresses on problem areas.

IN therapeutic purposes Only the leaves and inflorescences of eyebright are used. The grass is collected during the period of active flowering in the second half of summer. Collected material dried in natural conditions before total loss moisture in well-ventilated, protected from direct sun rays places (usually hung in bunches under a canopy). The use of electric dryers is undesirable. The collection is stored in crushed form, in sealed packaging, since the grass loses its properties at the slightest contact with moisture. beneficial features.

Nature's Way, Eyebright, 100 Capsules

Eyebright in eye diseases

First of all, eyebright is known as a remedy for eye ailments. Herbalists widely use it in the following cases:

• conjunctivitis;
• corneal clouding;
• spicy purulent inflammation(barley, inflammation of the lacrimal sac);
• impaired lacrimation (dry or excessive tearfulness of the eyes);
• eye injuries;
• inflammation of the eyelids;
• eye fatigue due to prolonged strain;
• withdrawal allergic itching and swelling;
• age degenerative diseases eye.

Universal folk recipe preparing an infusion of eyebright:

Pour 1.5 cups of boiling water over a teaspoon of eyebright collection and brew for half an hour. Strain the resulting infusion through a cloth (several times if necessary) until clear. clear liquid. The infusion can be used in the form of anti-inflammatory lotions for the eyes, for washing in case of accumulation of pus, in the form eye drops when overworked or as a medicine, 80-100 ml half an hour after each meal.

Important! The prepared solution must be used within the next 24 hours. For children 5-10 years old, the recommended dosage is reduced by 2 times. Eyebright is contraindicated for children under 3 years of age.

When washing, you should adhere to following rules. The temperature of the infusion should not be higher than room temperature. For each eye, use a separate clean cotton swab soaked in liquid. Washing begins with outer corner eyes towards the bridge of the nose. Strong should be avoided mechanical impact(pressure) on the eyeball and eyelids. Make sure that pus from the tampon does not get back into the eye, change it as often as possible. The procedure can be repeated several times a day, with strong purulent discharge– every 2-3 hours.

You can apply eye drops 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops in each eye. In order for the medicine to be evenly distributed around the eyeball, when instilling, the pupils should be slightly rolled up and the drop should be directed to the outer corner of the eye. After getting the drop, immediately close your eyelids and make several circular movements with your eyeball.

Eyebright lotions are applied to the eyes to relieve inflammation and excessive tension. On average, compresses are kept for 15-30 minutes. If the cotton swab dries out prematurely, it should be re-wetted.

The tincture can be taken as maintenance therapy in combination with other medications. As an independent medicine, it is used for non-chronic mild eye diseases. When serious violations It is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist so as not to aggravate the problem and not lose vision.

Nature's Answer, Eyebright, Alcohol-Free, 2000 mg, 30 ml

Eyebright in other diseases

Eyebright is used in the treatment of the upper respiratory tract (bronchitis, asthmatic manifestations, allergic cough), with disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis and colitis). It has an analgesic effect, relieves muscle spasms, stabilizes arterial pressure and improves immunity.

Externally, eyebright is successfully used in the treatment of inflammation skin of various etiologies(allergic reactions, diseases of the dermis of a neurotic nature, chapped skin, pustular rashes, skin tuberculosis). It can be used in the treatment of dandruff and fungal infections.

As a preventive measure, decoctions of eyebright can be drunk as a seasonal remedy for colds, mild antidepressant and immunomodulator.

For inflammation of the throat (agina, tonsillitis), it is useful to rinse the larynx with a decoction of eyebright. You can add a few drops of eyebright to an inhaler to treat coughs and upper respiratory congestion.

Contraindications for taking eyebright may be:

• chronic diseases digestive tract during the period of exacerbation;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• age up to 3 years;
• individual intolerance to eyebright.

Due to the erect and highly branched stem, eyebright resembles a small bush 5-50 cm high. The shoots are covered with red-brown bark and short hair. Small petiolate leaves are attached oppositely. They are ovoid in shape and have serrated edges. On a young plant, the foliage is located along the entire length of the shoots, but the lower leaves quickly dry out and fall off.

In August, small two-lipped flowers bloom at the tops of the stems. They are located in the axils of the leaves and form a spike-shaped inflorescence. The length of the flower is 6-10 mm. Purple stripes are visible on the white petals, and there is always a yellow spot on the lip. Flowering continues until mid-October. After pollination, seed pods with many elongated small seeds ripen on the eyebright.

Types of eyebright

By various classifications The eyebright genus has 170-350 species. In culture, only certain varieties are most often used, since they are the most valuable medical point vision.

An herbaceous annual with an erect, branched stem reaches a height of 10-15 cm. Small leathery leaves with a relief pattern along the veins are colored in dark green color. Small flowers bloom in July-September. The white petals have a yellow spot and thin purple streaks. After pollination, the dry seed capsule ripens. Small brown seeds have a ribbed surface.

The grass consists of a single or weakly branched brown-brown stem 10-35 cm high. Internodes are located at equal distances, they contain single, short-petioled leaves. The ovate leaves with a serrated edge have different shapes along the entire length of the plant. Axillary pale purple flowers are located from the middle of the shoot, but a denser inflorescence is formed at its top. Flowering occurs in June-October.

Reproduction

Eyebright is propagated by sowing seeds. It makes no sense to sow them for seedlings, since the plant absolutely does not tolerate transplantation. IN open ground seeds can be sown in late autumn or mid-spring. Autumn sowings are more desirable, since the first shoots appear earlier and flowering will last longer.

Sow eyebright in small holes to a depth of 5 mm. Germination requires light, so you can only lightly press and sprinkle the seeds with soil. The planting site should be marked so as not to confuse young shoots with weeds.

Features of cultivation

Under natural conditions, eyebright grows on mountain slopes, wastelands, steppes, and along roadsides. Growing it in culture is quite simple. The plant grows well in open, sunny places or in some shade. In heavily shaded areas, eyebright is sick and almost does not bloom.

The soil for planting should not be too fertile. Swampy and damp soils are also unacceptable. Before planting, you should loosen the soil well and add sand or small stones to it. Clay or sandy soils with an acidic reaction are ideal.

In temperate climates there is no need to worry about watering. Eyebright will have enough natural precipitation. It also does not need fertilizers.

Flowers and shoots of eyebright contain many biologically active substances, among them:

• fixed oils;
• coumarins;
• flavonoids;
• essential oils;
• saponins;
• trace elements (magnesium, chromium, copper, manganese, silicon).

Blank medicinal raw materials carried out during the flowering period. The shoots are cut and dried outdoors under a canopy, or in special dryers with temperatures up to 40°C.

The most common use of eyebright is for eye diseases. It effectively fights conjunctivitis, redness of the mucous membranes, allergic reactions, dryness, age-related vision loss, spots on the cornea. Of course, eyebright is not a panacea for all vision problems. For cataracts, glaucoma and others serious illnesses treatment must be supplemented with other drugs.

In addition to the listed properties, eyebright has anti-inflammatory, expectorant, astringent and tonic effects. Decoctions and infusions from it are used to combat:

• bronchitis;
• eczema;
• gastrointestinal disorder;
• gastritis;
• allergies.

How to use eyebright

There are many recipes based on eyebright. For eye lotions, a herbal tincture is usually used. It must be prepared in a water bath so that the temperature of the liquid does not exceed 60°C. 25 g of dried herb are poured into a glass of water and left for 20 minutes. The strained drug should be used within 24 hours.

For internal use, an alcoholic infusion of eyebright is used. 50 g of raw materials are poured into a glass of alcohol with a strength of 70%. Infuse for 10 days, in dark place at room temperature.

Eyebright extract is prepared in the laboratory. It has anti-inflammatory and general strengthening effect, and also reduces degenerative processes in eyeball. You can buy the drug at a pharmacy.

Contraindications

The use of eyebright has a number of contraindications. It should not be used by pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under three years of age.

It has been noted that taking medications from eyebright lowers blood pressure, so they are contraindicated for hypotensive patients. If you are allergic to field herbs, there is a high probability of a reaction to eyebright. Also, doctors do not recommend taking medications with it for people with low acidity stomach.