History of Eyebright

The herb commonly known as eyebright has the Latin name Euphrasis officinalis. The French name is Casse-lunette and the German name is Augentrost which means consolation of the eyes. The name Euphrasis is derived from the Greek word Euphrosyne which means gladness. In Greek mythology, one of the three graces who was known for her joy and mirth was also named Euphrosyne. The herb may have been named after the grace Euphrosyne because the herb also brings joy and gladness to the person who is suffering from eye problems as this herb has many medicinal properties that are beneficial to the eye.

Another old tradition says that the Greek word Euphrosyne was given to the small finch known as a linnet. The story goes that the linnet was the first to use the leaf of the herb to help clear the sight of her young. The linnet then passed this knowledge on to mankind who named the herb in honor of the bird.

Although the eyebright herb has a name of Greek origin, the ancient herbalists such as Dioscorides and Pliny make no mention of this herb. It is not until the fourteenth century that we see it mentioned in Gordon’s “Liticium Medicina,” 1305, where it is considered medicine for the eye ‘outwardly in a compound distilled water and inwardly as a syrup.’ Matthaeus Sylvaticus, a physician of Mantua, recommended this herb for disorders of the eyes. A treatise on the virtues of eyebright, entitled “Vini Euphrasiati tantopere celebrati,” was written by Arnoldus Villanovanus who said ‘it hath restored sight to them that have been blind a long time.’ Hildamus also believed that it would restore the sight of many people who were seventy or eighty years old.

In the sixteenth century the herbalists such as Tragus, Fuchsius, and Dodoens regarded eyebright as a specific in diseases of the eyes. In 1616, in the book “Countrie Farm,” Markham says: ‘Drinke everie morning a small drought of Eyebright wine’ this was claimed to help the dimness of sight and restored old men’s sight to read small letters without their spectacles when they could hardly read large letters with their spectacles before. In 1671, Salmon said that eyebright strengthens the head, eyes and memory and clears the sight. The famous seventeenth century herbalist Nicholas Culpepper said, ‘if the herb was but as much used as it is neglected, it would half spoil the spectacle maker’s trade and a man would think that reason should teach people to prefer the preservation of their natural before artificial spectacles, which that they may be instructed how to do…Being used in any of the ways, it strengthens the weak brain or memory.’ He also said eyebright helped, ‘all infirmities of the eyes that cause dimness of sight.’ In the eighteenth century eyebright tea was used, and there was a kind of ale called ‘Eyebright Ale’ used in Queen Elizabeth’s time.

Poet’s such as John Milton used Euphrasis in their poems and described the benefits of eyebright on the eye. In his poem “Paradise Lost”, an angel gives Adam rue and eyebright to purge his sight. The Doctrine of Signatures was also credited as having prompted the use of eyebright for eye problems. One writer pointed out, ‘the purple and yellow spots and stripes which are upon the flowers of the Eyebright doth very much resemble the diseases of the eye, as bloodshot, etc., by which signature it hath been found out that this herb is effectual for the curing of the same.’

Eyebright is not used in the orthodox medical profession today and they take pride in poking fun at the Doctrine of Signatures which eyebright is a ready example of. There has been a lack of research and scientific studies which also leads to their derision of eyebright. Even the Commission E of Germany that is open minded and recommends many herbs for use, does not recommend eyebright because of the lack of research and the problems of keeping the formulas sterile enough to use in the eyes. However, most modern herbalists highly recommend eyebright and they have many formulas that contain eyebright. Naturopaths and Homeopaths recommend and use eyebright formulas as well. Because eyebright seems to work for those who try it and because so many herbal companies are formulating formulas with eyebright, we are starting to see some research and small studies being done on the effects of eyebright by these herbal companies.