Eyebright by Wanderer MoonChild

Botanical Basics

1. Common Name(s): Eyebright
2. Folk Name(s): Euphrasy, Red Eyebright, Bright Eye Herb
3. Scientific/Latin Name: Euphrasia officinalis (syn. Euphrasia rostkoviana)
4. Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape family)
5. Plant Type: Annual herb
6. Botanical Description: Small, low-growing herb (4–12 in. tall). Opposite toothed leaves, stems often branched. Flowers are tiny white to lilac with purple veins and a central yellow spot, resembling a bright eye. Semi-parasitic on grasses and clovers.
7. Growing Zones/Climate: USDA zones 4–8; temperate climates.
8. Best Zones for Growth: Northern and Central Europe; also found in temperate North America.
9. Habitat & Range: Meadows, pastures, grassy slopes, heaths.

Cultivation & Harvest

1. Soil & Sun Requirements: Prefers well-drained, moderately poor soils. Full sun or light shade.
2. Propagation: Grown from seed; challenging because of semi-parasitic nature (needs grasses as a host).
3. Companion Planting: Naturally grows with clovers, ryegrass, and other meadow grasses.
4. Harvesting Guidelines: Aerial parts (leaves, stems, flowers) harvested during flowering (June–August).
5. Drying/Preservation: Dry quickly in shade, store airtight. Retains potency for about one year.

Traditional & Historical Use

1. Cultural Significance: Used since the Middle Ages for “eye complaints”; Nicholas Culpeper called it a remedy for sight and spiritual vision.
2. Traditional Medicine: Infusions, washes, and poultices for conjunctivitis, eye strain, sinus congestion, colds, and hay fever.
3. Symbolism: Represents clarity, vision, truth-seeing.

Medicinal & Practical Properties

1. Active Constituents: Iridoid glycosides (aucubin), tannins, flavonoids, volatile oils, phenolic acids.
2. Medicinal Uses:
   
3. Eye rinses for irritation, conjunctivitis, eye fatigue
4. Infusions for sinusitis, colds, hay fever, and catarrh
5. Astringent for mucous membranes (respiratory and digestive)
   
6. Preparation Methods:
   
7. Tea/infusion (internal or external use)
8. Tinctures
9. Sterilized washes/compresses for eyes
   
10. Dosage & Guidelines:
    
11. Infusion: 1 tsp dried herb per cup, up to 3x daily
12. Tincture: 1–2 mL up to 3x daily
    
13. Safety/Precautions: Must be sterile if used in the eyes; not recommended during pregnancy; may interact with diuretics and antihypertensives.

Magical & Spiritual Properties

1. Elemental Association: Air
2. Planetary/Deity Correspondence: Sun; linked with Apollo (light, clarity)
3. Magical Correspondences: Clairvoyance, clear vision, truth, divination support
4. Ritual Use: Burned before scrying, brewed as tea before divination, added to sachets for “second sight.”
5. Symbolism in Divination/Dreams: Revealing truth, spiritual clarity, lifting illusions.

Ecological & Culinary Uses

1. Pollinator Value: Attracts bees and meadow insects.
2. Wildlife Uses: Provides nectar for insects in meadows; semi-parasitic on grasses.
3. Culinary Uses: Rare; occasionally blended into herbal teas for clarity and respiratory support.

Household/Practical Uses

1. Quick Uses: Eye rinse, sinus-clearing tea, psychic clarity charms.
2. Notable Traits: Difficult to cultivate because of parasitic growth habit.
3. Special Notes: Traditionally gathered from wild meadows rather than cultivated gardens.

Supporting Notes

1. References:
   
2. Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal (1931)
3. Mills, S., Bone, K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy (2013)
4. Hoffmann, D. Holistic Herbal (2002)
5. USDA Plant Database – Euphrasia officinalis
6.