Eyebright

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) is a small flowering plant traditionally used in European herbal medicine for eye irritation, conjunctivitis, and seasonal allergies.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Eye irritation / conjunctivitis (traditional use)

Mixed Evidence

Long traditional use for eye complaints, but rigorous clinical evidence for either oral or topical eyebright preparations is very limited.

How it works

Eyebright contains iridoid glycosides (aucubin), flavonoids, and tannins. Tannins are astringent and may reduce mucous membrane secretion, which underlies its traditional use for eye irritation and watery discharge. Iridoids show modest anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory studies. Clinical evidence for eyebright in humans is limited. One small study suggested an eyebright eye drop product might improve conjunctivitis symptoms, but this is not generalizable to oral supplements or to other product preparations.

Dosage

No established RDA. Traditional doses are 2-4 g of dried herb as a tea up to three times daily, or 1-2 ml of tincture three times daily. Capsule products vary; follow labeling.

When and how to take it

WHEN: No specific time required. HOW: Take with water; oral capsules can be taken with food to reduce stomach upset. Do not put homemade preparations in your eyes.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried herb / tea

Traditional preparation method.

Tannins and water-soluble compounds extracted by steeping.

Tincture / extract

Alcohol-based extracts used in capsules or drops.

Concentrated form; faster absorption.

Safety

Oral eyebright is generally considered safe in traditional doses, though human safety data are limited. Side effects can include mild GI upset. Topical use (homemade eye washes) carries infection risk if not properly sterilized.

Who should be cautious

Avoid putting non-sterile eyebright preparations into the eyes. Limited safety data in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and children. Discuss with a clinician before use.

Interactions

No significant interactions reported. Theoretical interaction with antidiabetic medications based on traditional use, but not well documented.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put eyebright tea in my eyes?⌄

Not recommended. Homemade preparations are not sterile and can introduce bacteria, risking eye infection. If you want a topical eye product, use only commercial sterile preparations.

References

Eyebright on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Eyebright on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Eyebright (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.