Eyebright
Eyebright

Background

Eyebright is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.

Eyebright is taken by mouth for swelling (inflammation) of the nasal cavity and sinuses (rhinosinusitis), allergies, hay fever, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Despite serious risk of infection, some people apply eyebright directly to the eye for conjunctivitis, eyelid swelling (blepharitis), and eye fatigue.

In foods, eyebright is used as a flavoring ingredient.
When taken by mouth: Eyebright is LIKELY SAFE when taken in the amounts found in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if eyebright is safe when taken in amounts found in medicines. It might cause confusion, headache, nausea, constipation, cough, trouble breathing, trouble sleeping (insomnia), and other side effects.

When applied into the eye: Eyebright is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can be contaminated and cause eye infections. It might also cause tearing, itching, redness, vision problems, and other side effects.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if eyebright is safe to use when pregnant or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: Eyebright might lower blood sugar in some people. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use eyebright.

Surgery: Eyebright might lower blood sugar in some people. In theory, eyebright might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgical procedures. Stop using eyebright at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
  • Pink eye (conjunctivitis). Early research shows that about 82% of people with pink eye who use eyebright eye drops have symptoms resolve within 2 weeks. But pink eye usually resolves on its own within 2 weeks. So, it's unclear if eyebright has added benefit.
  • Allergies.
  • Colds.
  • Coughs.
  • Earaches.
  • Headache.
  • Swelling (inflammation) of the nasal cavity and sinuses (rhinosinusitis).
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of eyebright for these uses.

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of eyebright depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for eyebright. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Eyebright might lower blood sugar in some people. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking eyebright with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

Some medications for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Eyebright might lower blood sugar. Using it with other herbs and supplements that have this same effect might increase the risk of blood sugar dropping too low. Some of these herbs and supplements include devil's claw, fenugreek, guar gum, Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and others.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

The chemicals in eyebright might act as astringents and kill bacteria.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 19/02/2024 11:00:00 and last updated on 01/12/2014 22:58:10. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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