Dangers in Drinking Eyebright Tea

Eyebright has been used for centuries and has been known for treating ocular problems and respiratory ailments. But because there has not been any testing done on eyebright, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the German Commission E are remaining impartial on its safety. Yet most herbalist and homeopathic physicians still support the qualities of the ancient herb.

Eyebright, an Age-Old Herb

• The herb eyebright has been used for centuries and usually is hand picked in the wild mostly in Europe and some parts of Africa and the United States. Just as the name implies, eyebright has been medicinally used for ailments of the eyes such eye fatigue, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, and internally for coughs and hoarseness.

  Since sufficient testing has not been done on eyebright, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the German Commission E, state that the herb should be used with caution. There are also many physicians that discourage the use of homemade decoctions and encourage the use of only sterile eyebright solutions available at herbal centers and health food stores.

Properties

• Although there are not many scientific studies to support eyebright and its nutritional value, suggestions for its medicinal benefits are still in favor. At the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, research center studies showed that a single-dose eye drops of Euphrasia (eyebright) can effectively and safely be used for various conjunctival conditions by general practitioners and ophthalmologists. Their suggested dose would be one drop administered three times a day. As well, many herbalists and naturopaths believe that eyebright contains useful tannins, antibacterial properties, niacin, riboflavin, zinc, iodine, bioflavonoids, essential fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, D and B complex.

Drinking Eyebright Tea

• Eyebright continues to be used by herbalists and when used internally is considered generally safe if used in the correct doses. Eyebright tea can be taken a few times a day for coughs, sore throat, sinus problems, hay fever, allergies, sinusitis, nausea and the common cold. The Reference Guide for Natural Herbs considers eyebright to be a very effective treatment especially for allergies and sinusitis. Although, if you are pregnant or lactating you should not take eyebright since sufficient studies of possible side effects have not been conducted.

Doses

• The correct dose depends on many things such as health and age. It is important to realize natural products are not always safe. It is recommended to follow the instructions on the label for the recommended dosage and to consult a physician before using. Individual results can vary so it is also important to consult your physician if you are taking other medication or herbs before using eyebright

Possible Side Effects

• On very rare occasions, eyebright can cause an allergic reaction with symptoms that include closing of the throat, difficulty in breathing, rash, hives, and swelling of the lips, tongue or mouth. If you have adverse symptoms after using eyebright you should seek immediate medical attention.

  Most concerns with eyebright and its safety are geared toward ocular applications. According to WebMD, eyebright used directly on the eyes may not be safe due to contamination which can cause infections. The side affects that are possible are nausea, itching, headache, confusion, tearing, trouble breathing, constipation, sweating and other symptoms. Compresses are another concern and should be avoided because of the possible risk of infection due to sterility issues.