A homeopathic remedy is one in which herbs or other botanical extracts are administered in which a reaction is caused that is similar to the illness suffered by the patient. Euphrasia officinalis, or eyebright herb is said to be one such remedy.
Euphrasia officinalis proper is native to Great Britain; it is one species of a genus of wildcrafted herbs similar to eyebright herb that grows wild across the Northern Hemisphere. Interestingly, it resists most attempts at cultivation unless there are other plants for it to feed on; euphrasia officinalis is considered a "parasite" - part of a group of natural herbs and other plants that feed off of the roots of other plants, such as grasses.
Herbalists of the 1500s considered dried eyebright herb to be a medicinal herb appropriate as a treatment for the eyes. Traditionally, the plant was used fresh, cut off just above the root so the the milk could be collected.
This is also one of the organic herbs used in herbal cigarettes in Britain, which are smoked in order to treat bronchitis; while some Britons swear by this remedy, inhaling any kind of smoke is inadvisable.
Anyone purchasing wholesale eyebright herb for the purpose of preparing a homeopathic remedy are advised that any claims made for bulk herbs have not been confirmed by medical authorities and should be used cautiously and under the advice of a licensed herbalist or naturopath.
