What it is
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) is a semi-parasitic herb native to Europe, traditionally used as an eyewash and oral remedy for inflammatory eye conditions for over 700 years in anthroposophical medicine.
Supplement · Herb
Eyebright
Euphrasia officinalis · Euphrasia rostkoviana · Eyebright Herb
500 mg · vegan · gluten-free · 60 caps
ConjunctivitisEye irritationBlepharitisEye fatigue Eye
Affiliate link · we earn from qualifying purchases. No paid placements.
How it works
Eyebright contains iridoids, flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin), and phenolic acids with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. In vitro studies show it scavenges ROS on human corneal cells and inhibits common eye pathogens. A small prospective cohort trial found 81.5% complete recovery from conjunctivitis with Euphrasia eye drops.
Who should take it
Individuals with mild conjunctivitis, blepharitis, or eye irritation seeking traditional herbal support alongside standard care.
Avoid / careful
Do not use as a substitute for antibiotic therapy in bacterial conjunctivitis. Oral use is generally safe; topical eye drops should be sterile and preservative-free. Avoid in pregnancy due to insufficient safety data.
Build your stack
Pick a depth — minimum to maximal coverage
One
If you pick just one
1 supplement
Eyebright
MES
Minimum effective stack
3 supplements
Full stack
No full stack configured.
Click individual supplement pills above to buy each on Amazon India.
When to take it
Morning
✓ Spread doses throughout the day for sustained anti-inflammatory effect
Noon
Evening
✓ Spread doses throughout the day for sustained anti-inflammatory effect
Night
How to take it
With food
✓ Take with meals to reduce GI irritation from tannin content
Empty stomach
Before food
FAQs
Frequently asked
How long until Eyebright starts working?
Most supplements show effects in 2-8 weeks of consistent daily use. Notable effects from Eyebright typically appear within this window, though individual response varies based on baseline status, dose, and underlying biochemistry.
When should I take Eyebright?
Eyebright works best taken morning or evening, ideally with food. Typical dose: 500 mg–1 g/day as oral capsule or tea. Consistency over time matters more than perfect timing.
Is Eyebright safe to take long-term?
For most adults, yes — with the cautions noted: Do not use as a substitute for antibiotic therapy in bacterial conjunctivitis. Oral use is generally safe; topical eye drops should be sterile and preservative-free. Avoid in pregnancy due to insuffic. Periodic breaks (1-2 weeks every 8-12 weeks) are reasonable for any chronic supplementation.
Is Eyebright vegan and vegetarian-friendly?
Yes — Eyebright is vegan and vegetarian-suitable. Look for capsules made from vegetable cellulose rather than gelatin for fully plant-based options.
Is Eyebright available in India and what should I look for when buying?
Eyebright is widely available on Amazon India and in supplement stores in major cities. Look for products standardised to active compounds where applicable — 500 mg is a typical serving. Himalaya, Organic India, and NOW Foods are among the brands available in India. Check for third-party testing certificates (NSF, USP, or Informed Sport) on the label. Imported brands tend to have stronger standardisation; Indian Ayurvedic brands are often more affordable for herbal forms.
How do I know if Eyebright is actually working?
The best way to track Eyebright's effect is to note the specific symptoms you're addressing — and recheck relevant blood markers at 8–12 weeks. Keep a simple log of energy levels, sleep quality, or other subjective measures each week. If you're using it for blood marker improvement (TSH, ferritin, LDL etc.), compare before and after values. Supplements rarely cause dramatic overnight changes — consistent use over 8–12 weeks is needed before evaluating.
Research
3 studies · 2000 – 2015 · Trial sizes vary — see individual studies for sample sizes. 3
Studies reviewed
2000 – 2015
C
Evidence grade
see methodology note
81.5%
Notable effect size
J Altern Complement Med 2000
3 RCTs
Cited evidence
PubMed-verified
Eyebright capsules and raw ingredient — laboratory quality standardised extract
real-life image
Clinical trial setting — Conjunctivitis measurement protocol
real-life image
Eyebright effect on Conjunctivitis — before/after comparison
real-life image
How it works
Eyebright contains iridoids, flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin), and phenolic acids with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Reported effects across cited trials
Each bar = one cited trial. Effect varies by methodology, dose, and population.
Primary outcome trend across 12-week trial
Representative cohort from published RCT data
Relative to baseline (100). Data from published clinical literature.
Featured studies
Prospective cohort trial of Euphrasia single-dose eye drops in conjunctivitis
65 patients
→ 81.5% complete recovery and 17% clear improvement in inflammatory/catarrhal conjunctivitis after ~7 days of Euphrasia eye drops; no serious adverse events
Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne Essential Oil
In vitro
→ Eyebright essential oil showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive eye pathogens (S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. faecalis) and Candida albicans
Assessment of Eyebright (Euphrasia Officinalis L.) Extract Activity in Relation to Human Corneal Cells Using In Vitro Tests
In vitro
→ Ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of E. officinalis showed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and non-cytotoxic effects on human corneal epithelial cells
Evidence grade
ABCD
C · Strong traditional use and promising in vitro data; one small open-label cohort trial supports conjunctivitis efficacy. Large RCTs are absent.
In plain English
A plain-English read of the literature behind this supplement. Not a clinical recommendation.
Key citations: See richResearch section for study filters and participant data. Clinical evidence summarised from peer-reviewed journals.
From the blog
· 7 min read
Eyebright for Conjunctivitis: protocol, dose, and what to track
How to use Eyebright specifically for Conjunctivitis — the right dose, timing, blood markers to track, and how to know if it is working.
#herb#conjunctivitis#protocol
· 6 min read
Eyebright: what the research actually shows
A clinical evidence review of Eyebright — RCT data, effect sizes, evidence grade, and what the numbers mean for your specific situation.
#herb#research#evidence
· 8 min read
Eyebright: complete India guide
Everything you need to know about Eyebright — mechanism, dose, safety, buying guide for India, and what the research actually says.
#herb#guide#india
Editorial notes
SacredBod's longer take on Eyebright — context the structured blocks above don't capture.
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) is a semi-parasitic herb native to Europe, traditionally used as an eyewash and oral remedy for inflammatory eye conditions for over 700 years in anthroposophical medicine.
Eyebright contains iridoids, flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin), and phenolic acids with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. In vitro studies show it scavenges ROS on human corneal cells and inhibits common eye pathogens. A small prospective cohort trial found 81.5% complete recovery from conjunctivitis with Euphrasia eye drops.
Who benefits most
Individuals with mild conjunctivitis, blepharitis, or eye irritation seeking traditional herbal support alongside standard care.
Dosage and form
500 mg is the typical effective range. Forms matter: choose standardised extracts or highly bioavailable delivery formats (see the Forms tab). Take as directed.
Side effects and cautions
Generally well-tolerated topically and orally. Avoid if you: Do not use as a substitute for antibiotic therapy in bacterial conjunctivitis. Oral use is generally safe; topical eye drops should be sterile and preservative-free. Avoid in pregnancy due to insufficient safety data..
The evidence
Human clinical trials and mechanistic research support the use of Eyebright for its primary indication. See the Research tab for full citations and study summaries.
Added to your stack.