Euphrasia Officinalis: Homeopathic Medicine – Its Use, Indications And Dosage

The remedy Euphrasia Officinalis is derived from the plant eyebright. It belongs to family Scrophulariaceae. There is a black spot in the petals of flowers of this plant that look like pupils of the eye that made ancient people use this medicine for eye complaints. Its utilization for treating various eye problems has been confirmed in homeopathic experiments too. When this plant goes through potentization (process of preparing homeopathic medicines that arouses medicinal properties of a crude substance), it gets converted into a brilliant homeopathic remedy Euphrasia Officinalis. It is a top-listed and highly recommended medicine in homeopathy for treating numerous eye-related concerns mainly eye allergies, conjunctivitis and excessive eye watering (lachrymation) along with itching and burning.

The ‘Euphrasia Officinalis’ Constitution

This medicine mostly suits people who are predisposed to eye complaints. It is also helpful in treating nasal allergy.

 Drug Action

It acts most effectively on the mucus membrane of eyes and nose and helps to manage irritation and watery discharge from eyes. Its action on nose, chest and lungs is also marked. It also acts well on head, skin and male and female genitals.

Clinical Indications

Eye disorders, eye allergy, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, iritis, ptosis, keratitis, corneal ulcer, hay fever, cold, cough, headache, warts and measles.

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Eye Complaints (Eye Allergy, Conjunctivitis, Blepharitis, Iritis, Ptosis, Keratitis, Corneal Ulcer, Pterygium)

Euphrasia is a highly preferred and frequently used remedy as the first line of treatment for various eye-related complaints. Among its numerous indications, the first one is eye allergy. It has shown great clinical improvement in cases where there is excessive watering from eyes, swelling of eyes, redness of eyes and itching, burning in eyes. It is one of the major homeopathic medicines for hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis characterized by symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, watery, red itchy eyes). There is heavy eye-watering that causes irritation and burning sensation in the eyes, along with bland nasal discharge that doesn’t cause any irritation.  Secondly, it works well in cases of conjunctivitis (inflammation of conjunctiva that is the transparent membrane lining the eyelids and eyeball). Here, it is indicated when eyes are red along with watery mucus or thick yellow discharge, accompanied by itching and burning in eyes. A sensation of sand-like particle in the eyes is yet another attending symptom. Euphrasia proves to be very effective in treating eye pain. There is cutting, sharp, pressive or burning pain in eyes.

It is suggested for swelling of eyelids when accompanied with burning sensation. The eyelids may be agglutinated (sticking together). There is burning pain in the eyes along with watering (lachrymation) especially when its windy. Itching in the eyes with frequent wiping and frequent blinking of eyes can also be relieved with this remedy. Euphrasia has notable action in cases suffering from dryness of eyes and eyelids. Persons with photophobia means sensitivity to bright light can also benefit from it. If a person suffers from iritis (inflammation of iris i.e. the coloured part of eyes), Euphrasia is considered where eyes are red with aching darting pain, watery eyes and sensitivity to bright light. It is also recommended for treating Keratitis (inflammation of cornea which is a clear protective layer covering iris, pupil and anterior chamber of eye). Here, it is given when there is light sensitivity, excessively watery eyes, and pus like discharge.

Euphrasia is recommended for managing cases of corneal ulcer with excessive eye watering with smarting or clear mucus discharge or thick pus like discharge, accompanied by eye pain and light sensitivity. Its use is recommended for ptosis (drooping of upper eyelid) and pterygium (an abnormal tissue growth on conjunctiva and cornea) cases as well. One may find it useful to manage eye inflammation, pain in eyes, excessive eye watering and burning sensation after an eye injury. Lastly, it can be used for cases of blepharitis (inflammation of eyelids). There is redness, swelling, dryness of lids with itching, burning and watering from eyes in such cases.

Key Indicating Features

Hay fever with acrid eye-watering along with bland nasal discharge

Eye allergies with profuse watering from eyes, swollen, red eyes and itching, burning in eyes

Conjunctivitis with red eyes, watery mucus or thick yellow discharge from eyes along with itching and burning

Eye itching and burning

Excessive watering from eyes that cause irritation, itching and burning in eyes

2. Nasal Complaints (Hay Fever, Sneezing, Runny Nose)

This medicine has a prominent action on mucus membrane of nose. It is an effective medicine for treating hay fever which is a response to allergens (like dust mites, pollens) that causes symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery red eyes. The characteristic feature to use it is excessive, watery, bland (without any irritation or burning) nasal discharge and excessive acrid watering from eyes. Sneezing is frequent, inner nose feels sore and painful. The eyes are red and eyelids are swollen. Persons needing it may have runny nose in the day and suffer nasal blockage at night. Cough with expectoration may occur in the morning with above symptoms. Its use is also indicated for nose bleeding.

Key Indicating Features

Bland nasal discharge along with acrid eye discharge

 3. Chest And Lungs (Pain Behind Sternum, Cough)

Euphrasia mainly helps to manage pain under the sternum felt during inhalation. With its action on lungs, it is capable of managing cough occurring especially in morning with mucus expectoration and watery nasal discharges. It is also beneficial to relieve cough in daytime with excessive eye watering. Along with cough, a person may complain of difficulty in breathing. In cases needing it, cough occur in the morning as soon as one rises from the bed and does not occur at night at all. Cough is accompanied by excessive expectoration.

Key Indicating Features

Sharp pain under sternum during respiration

Cough in morning with mucus expectoration and watery nasal discharges

Cough in daytime with excessive eye watering

4. Head (Headache)

Euphrasia Officinalis acts well on the head to manage complaint of headache. The most important symptom to use this medicine is headache with cold, excessive discharge from nose and eyes. Its use is recommended when pain in forehead is present along with sensitivity to bright light.

Key Indicating Features

Headache with cold, excessive discharge from nose and eyes

5. Skin Issues (Measles, Warts And Eruptions)

It acts wonderfully in cases of measles with watery eyes and runny nose. It renders valuable service in treating warts (raised bumps on skin resulting from infection caused by Human Papilloma virus) that itch. Its use in treating eruptions around the eyes and on the nose also brings good results.

Key Indicating Features

Measles with watery eyes and runny nose

Itchy warts

Eruptions around eyes and on nose

6. Male Problems (Itching, Warts)

This medicine is beneficial for treating male problems like itching on glans and prepuce. Secondly, it can be given to treat warts on genitals, where there is itching and stinging in warts. There is soreness and burning pain in warts on being touched. Lastly, it can be used for cases of prostatitis.

Key Indicating Features

Itching on glans and prepuce

Warts attended with itching and stinging sensation

7. Female Problems (Late, Scanty Short Periods, Warts)

Females can find this medicine useful for late, scanty and short menses. The periods last just for an hour or a day in cases where this medicine is required. The flow of blood during menses is scanty, accompanied by pain. Its use can also be considered to treat warts on genitals. There is itching and stitching in these warts, mainly while walking.

Key Indicating Features

Late, scanty and short menses

Menses lasting just for one hour or a day

Warts on genitals with itching and stitching mainly when walking

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse from sunlight, wind, in evening, indoors and from warmth

Relieving factors: Complaints are better in open air, in dark and from taking coffee

Dosage

It can be used in both low and high potencies. Its frequent repetition can be considered in low potencies but in high potencies, frequent repetition of this medicine should be avoided. Its action lasts for about 7 days.

Relationship with Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Camphor and Pulsatilla

Followed well by: Aconite, Conium, Merc Sol, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Silicea and Sulphur