Eyebright (Euphrasia) is a plant of short stature, which is related to the family Norichnikovye. Wild plantations of culture are found everywhere in the countries of Eastern and Central Europe. In the field of agriculture, grass is classified as a weed that harms crops.
However, eyebright has long been trusted in medicine and is in great demand as one of the most healing remedies. The plant helps in the fight against eye diseases, as you can guess, judging by the name. In addition, it is used in the treatment of many other diseases. Since the overgrowth of grass can grow strongly, it is easy to plant unaffected areas in the garden with eyebright so that you always have an indispensable assistant nearby.
Description of the plant
Representatives of this species are annuals with a strong vertical rhizome, which goes deep and reliably clings to the soil. Haustoria take root. We are talking about parasitic shoots that feed on donor plants. For this reason, eyebright is a threat to cereals and other useful crops. The structure of the grass is arranged in such a way that its root processes develop due to nearby plants. The “donor” deprived of nutrients eventually dies. Eyebright develops even in the absence of haustoria, but this process takes much longer.
The straight stem branches in different directions and forms a low bush, reaching 5-50 cm in length. The fleecy red-brown shoots are covered with small opposite leaves with a petiole base. Ovate leaves are distinguished by slightly dissected serrated tips. In young specimens, foliage is located over the entire surface of the shoot, but over time, some of the plates in the lower part wither and begin to fall off.
At the end of summer, the tops of the shoots bloom with two-lipped buds, intertwined in the form of spikelets, which look out from the axils of the leaves. The size of the inflorescences does not exceed 6-10 mm. The petals are colored purple-red stripes, and the lip has a yellow speck. The flowering period is a couple of months. Eyebright fruits, after ripening, resemble seed pods, where small grains are stored.
Types and varieties of eyebright with photo
More than 350 types of grass are mentioned in the classification system. Only a few types of eyebright, which have the most valuable medicinal properties, are cultivated as cultural gardeners of the personal plot.
Eyebright (Euphrasia rostkoviana)
This annual is characterized by a straight, branched stem. Its height is from 10 to 15 cm. Dark green sinewy leaves are covered with a relief pattern. Flowering lasts from July to September. Spotted petals with purple stripes. When the inflorescences dry out, a seed fruit is formed, filled with tiny brown grains with a ribbed skin.
Eyebright straight (Euphrasia stricta)
The main shoot practically does not branch out. The height of the bush does not exceed 35 cm.In internodes of brown-brown stems, petiole leaves are at the same distance from each other. They sit alone, are ovoid and have jagged ends. The color of the opened boots is presented in purple tones. The crown of the shoot is crowned with a dense, bright inflorescence. The culture blooms in June and pleases the owners with colorful shades until mid-autumn.
Growing eyebright
Eyebright is grown using seeds. Since the grass does not survive transplanting well, the material is sown directly into the ground. A favorable time to start sowing is April-November. Making winter sowing is much more effective, then the first shoots will hatch ahead of time, and the seedlings will bloom longer.
The seeds are lowered shallow grooves, gently pressed into the ground and sprinkled with earth on top. Wells with seeds are designated in any convenient way, otherwise the young shoots of eyebright will be easily confused with weeds in the future.
Eyebright care
In the natural environment, the place of growth of eyebright is considered to be mountain slopes, steppes and roadsides. In cultural performance, it is customary to plant annuals in sunny, well-lit areas. The shadow makes the culture sore and grow slowly.
Choose a soil of medium fertility. Swampy wet substrates have a detrimental effect on grass growth. The site is plowed, covered with sand and pebbles. Loam and sandy mounds are the best places where the acid reaction prevails for sowing seeds.
In temperate climatic regions, natural precipitation is quite enough for the normal development of eyebright. There is also no need to fertilize the crop.
Since the root shoots are dangerous for other plants, eyebright is placed at some distance from the main flower garden. At first, the crop is carefully weeded so that the weeds do not drown out its growth. Small blades of grass do not need to be pulled out. At the end of the season, the site is dug up and old bushes are removed. With the arrival of spring, the seedlings will sprout on their own, and eyebright will again fill the vacant territory.
The advantages of the plant include resistance to diseases and pests. Often, green shoots are eaten by aphids. To stop the spread of the parasite colony, the bushes are treated with insecticidal preparations or sprayed with soap and water. If aphids have caused serious harm and spoiled most of the cultivated plantings, the infected specimens must be destroyed.
The healing properties of eyebright
The flowers and shoots of eyebright contain an impressive list of useful trace elements and other substances.
The plant is usually harvested when the bushes are in the flowering stage. The cut off shoots are dried under a canopy, or dryers are used. The temperature regulator is set at no more than 40 ° C.
Raw materials are used as a remedy for the treatment of eye diseases. The herb removes redness of the mucous membrane, allergic rashes, eliminates spots on the cornea, conjunctivitis, improves vision. Of course, complex types of diseases - cataracts and glaucoma, are unlikely to be cured with ordinary grass, but in the role of additional treatment, eyebright can be beneficial.
The annual has anti-inflammatory, expectorant and tonic properties. Herbal decoctions, infusions are used for bronchitis, eczema, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, allergies and acute respiratory infections.
Healthy recipes
In folk medicine, there are many recipes where eyebright is added as the main ingredient. To prepare a herbal lotion for the eyes, take 25 g of dry raw materials, pour 1 tbsp. water and put in a water bath for 20 minutes. When the broth is ready, filter and store for no more than a day.
An alcoholic tincture of eyebright is prepared as follows. At 1 st. alcohol is added 50 g of dry grass, the mixture is infused for about 10 days in a dark place.
In medical institutions, eyebright extract is obtained, which has a tonic and anti-inflammatory effect, stops dystrophic disorders occurring in the eyeball. The drug is sold in pharmacies.
Contraindications
The plant negatively affects a certain category of people. It is not recommended to take decoctions and preparations with eyebright for pregnant women and give to children under the age of 3 years.
The raw materials contain substances that can lower blood pressure, which is why hypotensive patients should be especially careful when handling this annual. People who are immune to field herbs should also refrain from taking eyebright. You can not use the plant for stomach problems.
