MEDICINAL PLANTS

It is a curious plant: the special difficulty of making a clear and precise botanical identification, has chosen to group under the name "Euphrasia officinalis, which in turn comprises a group of species, although very similar both in morphology and in properties and therapeutic activity, are not the same species. Another peculiarity of this plant is that it has a feature that could almost sort of parasite from other little plants as they need to absorb their rootlets of the sap that will serve as food necessary for the proper and complete development.

FLOWERING

We can find eyebright flowers between May and September, these unique flowers, 10-centimeters in size, have a highly developed than his lower lip has three lobes dentate. Its color is whitish, but may be trimmed with purple dashes and some yellow or purple spot. The flowers are arranged from the axils of the leaves. For therapeutic purposes the whole plant is used, which should be collected when it begins to flower.

APPLICATIONS

The tannins that give it astringent properties presented by blocking certain secretions and producing a localized shrinkage in the area where the application occurs. It also has anti-inflammatory effect and is used particularly in cases of conjunctivitis and inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis). It also contains phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids and small amounts of essences, hence its character eupeptic and nasopharyngeal decongestant, used in both processes that occur with slow digestion as pharyngitis, colds and other upper respiratory ailments.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Prepared by adding 2 grams of chopped whole plant in a quart of water, freshly boiled and still warm, leaving it in contact and stirring occasionally for ten minutes. This preparation is taken after meals to improve digestion, you can repeat the same process three times a day.
Fluid extract. It can take up to a maximum of fifty drops in half glass of water three times daily, preferably after main meals a day, thereby considerably improving digestion gets heavy.
For external use. Prepared by adding four grams to half a liter of water and boiled, leaving it in contact for a quarter of an hour, then filtered, and the liquid obtained after quitting-tuning-pads are prepared to be applied on swollen eyelids. This fluid can also be used to make throat gargle in affections. Also, if you follow a correct process can be used for eye baths with an appropriate container. Finally, the facilities used to do in cases of nasal cooling and as a mouthwash for its anti-inflammatory and astringent.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Escrofulariaceas
HABITAT: Pyrenees Mountains and Sierra Nevada
FLOWERING: From May to autumn
PART USED: Whole plant
CATALAN: Eufràsia

USES

Moderate inflammatory, Nasopharyngeal Decongestant Moderate, Slight slow digestion.