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Gerard's Herbal - Part 3

Gerard's Herbal - CHAP. 217. Of Eyebright.

CHAP. 217. Of Eyebright.


Fig. 993. Eyebright

The Description.

            Euphrasia or Eyebright is a small low herb not above two handfuls high, full of branches, covered with little blackish leaves dented or snipped about the edges like a saw: the flowers are small and white, sprinkled and powdered on the inner side, with yellow and purple specks mixed therewith. The root is small and hairy.

The Place.

            This plant grows in dry meadows, in green and grassy ways and pastures standing against the sun.

The Time.

            Eyebright beginneth to flower in August and continueth unto September, and must be gathered while it flowereth for physic's use.

The Names.

            It is commonly called Euphrasia, as also Euphrosyne; notwithstanding there is another Euphrosyne, viz. Bugloss: it is called of some Ocularis, & Ophthalmica of the effect: in High Dutch, Augen trost: in Low Dutch, Doghen troost: in Italian, Spanish, and French, Eufrasaia, after the Latin name: in English, Eyebright.

The Nature.

            This herb is hot and dry, but yet more hot than dry.

The Virtues.

            A. It is very much commended for the eyes. Being taken itself alone, or any way else, it preserves the sight, and being feeble and lost it restores the same: it is given most fitly being beaten into powder; oftentimes a like quantity of Fennel seed is added thereto, and a little Mace, to the which is put so much sugar as the weight of them all cometh to.

            B. Eyebright stamped and laid upon the eyes or the juice thereof mixed with white wine, and dropped into the eyes, or the distilled water, taketh away the darkness and dimness of the eyes, and cleareth the sight.

            C. Three parts of the powder of Eyebright, and one part of Mace mixed therewith, taketh away all hurts from the eyes, comforteth the memory, and cleareth the sight, if half a spoonful be taken every morning fasting with a cup of white wine.

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