Eyebright’s name is derived from the Greek meaning joyful, it was named after one of the three graces who possessed joy and happiness, as it’s use on eyes brought sight back to the sufferer bring joy and gladness to them. It was first used extensively in the fourteenth century after being recommended by two highly regarded physicians at the time, Mathæus Sylvaticus and Arnoldous Villanovanus, the latter writing an extensive work on the subject called ‘Vini Euphrasiati Tantopee Celebrati’. It later was used during the Elizabethan age as part of on alcoholic drink (Eyebright Ale). Milton also wrote about it’s use on Adam after his fall from grace. Today it is largely neglected by modern medicine, herbalists selling alternative remedies still however use it as a tonic to treat eye-rash and opthalmia.

There have been no efficacy studies into its medicinal benefits and no direct scientific evidence appears to exist to prove it’s use. The US Food and Drug Administration lists it as a supplement meaning there have been no clinical trials into it’s effectiveness and it is “not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease”.

Eyebright is for the most part collected wild, partly because there isn’t a high demand for it and partly because it is difficult to farm, it is semi-parasitic and requires another plant to live off.

References and Links:
		1. M. Grieve. A Modern Herbal
		"Eyebright" at Botanical.com