Euphrasia

Eyebright ( Euphrasia rostkoviana )

Eyebright ( Euphrasia ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family of broomrape family ( Orobanchaceae ). The botanical name comes from the Greek ευφρασία, Euphrasia - Joy, cheerfulness.

Description

The members of this genus are semi- parasites, which escape with the help of Saugwurzeln the xylem of the host roots water and nutrient salts. You can also live in the other half of parasites contrast without parasitize. The seeds germinate only in the chemical sphere of influence of the host.

Types (selection)

The study of the genus Eyebright is not yet finalized, since the different clans easily intersect with each other. Depending Flore works and authors are therefore different classifications found in species and subspecies.

  • Arctic eyebright ( Euphrasia arctica)
  • Blue Eyebright ( Euphrasia coerulea )
  • Nordic Eyebright ( Euphrasia frigida )
  • Shaggy Eyebright ( Euphrasia hirtella )
  • Slim Eyebright ( Euphrasia micrantha )
  • Dwarf Eyebright ( Euphrasia minima)
  • Hain- Eyebright ( Euphrasia nemorosa)
  • Large or Eyebright ( Euphrasia officinalis or Euphrasia rostkoviana each in a broad sense ) Kerner's Eyebright ( Euphrasia officinalis subsp. Kerneri )
  • Colorful Eyebright ( Euphrasia officinalis subsp. Picta)
  • Meadow Eyebright Eyebright or in a narrower sense ( Euphrasia officinalis subsp. Rostkoviana )

Use in alternative medicine

In the main, eyebright is in alternative medicine external application for inflammations of the eyes or in eye weakness, which is probably due to the similarity of the leaf drawing with an eye ( doctrine of signatures ). But it is used as a tea and internally, as a supposedly solved and demulcent in coughs and sore throat. Larger efficacy trials are lacking.

Species protection

1997 46 eyebright species have been included in the Red List of endangered plant species worldwide IUCN. Of Euphrasia applies omiensis ( Syn: Euphrasia insignis var omiensis ) ( from Japan) as probably extinct. Euphrasia arguta ( from Australia) was considered lost since 1904 and was re-discovered in July 2008 in Nundle State Forest in New South Wales.

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