EYEBRIGHT, FENNEL & FENUGREEK USE AS HERBS

Common name: EYEBRIGHT

Botanical name: EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS

Family: SCHROPHULARIACEAE

Part used: Leaves

Constituents and uses: as it is name Suggests, the plant has long been used as a tropical application for eye irritation. It contains tannins, resins and volatile oil which have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. These help problems due to allergic reaction, airborne pollution( for example, smoky atmospheres) and conjunctivitis.

When used as a gargle, it will help catarrhal and inflammatory problems of the throat and nose; taken ternary for the same. For bathing the eyes, a half-strength infusion should be made and allowed to cool. This must be stained throughly- a coffee filter-paper is suitable - then put in an eyebath and used to irrigate the whole surface of the eye. If there is an infection present the eyebath must be immersed in boiling water and the solution change after on the first eye. The strength of the infusion may be increased gradually,if this necessary, to gain maximum benefit. For the remedy. A gargle should be made from full-strength infusion. This can be swallowed after gargling. Eyebright is best combined with an equal quantity of Golden seal when used in an eyebath for eye infections.

Common name: FENNEL

Botanical name: FOENICULUM VULGARE

Family: UMBELLIFERAE 

Part used: Seeds

Constituents and uses: This is another of the sweet, aromatic spices with a high volatile oil content. It also contains bitter substances, giving the duel benefit of stimulating a sluggish digestion and helping to calm the irritation that can result in griping pains, flatulence and over-activity in the bowel.

Like many of the aromatic spices, it helps stimulating milk-production in lactating mothers.

An infusion of the seeds can be taken before or after meals to aid the digestion. This remedy is so well known as a pleasant herbal tea that it is easily available in the form of tea-bags.

Common name: FENUGREEK

Botanical name: TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM

Family: LEGUMINOSEAE

Part used: Seeds

Constituents and uses: This pungently aromatic bitter-tasting spice contains a variety of constituents which help the digestion: bitters, mucilage and volatile oils, plus an anti-inflammatory steroid-like substance which further helps to calm conditions such as gastritis and enteritis. It has a tonic effect on the digestion, particularly for convalescents.

It anti-inflammatory properties will help when it is applied as a poultice to inflamed or infected skin.

The steroid component as well as the oils, helps stimulate milk production in locating mothers. An infusion of the seed should be taken before or after meals, in combination with other sweet aromatic spices which will improve the taste. A poultice is made from the crushed seeds.