Habitat: The Temperate Himalaya from Kashmir to Sikkim, from 1,350 to 4,000 m.
English: Eyebright.Action: Plant—astringent, antiallergic, bechic, anticatarrhal.
Key application: Externally as lotions, eye-baths, poultices, for eye complaints associated with inflammatory conditions, and as a preventive measure against mucus of the eyes, "glued" and inflammed eyes. (Traditional uses mentioned by German Comission E.)Orally, Eyebright is used to treat allergies, common cold, bronchial conditions and sinusitis. Ophthalmic application is not recommended. Eye- bright has been used in a British herbal tobacco product, which was smoked for cold and chronic bronchial conditions.Aerial parts showed presence of phenol, carboxylic acid, flavones and methyl flavone derivatives. Plant gave quercetin glucoside, diosmetin, kaem- pferol, caffeic and ferulic acids, stig- masterol and beta-sitosterol. Iridoid glycosides, including aucubin, are also present. Tannins include both condensed and hydrolysable gallic acid type.