Eyesiccal contains only herbal hydrosols and mineral salts.
Chamomile is an aromatic plant and it was used as strewing herb in the Middle Ages and the Anglo Saxons called it ‘maythen’ and deemed the plant sacred. German chamomile’s essential oil has bactericidal and fungicidal properties. It produces up to 2% essential oil, which contains alpha-bisabolol (about 50%), azulenes and other constituents.
Arnica has been used for its healing properties for centuries. It grows in the mountain regions of Europe, western North America and Siberia. Phyto-chemicals identified within the plant include sesquiterpene lactones which are claimed to be the active principles.
Bryonia commonly found in hedges and woods in central and southern Europe. Folklore suggests that Dioscorides used the plant for herbal medicine. Phyto-chemicals identified within the plant include cucurbitacins (bitter compounds), glycosides, essential oils and tannins.
Euphrasia (Eyebright) found in the cold temperate regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. It is an herbaceous plant and contains a variety of phyto-chemicals including tannins, iridoid and other glycosides.
Ruta (Rue) originated in southern Europe and was introduced into Britain by the Romans. It is more commonly known as the Herb of Grace. Rue contains several active principals including coumarins, flavonoids, alkaloids and essential oil. Rutin, a flavonoid found in the plant has been associated with decreasing blood capillary permeability and fragility.
The botanical plants employed have been known and used to benefit mankind for centuries. Natural plant substances (phyto-chemicals) are complex, some of which have been isolated and characterised others remain elusive. Even today with all the scientific instrumentation available to us we do not fully understand how these plant substances work so effectively.
Perhaps there is wisdom in the old adage ‘mother nature knows best’.
