EYE, EAR ,

NOSE AND
OROPHARYNX
 EYE
Simple eye lotions containing mildly astringent and
soothing plant products are very popular, especially those
containing distilled witch hazel and eyebright herb extracts.
However, ophthalmology clearly is not an area where
phytotherapy is of wider importance,,
INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE
 EYEBRIGHT, EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS L.
Constituents
Eyebright contains:
 - iridoid glycosides.

 - lignans.

 - tannins; and polyphenolic acids.

THERAPEUTIC USES AND AVAILABLE EVIDENCE .

Extract of Euphrasia is a traditional remedy for disorders of the

eye such as conjunctivitis. Practically no clinical studies have been
carried out, but single-dose eye drops containing extracts of the
herb were evaluated in a clinical prospective cohort trial for
conjunctivitis, and efficacy and tolerability were deemed ‘good to
very good’ by both patients and physician.
GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is always treated under medical supervision. It is
associated with increased intraocular pressure and can cause
blindness if not treated.
Most of the drugs used are:
 synthetic sympathomimetics

 β-blockers

 or prostaglandin analogues

There is a useful widely used plant-derived miotic (a substance

causing constriction of the pupil), the alkaloid, pilocarpine.
 PILOCARPINE

Pilocarpine is an alkaloid obtained from Jaborandi leaf

(Pilocarpus microphyllus. and other species of Pilocarpus,
Rutaceae). Pilocarpine is a sympathomimetic agent, causing
salivation, tachycardia and other effects if taken systemically.
Its main use is in ophthalmic preparations:
 * as a miotic

 * in open-angle glaucoma.

 * and to contract the pupil after the use of atropine.

 It is a prescription-only medicine in most countries.

It acts by reducing intraocular pressure by opening the drainage

channels in the trabecular meshwork, which may be affected by a
spasm or contraction of the ciliary muscle.
 ANTERIOR UVEITIS
Anterior uveitis is an inflammatory disorder of the anterior
segment of the eye. It is treated (under medical supervision) with
atropine or its derivatives.
ATROPINE
Atropine is a tropane alkaloid extracted from deadly
nightshade (Atropa belladonna, Solanaceae). It is occasionally
used as eye drops (0.5%) or ointment (1%) to open the iris for
examination or surgical procedures, and to treat anterior uveitis.
 EAR, NOSE AND ORTHOPHARYNX
THE EAR
Infections of the ear are treated with either
topical or systemic antibiotics. However, the
removal of wax from the ear is achieved with the
aid of softening agents such as almond, arachis or
olive oil sometimes followed by ear syringing.
 THE ORTHOPHARNYX
Simple oral and throat irritation can be treated with an anti-
inflammatory and antiseptic mouthwash.
Many essential oils are used as oral antiseptics, deodorizers and
anti-inflammatory agents, including mint, eucalyptus and lemon
oils, as well as menthol and thymol, these can be incorporated into
artificial saliva products, used for relieving dry mouth, which are
composed of either animal mucins or hydroxymethoxycellulose
derivatives.
PEPPERMINT OIL, MENTHA PIPERITA L.
Peppermint oil is antiseptic,deodorizing and anti-inflammatory
and is widely used in skin and dental products. Other species of
mint, such as spearmint, are also used for the same purpose.
SAGE, SALVIA OFFICINALIS L.
The genus Salvia is one of the largest of the family Lamiaceae
and many of its species, especially those rich in essential oil, have
pharmaceutical uses. This common garden plant and culinary shrub
has conspicuous blue flowers and relatively large leaves. The young
leaves especially are covered with a white layer of fine hairs. The
leaves have a characteristic uneven upper surface and prominent
lower venation. The taste and odour are characteristic, pungent and
aromatic. Sage is a popular culinary herb. S. triloba L.f. is also rich
in essential oil and has similar topical uses as S. officinalis
Constituents -; The leaves are rich in essential oil with a- and b-
thujone as the major components, with cineole, borneol and others.
It also contains rosmarinic acid Diterpenes and flavonoids are two
other important classes of natural products prominent in this
species.
 THERAPEUTIC USES AND AVAILABLE EVIDENCE
The use of sage leaf, in the form of a tea used as a gargle, is
traditional for soothing inflammation of the mucous membranes of
mouth and throat. Rosmarinic acid is well known for its antiviral and
anti inflammatory effects, sage essential oil is antibacterial and
antifungal, in the doses used for mouthwashes it is generally
considered to be safe.