Heather

Calluna vulgaris

Other Names: Brande, Bregère, Bregotte, Brezo, Bruyère, Bruyère Callune, Bruyère Commune, Bucane, Calluna vulgaris, Calluna Vulgaris Flos, Callunae Vulgaris Herba, Callune, Callune Fausse Bruyère, Erica vulgaris, Grosse Brande, Ling, Scotch Heather.
Heather is a plant. The flower, leaf, and plant top are used to make medicine.

Health Benefits and uses of Heather are

Heather contains tannins, arbutin, saponins, karotin and the flavonoids quercitrin and myricitrin. It also contains the alkaloid ericodin.

• This herb is an ancient remedy for urinary tract problems. It is thought to be good for inflammation of the urinary passages, prostate problems, such as prostate enlargement, bladder ailments and kidney stones.
• Tea made from the flowers is used as an herbal remedy for diarrhea, stomach pain and colic.
• In recent years heather has been used successfully, especially in Germany, to treat rheumatic pains. The reason for this is probably because it contains a substance that removes excess uric acid from the body. Heather works well as both an antiseptic and detoxifier.
• One of the traditional remedies to treat arthritis, gout and rheumatism is to make strong herbal tea made from heather and add it to bath water.
• A hot poultice made from the flowering tips has been used as a treatment for chilblains, a foot conditions.
• Vasoconstrictor : Heather contains chemicals that can help reduce bleeding by causing a narrowing of the blood vessels.
• Heather has also traditional uses as a mild sedative and as a sleep aid, usually in the form of tea. But as the herb can act as a diuretic, it isn’t wise to overdo the intake of the tea before going to bed.
• Colds and coughs have been treated with an herbal infusion made from the flowering shoots.
• In Telemark, Norway, there are reports that this herb was used as a hemostatic. Seeing bears wallowing in shrubs of heather when they were wounded might have led to this understanding.
• In Scotland the white flower variety of heather is a symbol for good luck and is often used in bridal bouquets in traditional Scottish weddings. In Norway, there’s a saying: “Where one can find white heather, there has been a crime.”