Heather: properties, uses and contraindications

Between mid-summer and autumn, many mountain landscapes are tinged with deep pink from the heather (Calluna vulgaris L.). This dwarf shrub forms extensive tapestries in moors, hills and high mountain meadows. It extends throughout the country, except for the southeast, the Ebro valley and the Balearic Islands. Flowering tops are harvested for therapeutic purposes.

Its biochemical composition includes arbutosides, ericodinin, quercetin, flavonoids and tannins, and like other plants in its family, the ericaceae, it stands out above all as a powerful urinary antiseptic.

Heather properties

Arbutoside, through the action of the intestinal flora, releases hydroquinone, a substance of antimicrobial effects It is eliminated via the kidneys. This explains why the heather, like the bearberry and strawberry tree, is very effective in fighting urinary tract infections, such as cystitis and ureteritis.

The heather stimulates the emission of urine, Reduces fluid retention and helps prevent or eliminate edema and kidney stones. Due to its diuretic virtues, it is also indicated in case of excess urea and uric acidand as a resource to regulate blood pressure.

The heather is also astringent and antidiarrhealand combined with mallow or plantain, it has been indicated for occasional diarrhea and intestinal bleeding.

In external use the heather favors the elimination of eczema, pimples and boils, cleanses and heals superficial woundsand relieves gum and tooth pain.

How is heather used?

In the market you will find heather in the form of a dry plant for infusion, in liquid extract, tincture and capsules.

Heather infusions for medicinal use

To treat bladder infection and relieve spasmsexperts recommend an excellent diuretic and antiseptic formula that combines heather tops with two other ericaceous plants.

Ingredients:

Heather Gayuba Blueberry Birch Leaves Mauve Flowers

Preparation:

Boil four tablespoons of the mixture per liter of water for a couple of minutes and let it rest covered for another 10. Strain well and drink in small doses throughout the day.

To treat gout and osteoarthritis with pain, You can prepare this other infusion:

Ingredients:

HeatherGoldenrodBirchPezaFennel

Preparation:

Boil four tablespoons of the mixture, as in the previous case, per liter of water for a couple of minutes and let it rest covered for another 10. Strain well. It can be taken between 3 and 5 times a day.

To clean and heal wounds, You can prepare this infusion to expand in external use:

Two tablespoons of heather with yarrow, thyme and calendula are boiled for 5 minutes per half liter of water.

Let it rest and strain.

With the infusion, gauze pads or compresses are soaked and applied to the affected area.

Precautions and contraindications

Due to the presence of tannins, it can irritate the digestive mucosa, so it should be associated with demulcent plants such as plantain, mallow or marshmallow.

Its use is not recommended, for this same reason, in patients suffering from gastritis or gastroduodenal ulcer. In any case, discontinuous treatments are recommended, of about 8-10 days, and adjust to the indicated doses.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”