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Herbs |
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Herb name: Common heather, Calluna vulgaris
Family: Ericaceae Useful plant parts: Upper parts of stems together with the flowers Description: Common heather is a medicinal plant that can grow to a height of about one meter. It can live a relatively long time, even for several decades. The fairly branched stems of this plant are wooden at their bottoms and are spread close to the ground. The upper parts of vertical stems develop light purple flowers.
Collecting period and locations: Common heather is mostly picked during the time of blooming (August and September). Usually the flowers are picked, which are removed from the stems, or the stems can be picked together with the flowers. The flowers, together with the stems, are dried in a dark and airy place. Concerning places where common heather can be found, it is usually located in larger areas where a large number of these plants can be found. It likes acidic soil and can be found in relatively dry woods that get plenty of light. Sometimes this species can be found growing on meadows too. Medicinal properties and applications: Common heather has been used since ancient times in herbal medicine for a large number of diseases. It is often used for blood and overall body cleansing, for increasing excretion of urine, and for treating kidney and urinary stones. However, the most common application of this medicinal herb is the treatment of rheumatism and gout.
Active compounds: Arbutin, hydroquinone, glycosids, tannins, saponins and mineral compounds. Recipe: Usually tea is prepared from this plant by adding about two teaspoons of dried flowers to a quarter liter of boiling water. The thea is then left for about 15 minutes. After that, the tea is strained, and can be drinked. Usually two to three cups of this tea are taken throughout the day.
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