ORDINARY HEATHER [Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hill] Medicinal raw material is heather grass, which is harvested during the flowering period of the plant, cutting branches with a sickle. At the time of collection, it will be necessary to leave at least half of the plants for maturation and seeding. It is necessary to cut off the apical parts without damaging the root system. Dry outdoors in the shade or in well-ventilated areas, spreading in a thin layer. The shelf life of raw materials is 2 years. The taste of raw materials is bitter, astringent, the smell is strong – it smells like honey.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
The plant has an antibacterial, moderate hypothermic and hypotensive effect, accelerates blood clotting, has a calming, diaphoretic and emollient properties.
APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE
Tops of shoots (with leaves, flowers). In scientific medicine of the past – a remedy for cancer. Official in Germany – for insomnia and as a diuretic; in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, tea is soothing, diaphoretic, emollient, and promotes sputum production. In folk medicine in Norway, Germany, Poland, Hungary – for rheumatism, cystitis, febrile conditions, skin diseases, diabetes, atherosclerosis, purulent inflammation of the urinary tract, as well as a hemostatic and hypnotic; in Poland and Hungary baths – for gout; decoctions, infusion inside – as an emollient, expectorant for coughing, pulmonary tuberculosis; antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic in diseases of the bladder and kidneys, nephrolithiasis, pyelitis, cystitis, urethritis, ascites, rheumatism, gout; with diarrhea, dysentery, enterocolitis, hyperacid gastritis, diseases of the liver and spleen. Powder and decoction externally – hemostatic, wound healing; poultices and baths – with radiculitis, rheumatism, swelling of the legs due to diseases of the kidneys and heart, ascites, gout, tumors, bruises, dislocations and fractures. Juice – for insomnia, cystitis, fever, diabetes, atherosclerosis, purulent inflammation of the urinary tract, kidney disease, urolithiasis and gout, rheumatism, eye diseases, gastritis with high acidity of gastric juice (used without honey), enteritis and colitis, accompanied by diarrhea, with diseases of the liver and gallbladder. Diluted juice (1:5) externally in the form of a rinse – with tonsillitis, stomatitis; in the form of lotions – with damage to the joints of a rheumatoid or metabolic nature. Heather grass, along with other plants, is part of all kinds of fees. Used in homeopathy. Leaves. Infusion – as a diuretic; juice – for gout, rheumatism, eye inflammation. Flowers. In ancient times, they were credited with the ability to dissolve tumors. In Belarus, festering wounds, eczema, burns are sprinkled with powder, skin diseases are treated. Tea is made from heather flowers.
DOSAGE FORMS, METHOD OF APPLICATION AND DOSES
♦ Infusion of heather grass: 1 tablespoon of raw material is poured into 400 ml of boiling water, insisted, then filtered. Take 1/3 cup every 2 hours. ♦ Heather juice: prepared from the tops of leafy shoots with leaves and flowers. Take 1/2 teaspoon with honey in milk 3 times every day after meals. CONTRAINDICATIONS AND POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: common heather is not recommended for use in stomach diseases with low acidity of gastric juice. For internal use, consult your doctor.
APPLICATIONS IN OTHER FIELDS
The tops of the shoots are suitable for tanning and dyeing leather and wool yellow. The flowers can be used to make and flavor tinctures, liqueurs, wine, and as a substitute for tea. Stern. In terms of nutritional value, heather is inferior to hay, but superior to straw. Feed flour is prepared from it, in which up to 5% of the mass is accounted for by protein. A centner of heather feed contains 35 feed units. Its feeding qualities are due to the presence of mineral salts, as well as carotene, in connection with which it is very useful for young animals and lactating animals. The extract from the seeds is useful for weed control, yellowing wool, and tanning leather. Good autumn honey plant. By the amount of nectar delivered (from 1 hectare bees collect up to 200 kg of honey), it could be classified as one of the best honey plants, if not for the quality of honey, which, although fragrant, is dark, tart and even bitter, slowly crystallizes and is very viscous, as a result of which it is poorly pumped out. Decorative. More than 20 of its forms with different colors of flowers and leaves were selected: with snow-white, with golden-yellow leaves, undersized, taking the form of pillows. In winter, it looks beautiful in dried bouquets. In ornamental horticulture, heather is recommended for decorating rock slides in parks and gardens.
TASTY TIPS
Heather powder.
Grind dried heather flowers in a coffee grinder. Use as a seasoning in appetizers and first courses.
Heather tea.
Mix dried heather flowers (1 part), dried rosehip petals (1 part) and dried strawberry leaves (2 parts). Brew in a small teapot. Tea has a calming, mild hypnotic effect. Store in glass jars in a dry dark cool place.
Heather syrup.
Pour fresh heather flowers (20 g) with boiling water (2 cups), leave for a day, then strain. Combine the infusion with granulated sugar (500 g) dissolved in water (3 cups) and bring to a boil.
Drink “Forest”.
Dip the washed blackcurrant leaf into boiling water (1 cup) and leave it for 5-7 minutes, then add heather syrup (1 tablespoon) and stir. Serve chilled.
Drink “Heather honey”.
Boil dried heather flowers (3 g) in 1 liter of water for 2-3 minutes, then strain and dissolve honey (100 g) in the drink. Serve chilled.