Heather
I - Nomenclature
Nom Latin : Calluna vulgaris L.
Famille : Ericaceae
Noms communs : Common heather, Ling
Étymologie
From the Italian “brughiera”, a derivative meaning land covered with heather, moor.
II – Legends and traditions
It is cited as linked to the Venus Erycine who, in Rome and Sicily, governed the passions of love.
In Phenicia and Egypt it was dedicated to Isis and Osiris.
According to Graves the name of the Gallic goddess of Heather, Uroica, would be intermediate between the Celtic and Greek names of this plant (Ura and Ereice).
III – Botanical description
Description: Small bushy shrubs, evergreen.
The evergreen leaves are very small, arranged in four rows on the side branches.
The flowers are bell or bell shaped with 4 teeth.
The fruit is a dry capsule with 4 valves.
Habitat; It is a species that thrives only on very acidic soils that are poor in nutrients.
The Callune is found in heathlands, woods and more or less dry hillsides on siliceous land, throughout Eurasia. It is common in France up to 2500 m altitude, but rare in the Mediterranean region and Corsica.
Heather is a species that grows in full sun or partial shade. It tolerates large variations in temperature and soil moisture.
Parties utilisées : flowering tops
IV – Active ingredients
|
Fleurs |
|
⬧ arbutoside ⬧ tannins ⬧ ericoline, ericinol, triterpenes pentacyclic ⬧ fumaric acid |
V – Therapeutic uses
Properties
|
Flowers |
|
• antirheumatic • astringent • depurative • powerful diuretic, anti-inflammatory et urinary antiseptic • urinary tract sedative |
Indications
Albuminuria
Colibacillosis
Cystitis avec pyuria
Oliguria (rarefaction of urine)
Phosphaturia
Rhumatism
Use
Internal use
Infusion : 30g of flowering tops for a liter of water: drink 3 to 4 cups a day..
Decoction : a handful for a liter of water. Boil 3 minutes and infuse 10 minutes. Drink in 24 hours.
Usage externe
Bath : boil 500g of whole plant in a few liters of water. Add to a hot bath: gout, rheumatism.
Poultice : flower porridge applied to the joints: rheumatism, gout.
VI - Precautions for use
Contraindications
Pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children.
Interactions with synthetic drugs.