Heather
Botanical Description & Habitat
Calluna vulgaris
Family
Ericaceae
Common Names
Scotch heather
Ling
Habitat
Found on poor, thin and acid soils and marshy grounds, peat bogs and moorlands in England and Europe.
Medicinal Parts
Dried flowering shoots, collected in August to September.
Historical Properties & Uses
Heather is an ancient remedy still popular in England, used as an antiseptic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, and vasoconstrictor. It is used to treat arthritis, gout, rheumatism, stomach ache, coughs, insomnia and acne, and is often used to disinfect the urinary tract.
Homeopathic preparations are used in the treatment of kidney and urinary tract ailments.
This herb has not achieved approval status by the German Commission E. Either there was insufficient evidence in favor, or a contraindication.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
The Pharmacology of Heather
Heather contains flavonoid glycosides (quercetin and myricitrin), as well as tannic acid, the alkaloid ericodin, and a little arbutin.
The constituents of heather have been shown to constrict blood vessels, increase heart capacity, raise blood pressure, and stimulate the blow of bile. The diuretic property has also been validated.
In the British Pharmacopoeia, heather is recommended as a diuretic, urinary antimicrobial, cholagogue, anti-rheumatic and vulnerary, in the treatment of cystitis, lithuria, gout, and simple rheumatism, and topically for wounds. It is specifically indicated as a urinary disinfectant. It is combined with uva ursi and buchu in cystitis, and with black cohosh and celery seed in rheumatism
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Heather, insofar as its diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuremic effects of glucose elevating agents.
The effects of dopamine and diuretic agents are additive. Diuretics may potentiate the action of antihypertensive drugs, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and norepinephrine.
Possible Interactions
In conjunction with ACTH or corticosteroids, this diuretic is more prone to produce hypokalemia.
The use of diuretics may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs. The diuretic action of heather may reduce renal clearance of lithium.
An initial dose of captopril (an antihypertensive) may cause a severe drop in blood pressure within three hours if the person is also using a strong diuretic.
The topical application of this astringent herb in conjunction with the acne product tretinoin (retinoic acid, vitamin A acid) may adversely affect the skin.
1. The tannin in this herb may potentiate the antibiotic activity of echinacea.
2. The tannin in a tea made from this herb may be inactivated by the addition of milk or cream.
Comments
There is evidence combining bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents will lower the effectiveness of the '-static' variety. How this finding applies to herbal antibiotics is not known.
Prolonged use of this diuretic may affect certain lab test results such as electrolytes (especially potassium and sodium, uric acid, glucose, and pbi.
Strong diuretics such as this in conjunction with indomethacin may produce natriuretic effects.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
No toxicity data is available.
The German Commission E status is "null" or neutral i.e. while it is not approved, there is no documented risk. There may also be some concern over the claims made by manufacturers i.e. they are unproven.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Use three times daily
Infusion
use 1-2g of dried flowers and leaves
Liquid Extract
use 1-2ml of 1:1 in 25% alcohol
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Multimedia
Calluna vulgaris
© Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
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