Heather: benefits and use in phytotherapy

Getting to know and recognizing heather

Heather is a perennial plant in the Ericaceae botanical family. It is also known as Callune or Calluna Vulgaris. The name Calluna comes from the ancient Greek “kalluno”, meaning to sweep or clean. This refers to the heather’s solid, woody stems, which were once used to make brooms. In concrete terms, heather is a twisted sub-shrub whose reddish-brown twigs can grow up to 1 metre high. Attached directly to the stem, the plant’s leaves are small, evergreen and opposite. They take the form of small interlocking scales in 4 rows. Initially green, the heather’s leaves turn brown as autumn arrives. Callune flowers between June and December. Grouped in irregular clusters, the flowers have a 4-lobed corolla. Recognized by their bell-like shape, heather flowers can be purple, white or red. In the wild, however, colors range from pink and mauve to violet. The callune fruit is a small capsule with a total of 4 chambers. Its seeds are tiny and hairy, and its roots are woody. Heather is particularly fond of sunny but slightly shaded, slightly acidic and siliceous soils. This is particularly true of moors, clearings, margins and meadows. This sub-shrub is easily found throughout Europe, as well as in North America and Russia. It is also found in north-west Asia. Heather is known for its extraordinary hardiness and longevity. In fact, it can be found in the wild at altitudes of up to 2,500 m. Ideal as ground cover, heather can live up to 50 years. Heather soil is also very popular with gardeners. It has the advantage of being very rich in humus. Callune is a melliferous plant that is highly attractive to pollinating insects.

Understanding the use of heather in phytotherapy

Heather’s active ingredients are found in its flowering tops. These include arbutoside, various flavonoids and triterpene compounds. These include botulinum acids, phytosterols and ursolic acids. These active compounds act synergistically to contribute to normal urinary elimination functions. Heather extracts are also traditionally used to support the excretory function of the kidneys. In the field of phytotherapy, heather extracts are available in various forms. They are available as tablets, capsules and dry or aqueous extracts. Heather herbal teas are also very popular. For a pleasant, highly aromatic drink, simply infuse the mixture of leaves and flowers in boiling water. The drink is then filtered and sweetened with a little honey. When taking heather extract tablets or capsules, it is strongly recommended to follow the dosage instructions. In addition to its use in phytotherapy, heather is also employed in other fields. In Scotland, for example, heather is used to flavor traditional Heather Ale. Callune honey is also common in France. It is used to sweeten various beverages, notably lemon syrup.