Heather
OTHER NAME(S): Brande, Bregère, Bregotte, Bruyère, Bruyère Callune, Bruyère Commune, Bucane, Calluna Vulgaris Flos, Callunae Vulgaris Herba, Callune, Callune Fausse Bruyère, Common Heather, Grosse Brande, Ling, Scotch Heather, Calluna vulgaris, Erica vulgaris, Brezo, Bruyère
Overview
Heather is a plant. The flower, leaf, and plant top are used to make medicine.
Heather is used for kidney and urinary tract conditions, enlarged prostate, osteoarthritis, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Heather contains chemicals that might help fight swelling (inflammation), infections, cancer, and damaging chemicals known as "reactive oxygen species" in the body.
Heather contains chemicals that might help fight swelling (inflammation), infections, cancer, and damaging chemicals known as "reactive oxygen species" in the body.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS).
- Acne.
- Common cold.
- Cough.
- Delayed emptying of food from the stomach into the intestines (gastroparesis).
- Diabetes.
- Diarrhea.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
- Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).
- Excessive crying in infants (colic).
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
- Gallbladder disease.
- Gout.
- Heart failure and fluid build up in the body (congestive heart failure or CHF).
- High blood pressure.
- Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
- Insomnia.
- Long-term kidney disease (chronic kidney disease or CKD).
- Kidney failure.
- Liver disease.
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
- Swelling (inflammation) of the stomach (gastritis).
- Osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Swelling (inflammation) of the eye (uveitis).
- Symptoms of menopause.
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of heather for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Heather is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth. No side effects have been reported. But a high-quality assessment of safety is lacking.
When applied to the skin: Heather is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin. No side effects have been reported. But a high-quality assessment of safety is lacking.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Heather is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth. No side effects have been reported. But a high-quality assessment of safety is lacking.
When applied to the skin: Heather is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin. No side effects have been reported. But a high-quality assessment of safety is lacking.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if heather is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Heather overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of heather depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for heather. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Mandim F, Barros L, Calhelha RC, et al. Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull: chemical characterization, evaluation of its bioactive properties and effect on the vaginal microbiota. Food Funct 2019;10(1):78-89.
- Vucic DM, Petkovic MR, Rodic-Grabovac BB, Stefanovic OD, Vasic SM, Comic LR. In vitro activity of heather [Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull] extracts on selected urinary tract pathogens. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2014;14(4):234-8.
- Olteanu ED, Filip A, Clichici S, et al. Photochemoprotective effect of Calluna vulgaris extract on skin exposed to multiple doses of ultraviolet B in SKH-1 hairless mice. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 2012;31(3):233-43.
- Perde-Schrepler M, Chereches G, Brie L, et al. Photoprotective effect of Calluna vulgaris extract against UVB-induced phototoxicity in human immortalized keratinocytes. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 2011;30(4):323-31.
- García-Risco MR, Vázquez E, Sheldon J, et al. Supercritical fluid extraction of heather (Calluna vulgaris) and evaluation of anti-hepatitis C virus activity of the extracts. Virus Res 2015;198:9-14.