HERBAL MONOGRAPHS HEATHER/383decoction for internal use is prepared by adding 1.5 gm drug
to 1 cup water. The drug is also used as a bath additive.Daily Dosage: A cup of tea should be taken 3 times daily
after meals. The dose for the infusion is 1 dessertspoonful 3
jf, times daily. The dose for the powdered drug is 1/2
teaspoonful in hot sugar water 3 times daily.
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);
parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc, acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once
a day (HAB1).Storage: Heartsease must be kept stored away form light
sources, and if possible, from moisture in well-sealed
containers.LITERATURE
Horhammer L et al., (1965) Tetrahedron Letters 1707.
Komorowski T et al., Herba Pol 29:5. 1983.
Manez S, Villar A, PA 44:250. 1988.
Molnar P et al., PH 25:195. 1986.
Further information in:
A Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Vol. 1, 2nd Ed.,
CRC Press 1975
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen): Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
in Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York
1980.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.
Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
York 1995.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.Heather
Calluna vulgarisDESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the complete herb
with leaves, the flowers, and the growing shoots of the plant
that are collected and dried when the plant is in bloom, as
well as the fresh aerial parts collected at the same time.Flowers and Fruit: The inflorescence is turned to one side,
dense and hanging. The short-pedicled flowers are nodding,
pale-violet-pink and occasionally white; they have 4 small,
oval, fringed bracts. The calyx has 4 violet-pink, glossy and
petaloid sepals, which have the consistency of straw. The 8
stamens form a brown-red club. The superior ovary has 4
sections, and the style is larger than the calyx. The style has
a thick, button-like, 4-knobbed stigma. The fruit capsule is
globose, 1.5 mm long and 4 sectioned. The fruit is covered in
thick white bristles and is many-seeded. The dividing walls
break off easily.Leaves, Stem and Root: Calluna vulgaris is a dwarf shrub,
0.2 to 1 m high with decumbent, rooting shoots and
ascending branches. The small stems are thin, gray-brown,
heavily branched and have numerous upright branches. The
leaves are linear-lanceolate, in groups of 4 rows. They are
imbricate, 1 to 3.5 mm long, revolute, sessile and have 2 mm
long points at the base. The margins are glandular with
downward-pointing spurs.
Habitat: With the exception of a few Mediterranean islands,
the plant is distributed throughout most of Europe, Russia
and Asia Minor, as well as on the Atlantic coast of North
America.
Production: The herb is harvested from July to October and
dried.
Not to be Confused With: Erica tetralix.
Other Names: Ling
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Flavonoids: including kempferol, quercetin, myricetin, taxi-
folin, and the glycosides of each, as well as callunin
Catechin tannins (3-7%): (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin
Oligomeric proanthocyanidinsCqffeic acid derivatives: including chlorogenic acid
Phenols: orcin, orcinolTriterpenes: including ursolic acid (2.5%)
Steroids: beta-sitosterol
Hydroquinone glycosides: including arbutinEFFECTS
Heather is said to be diuretic, antimicrobial, cholagogic and
antirheumatic. It is also used as an agent for wound healing.
However, these effects have not yet been documented.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Preparations of Heather and/or Heather
flowers are used as a diuretic for diseases and ailments of the