MEDICINAL PLANTS

The heather is a pretty little green bush with tiny leaves that fall in winter. The flowers are lilac bouquets are formed terminally basal bracts, calyx with pink petals and an ovary with four pieces. The fruit consists of a capsule tetralocular, with one seed in each lobe. It breeds on plains, slopes, hills, etc.., Land without lime in the peninsula. Usually forms large bushes in the poorest siliceous earths.

FLOWERING

It blooms in summer in the heights of the Pyrenees, whereas it does lowlands September onwards. It's very typical to see large fields in autumn blooming heather carpeted. Interesting collection of flower limb, which should start in the period of maximum flowering. Drying is done in the shade or drying, without exceeding very high temperatures. Heather is an excellent honey plant, which supplies the raw material of bees for the production of dark honey, so highly regarded in the field of pastry.

APPLICATIONS

In the composition of the heather quercetin has been found along with various acids such as tannic and citric smoking. It also contains tannins, inulin and a ferment called arbutasa. There are studies that say the presence of alkaloids and substances that behave like this. Besides having a strong astringent and antidiarrheal, contains a substance which on hydrolysis releases hydroquinone, with antiseptic, especially on the urinary tract. This action is mainly because these compounds are excreted in the urine virtually unmetabolized, that is, as they have entered the body, thus exert their antiseptic action wherever they go, with the urinary tract the end of route. Some people consider the heather as the best remedy to remove excess uric acid in the body. By virtue astringent used against skin irritations, to remove freckles, and so on. In Germany it is used as tea substitute for its pleasant taste, although this requires to prepare a special way. Meanwhile, the heads have been used as a substitute for hops in making beer.

ADMINISTRATION

Decoction. Heavily used against any urinary tract infection, particularly in cystitis. Let it boil for a while a bunch of flowers in one liter of water and drink three cups a day until resolved infection.
Bath. Also you can prepare a bath very useful in rheumatism and gout. Just in a tub of warm water is added to an armful of the plant, plunging into the bathroom and then twice daily.
Poultice. Prepare a hot poultice placed over the chilblains. This remedy, though old, is still used today.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Ericaceae
HABITAT: Poor siliceous earths
FLOWERING: Summer
PART USED: Tips flowering
CASTILIAN: Brezo común
CATALAN: Bruga, cepell
BASQUE: Iñarr, añara
GALICIAN: Rapa, queiroga

USES

Astringency, Antiseptic Moderate, Antidiarrheal Leve.