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.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- 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.
Is it Safe?
Heather contains chemicals that might help fight swelling (inflammation), infections, cancer, and damaging chemicals known as "reactive oxygen species" in the body.
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.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
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.
It is not known if Heather interacts with any medicines. Before taking Heather, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
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.
Brande, Bregère, Bregotte, Brezo, Bruyère, Bruyère Callune, Bruyère Commune, Bucane, Calluna vulgaris, Calluna Vulgaris Flos, Callunae Vulgaris Herba, Callune, Callune Fausse Bruyère, Common Heather, Erica vulgaris, Grosse Brande, Ling, Scotch Heather.
Information on this website is for informational use only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While evidence-based, it is not guaranteed to be error-free and is not intended to meet any particular user’s needs or requirements or to cover all possible uses, safety concerns, interactions, outcomes, or adverse effects. Always check with your doctor or other medical professional before making healthcare decisions (including taking any medication) and do not delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any information displayed on this website.
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