Heather: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Calluna
Scientific name(s)
Calluna vulgaris
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Arbutin
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Urinary infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Heather is traditionally used to treat urinary infections such as cystitis. Laboratory research has confirmed its antimicrobial action, supporting its use in this context.
Posologie
Oral route: flower tops
1.5 g
Prostatitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Due to its diuretic qualities and ability to combat microbes, it is suggested that heather may be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of prostatitis.
Posologie
Oral route: flower tops
1.5 g
Kidney stone ✪✪✪✪✪
Heather is traditionally used to promote renal elimination of water and as an adjuvant in diuresis treatments for mild urinary disorders.
Posologie
Oral route: flower tops
1.5 g
Gout ✪✪✪✪✪
Heather, used for its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, is also beneficial in managing gout, a condition resulting from high levels of uric acid in the blood.
Posologie
Oral route: flower tops
1.5 g
Properties
Antimicrobial
Heather extracts appear to have antimicrobial effects, with the greatest activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Heather extracts have been tested against twelve bacterial strains that might cause urogenital infections. Results showed potential inhibition of pathogenic bacteria. This activity supports the traditional use of heather in treating infections related to the urinary tract. Heather extracts have also shown the ability to inhibit pathogenic bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis, such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, without affecting beneficial Lactobacillus strains. This indicates that heather extracts could be used to treat vaginal infections while preserving the vaginal microbiota.
Usages associés
Antiviral
In vitro research shows that heather extracts have antiviral activity against the hepatitis C virus. Heather extracts with higher concentrations of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid seem to have greater activity. These components are thought to interfere with the virus entry and impede its replication by inhibiting NS5B polymerase activity.
Anti-inflammatory
Ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts of heather show anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity (inhibition of pain sensitivity) as demonstrated in mouse studies.
Usages associés
Dermatological effect
Animal and in vitro studies show that heather extract may protect against skin inflammation, sunburn, and DNA damage caused by ultraviolet B rays, likely due to its antioxidant effects.
Diuretic
The diuretic effect and effect on gout have not been scientifically demonstrated and come from traditional uses.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years: 3 g - 4.5 g (powder)
- Dry plant: 4.5 g per day, powder 3 g/day in 3 doses (1 g/dose). - Infusion of flower tops: 3 teaspoons of the plant or 1.5 g in 150 mL of water, drink 3 cups per day. - Decoction: 1.5 g in 250 mL of water, 3 cups per day.
Contraindications
Pregnant women: forbidden
Heather contains arbutin, which is contraindicated for pregnant women.
Breastfeeding women: forbidden
Heather contains arbutin, which is contraindicated for breastfeeding women.
Children up to 12 years: forbidden
Heather contains arbutin, which is contraindicated for children under 12 years.
