Heather is a plant that we describe as a low-growing shrub, reaching a height of some 30 to 60 centimeters. Heather often occupies larger areas on heaths, dry meadows and pastures, on the edges of pine forests and in forests. It comes mainly on washed lands with very poor lime. On many branches of the plant grow very small and narrow leaves, which are arranged on the stem like tiles on the roofs of houses.
Heather blooms from the seventh to the ninth month with small bell-shaped flowers of pale red color. The flowers (Flores Ericae) are collected by removing them from the flower twigs, after which they are dried in a thin layer in the shade in an airy place.
By collecting the flower alone, as we have described, a pure flower can never be obtained. When collecting in the collected drug, a good part of the leaves and broken twigs are always found as an undesirable admixture. Since only the flower that is later placed on the market as a drug is collected, it is necessary to clean the contents well and carefully from twigs and leaves before packaging the drug.
This purification is best done by sieving.
Heather is a prized medicinal plant
In folk medicine, heather is used in diseases of the kidneys and bladder, and coughs and rheumatism because it promotes the excretion of sweat and urine. Heather honey is highly valued – Heather honey is dark yellow in color, has a weak odor and a specific taste. Crystallization of heather honey takes 2-3 months. The use of heather honey is recommended for rheumatic diseases, urinary tract diseases and kidney diseases. It is best to consume honey dissolved in warm chamomile and rosehip tea
