HEATHER: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

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.

How does it work ?

Heather contains chemicals that might help fight swelling (inflammation), infections, cancer, and damaging chemicals known as "reactive oxygen species" in the body.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

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.

Side Effects

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 and 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.

Interactions

We currently have no information for HEATHER overview.

Dosing

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.

View References

REFERENCES:

Giuliano, A. R., Siegel, E. M., Roe, D. J., Ferreira, S., Baggio, M. L., Galan, L., Duarte-Franco, E., Villa, L. L., Rohan, T. E., Marshall, J. R., and Franco, E. L. Dietary intake and risk of persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection: the Ludwig-McGill HPV Natural History Study. J Infect.Dis. 11-15-2003;188(10):1508-1516. View abstract.

Hemmer, W., Focke, M., Gotz, M., and Jarisch, R. Sensitization to Ficus benjamina: relationship to natural rubber latex allergy and identification of foods implicated in the Ficus-fruit syndrome. Clin.Exp.Allergy 2004;34(8):1251-1258. View abstract.

Hewitt, H., Whittle, S., Lopez, S., Bailey, E., and Weaver, S. Topical use of papaya in chronic skin ulcer therapy in Jamaica. West Indian Med.J. 2000;49(1):32-33. View abstract.

Iliev, D. and Elsner, P. Generalized drug reaction due to papaya juice in throat lozenges. Dermatology 1997;194(4):364-366. View abstract.

Jayarajan, P., Reddy, V., and Mohanram, M. Effect of dietary fat on absorption of beta carotene from green leafy vegetables in children. Indian J Med Res 1980;71:53-56. View abstract.

Rimbach, G., Park, Y. C., Guo, Q., Moini, H., Qureshi, N., Saliou, C., Takayama, K., Virgili, F., and Packer, L. Nitric oxide synthesis and TNF-alpha secretion in RAW 264.7 macrophages: mode of action of a fermented papaya preparation. Life Sci 6-30-2000;67(6):679-694. View abstract.

García-Risco MR, Vázquez E, Sheldon J, et al. Supercritical fluid extraction of heather (Calluna vulgaris) and evaluation of anti-hepatitis C virus activity of the extracts. Virus Res 2015;198:9-14. View abstract.

Mandim F, Barros L, Calhelha RC, et al. Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull: chemical characterization, evaluation of its bioactive properties and effect on the vaginal microbiota. Food Funct 2019;10(1):78-89. View abstract.

Olteanu ED, Filip A, Clichici S, et al. Photochemoprotective effect of Calluna vulgaris extract on skin exposed to multiple doses of ultraviolet B in SKH-1 hairless mice. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 2012;31(3):233-43. View abstract.

Perde-Schrepler M, Chereches G, Brie L, et al. Photoprotective effect of Calluna vulgaris extract against UVB-induced phototoxicity in human immortalized keratinocytes. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 2011;30(4):323-31. View abstract.

Vucic DM, Petkovic MR, Rodic-Grabovac BB, Stefanovic OD, Vasic SM, Comic LR. In vitro activity of heather [Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull] extracts on selected urinary tract pathogens. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2014;14(4):234-8. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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