Scientific name
Erica vulgaris
Family
Ericaceae
Origin
South Africa
Synonyms
Brugo, CallunaParts Used
Drug given by the herbaceous parts
Chemical constituents
- Polyphenols;
- Tannins;
- Flavonoids;
- Hydroquinone glucosides (arbutin).
Erica in Herbalist: Property of Erica
The heather contains small quantities of hydroquinone glycosides, insufficient to carry out the disinfectant action of the urinary tract potentially useful in the presence of cystitis and urethritis. In therapy for this purpose other medicinal plants are used today, whose use is now standardized, safe and effective, such as strawberry tree and bearberry.
Due to the important content of tannins, heather exhibits astringent properties useful in the presence of diarrhea, while for external use it can attenuate skin inflammations (compresses) and oral mucosa (rinses).
