Heather

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

Heather is a plant. The flower, leaf, and plant top are used to make medicine.

People take heather as a tea for kidney and lower urinary tract conditions, prostate enlargement, fluid retention, gout, arthritis, sleep disorders, breathing problems, cough, and colds. They also take it for digestive disorders such as diarrhea, spasms, and stomach pain (colic), and for diseases of the liver and gallbladder. It is sometimes used to cause sweating.

In combination with other herbs, heather is used for treating diabetes, menstrual discomfort, menopause, and nervous exhaustion. Other uses include stimulation of digestion and regulation of the circulatory system.

Some people add heather to bathwater for treating wounds.

How does it work?

There isn't enough information to know how heather might work.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Kidney and lower urinary tract conditions.
• Prostate enlargement.
• Fluid retention.
• Diarrhea.
• Spasms.
• Stomach pain (colic).
• Liver diseases.
• Gallbladder problems.
• Gout.
• Arthritis.
• Wounds, when used in the bath.
• Other conditions.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Heather might be safe for most people, but the possible side effects are not known.

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.