# Medicinal and Magickal- an Introduction to Heather! ๐ŸŒฟ **URL:** \ **Category:** Witchy Wisdom\ **Tags:** plants\ **Created:** [July 31, 2020, 7:07am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164 "2020-07-31T07:07:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BryWisteria](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/brywisteria/32/1632_2.png) [@BryWisteria](https://forum.spells8.com/u/BryWisteria)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 7:07am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/1 "2020-07-31T07:07:04Z")
Hearty greetings to all! โค After seeing bath salts made from this flower in the store, plants at the flower shop, and learning that an entire month is named after this plant here in Poland, my interest was piqued- all the signs were pointing me towards this interesting plant ๐Ÿง As my entry to the [Weekly Witchy Challenge on Practicing Earth Friendly Magic](https://forum.spells8.com/t/weekly-witchy-challenge-earth-friendly-witchcraft/3036), I would like to share my research about this very useful and interesting medicinal herbโ€ฆ ## **๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ’œ ~HEATHER~ ๐Ÿ’œ๐ŸŒฟ** ![heather-4411842_1920](https://spells8s3.b-cdn.net/original/2X/e/e4e184b7ddf72b04f4fc87907500237b290e2b9c.jpeg) **Intro to Heather** Heather seems to be more common here in Europe than it was where I grew up in the USA. A beautiful flower with purple/pink or white flowers, it seems that heather has played a susbstanial role in both daily life and folklore legends! โœจ The Polish month September (wrzesieล„) is named after this plant for how prolific it is in the region. Heather can be harvested and fashioned into brooms, brushes, and even baskets to use around the house ๐Ÿงน > **Heather** , ( _Calluna vulgaris_ ), also called **Scotch heather** or **ling** , low evergreen [shrub](https://www.britannica.com/plant/shrub) of the heath family ([Ericaceae](https://www.britannica.com/plant/heath-family)), widespread in western Europe and Asia, [North America](https://www.britannica.com/place/North-America), and Greenland. It is the chief vegetation on many wastelands of northern and western Europe. The young juicy shoots and the seeds of heather are the principal food of the red [grouse](https://www.britannica.com/animal/grouse) ( _Lagopus scoticus_ ), and ripe seeds of heather are eaten by many other species of [birds](https://www.britannica.com/animal/bird-animal)โ€œ > > ![Heather-hillside-Scotland](https://spells8s3.b-cdn.net/original/2X/5/56b94446eacafe69310701d8d5246aeaf5fb9eb1.jpeg) > Scotch heather has purple stems, shoots with small close [leaves](https://www.britannica.com/science/leaf-plant-anatomy), and feathery spikes of pink bell-shaped [flowers](https://www.britannica.com/science/flower). In sheltered places it grows to 0.9 metre (3 feet) or more, but on arid slopes it frequently rises only a few centimetres above the ground. The [plant](https://www.britannica.com/plant/plant) is distinguished from true [heaths](https://www.britannica.com/plant/heath) ( _Erica_ species), which are sometimes loosely called heather, by the lobes of its calyx (the [collective](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collective) sepals), which conceal the petals; in true heaths the petals are longer than the calyx.โ€ > > [From the [Encyclopaedia Britannica Entry on Heather](https://www.britannica.com/plant/heather)] There is a very comprehensive video on [Heather](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txNdmkFSLew) from Herbarium Werdler on YouTube: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/txNdmkFSLew/maxresdefault.jpg "Calluna vulgaris - (Common Heather)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txNdmkFSLew) **Medicinal Uses** Not only useful in crafts, Heather also has a host of uses as a medicinal herb ๐Ÿฉน . > Heather contains tannins, arbutin, saponins, karotin, and the flavonoids quercitrin and myricitrin. It also contains the alkaloid ericodin. > > This herb is an ancient remedy for urinary tract problems. It is thought to be good for inflammation of the urinary passages, prostate problems, such as [prostate enlargement](https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/herbs-prostate-treatment.html), bladder ailments and [kidney stones](https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/herbs-kidney-stones.html). > > Tea made from the flowers is used as an herbal remedy for [diarrhea](https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/diarrhea-natural-herbs.html), stomach pain and [colic](https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/herbal-colic-remedy.html). > In recent years heather has been used successfully, especially in Germany, to treat rheumatic pains. > > The reason for this is probably because it contains a substance that removes excess uric acid from the body. Heather works well as both an antiseptic and detoxifier. > > One of the traditional remedies to treat [arthritis](https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/natural-herbs-for-arthritis.html), [gout](https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/natural-gout-treatment.html) and rheumatism is to make strong herbal tea made from heather and add it to bath water. > > A hot poultice made from the flowering tips has been used as a treatment for chilblains, a foot condition. > > Heather has also traditional uses as a mild sedative and as a [sleep aid](https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/herbal-sleep-aids.html), usually in the form of tea. But as the herb can act as a diuretic, it is not wise to overdo the intake of the tea before going to bed. > > [Colds](https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/herbal-cold-remedies.html) and [coughs](https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/remedies-coughs.html) have been treated with an herbal infusion made from the flowering shoots. > > In Telemark, Norway, there are reports that this herb was used as a hemostatic. Seeing bears wallowing in shrubs of heather when they were wounded might have led to this understanding. > > [From [The Herbal Resource: Heather- Health Benefits and Side Effects](https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/heather-herbs.html)] **Magickal Uses** ![6c81d1869415498f23df110b9cfd5cdb](https://spells8s3.b-cdn.net/original/2X/d/d156349f14aecab403869fa1a02b9e0f5750040f.jpeg) [Picture courtesy of [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com.mx/pin/500462577340454772/)] > โ€Heather can be used for magick involving maturity, consummation, general luck, love, ritual power, conjuring ghosts, healing, protection, rain-making and water magick. Heather is often worn or carried as a good luck charm. It is said that a sprig of white Heather placed in a special place of silence and meditation has the power to conjure ghosts or spirits. To do this, pick a sprig of white Heather at midnight, place it in a glass of river water in the darkest corner of your home. Sit and think of a departed loved one and it is said that the loved onesโ€™ shadow will visit you. > > In the language of flowers and the gifting of them, Heather means โ€œadmirationโ€. Heather can be used at Midsummer /Summer Solstice to promote love โ€“ carry red Heather for passion or white Heather for cooling the passion of unwanted suitors. > > Heather is useful in Faery magick and is said to ignite faery passions and open portals between their world and our own. The fae honouring Heather are attracted to shy people. > > [From [Speaking of Witch Wands: The Magick of Heather](https://speakingofwitchwands.net/2018/06/19/the-magick-of-heather/)] ![heather bath salt](https://spells8s3.b-cdn.net/original/2X/b/b759d92e3532bdb542650a97a48418af07a9293a.jpeg) Iโ€™ve been using a new bath salt with heather petals and have found that it really does soothe away aches, pains, and even helps with those awful menstrual cramps! ๐Ÿ‘ I enjoyed learning about this new herb, and I plan to continue using it in the future! ๐Ÿ˜ Hopefully some of my fellow Green Witches out there may find some of this information to be of interest too ๐Ÿ’š Blessed Be to All! ๐Ÿ’– ---
**Author:** ![janelle](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/janelle/32/4093_2.png) [@janelle](https://forum.spells8.com/u/janelle)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 7:15am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/2 "2020-07-31T07:15:46Z")
I love learning about new plants! thank you @BryWisteria It reminds me a lot of Thyme, although I canโ€™t recall the specific scientific name. ---
**Author:** ![BryWisteria](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/brywisteria/32/1632_2.png) [@BryWisteria](https://forum.spells8.com/u/BryWisteria)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 7:24am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/3 "2020-07-31T07:24:19Z")
Youโ€™re very welcome, @janelle- Iโ€™m always glad to find another plant enthusiast! ๐Ÿ˜Š ๐Ÿ’• Ohhhh yes, thyme! Another delicious herb ๐Ÿ˜‹ I use thyme in a lot of summer recipes (itโ€™s amazing with grilled squash or eggplant ๐Ÿ†!) but Iโ€™m actually not familiar with itโ€™s medicinal or magickal properties yet. Itโ€™s going on the research list! ๐Ÿ“š ๐Ÿ˜† Do you have any favorite thyme recipes or other summertime herbs you like to use- either for cooking or magick? ๐ŸŒฟ ๐Ÿ˜Š ---
**Author:** ![janelle](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/janelle/32/4093_2.png) [@janelle](https://forum.spells8.com/u/janelle)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 7:35am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/4 "2020-07-31T07:35:19Z")
I never really thought about it because I always have some around but **Lemon Grass and Sweet Grass are two of my favorites**. **Oh and** canโ€™t not mention **Clove**! I absolutely love the aroma they put out and generally how I feel when using them. In reflection, the smells give me this **youthful child like energy**. **Bubbly vibes** , if thatโ€™s even a thing haha. I was taking a Master Gardener class last winter but on the day of the test and the whole week after, we had a huge snow storm. Then I had started a new job, on my birthday no less and missed taking the rescheduled test ๐Ÿ™ Thyme is a must use in everything! Well okay, maybe not everything but my Italian genes try not to over use it lol. I frequently use it in my tea blends that I throw together, never writing down how much and of what I used ๐Ÿ˜ซ ๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿฝโ€โ™€๏ธ @BryWisteria ---
**Author:** ![Francisco](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/francisco/32/352_2.png) [@Francisco](https://forum.spells8.com/u/Francisco)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/5 "2020-07-31T23:29:17Z")
Wow! So many uses for just one plant! Thanks for sharing @BryWisteria I enjoyed learning about Heather! ---
**Author:** ![Francisco](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/francisco/32/352_2.png) [@Francisco](https://forum.spells8.com/u/Francisco)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/6 "2020-07-31T23:31:14Z")
> [@janelle](#): > > I was taking a Master Gardener class last winter but on the day of the test and the whole week after Iโ€™m sure you can still take the test, right? In any case, if you learned and are putting it into practice, you are a Master Gardener! ---
**Author:** ![wendy4](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/wendy4/32/2720_2.png) [@wendy4](https://forum.spells8.com/u/wendy4)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 1:41am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/7 "2020-08-01T01:41:07Z")
This is very informative, thank you for sharing! ---
**Author:** ![janelle](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/janelle/32/4093_2.png) [@janelle](https://forum.spells8.com/u/janelle)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 12:50pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/8 "2020-08-01T12:50:40Z")
@Francisco Could you make a printable page for Heather? ๐Ÿ˜€ And I am honestly not sure about a make up test. This class was expensive so I should think they would allow it! ---
**Author:** ![Francisco](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/francisco/32/352_2.png) [@Francisco](https://forum.spells8.com/u/Francisco)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 5:15pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/9 "2020-08-01T17:15:48Z")
Great idea! Iโ€™ll get to work on that! ๐Ÿ“„ My mother-in-law is a Master Gardener and we live next to her so I get to ask her all sorts of questions about gardening (plus we get tons of herbs for free!) ๐Ÿ˜ƒ Itโ€™d be great if they let you take the test! ---
**Author:** ![christina4](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/christina4/32/2868_2.png) [@christina4](https://forum.spells8.com/u/christina4)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 2:19am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/10 "2020-08-02T02:19:47Z")
Thanks for the great info! Heather is such an amazing herb/flower! Itโ€™s so beautiful to look at pictures of fields of Heather from afar. ---
**Author:** ![Abs53](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/abs53/32/28074_2.png) [@Abs53](https://forum.spells8.com/u/Abs53)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 1:47pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/11 "2020-08-02T13:47:49Z")
Fab info, thanks as always @BryWisteria! ๐Ÿ’œ ---
**Author:** ![BryWisteria](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/brywisteria/32/1632_2.png) [@BryWisteria](https://forum.spells8.com/u/BryWisteria)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2020, 8:25am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/12 "2020-08-03T08:25:19Z")
You are very welcome @Francisco, @wendy4, @christina4, and @Abs53! ๐Ÿฅฐ Everyone always shares such amazing wisdom, Iโ€™m always happy when I learn about something neat and I can share back with everyone! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’• > [@janelle](#): > > This class was expensive so I should think they would allow it! Thatโ€™s so wonderful you took classes to become a Master Gardener, @janelle! ๐Ÿ˜ Sorry to hear about the test- but I imagine itโ€™s a seasonal program? You may be able to jump in on the next group when itโ€™s time for them to take the test! ๐Ÿ“ Fingers crossed for you- it sounds like you put in a lot of time and effort into the classes, you deserve to get recognition for all your studies and hard work! ๐Ÿฅฐ ---
**Author:** ![Francisco](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/francisco/32/352_2.png) [@Francisco](https://forum.spells8.com/u/Francisco)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2020, 7:42pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/13 "2020-08-03T19:42:58Z")
Hereโ€™s a printable page for your [Book of Shadows](https://spells8.com/book-of-spells-divider-pages/) with the most useful information from this post! ๐Ÿ’ฎ [![Heather-plant-thumb](https://spells8s3.b-cdn.net/original/2X/4/4b37d3dfb82b47670162e91c3a485397a2382b84.jpeg)](https://spells8.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Heather-Magickal-and-Medicinal-Uses-Spells8.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![BryWisteria](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/brywisteria/32/1632_2.png) [@BryWisteria](https://forum.spells8.com/u/BryWisteria)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 8:23am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/14 "2020-08-04T08:23:11Z")
The printable page came out beautiful, @Francisco! ๐Ÿ’• Thank you for making it! ๐Ÿ“–๐Ÿ™ ---
**Author:** ![janelle](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/janelle/32/4093_2.png) [@janelle](https://forum.spells8.com/u/janelle)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/15 "2020-08-04T17:47:16Z")
It looks great! Thank you @Francisco Iโ€™m gonna print it out today and add it! Again, thank you @BryWisteria for posting and sharing all of this wonderful information. ---
**Author:** ![Francisco](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/francisco/32/352_2.png) [@Francisco](https://forum.spells8.com/u/Francisco)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/16 "2020-08-04T21:41:16Z")
Youโ€™re very welcome!! ---
**Author:** ![Susurrus](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/susurrus/32/47671_2.png) [@Susurrus](https://forum.spells8.com/u/Susurrus)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 10:54pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/17 "2020-08-04T22:54:24Z")
Oh! That is incredibly interesting. I love learning things about other places. I wish I could go visit the places in my ancestry and where things like this are local. I am low on all kinds of things, so maybe I can get some another way to use in my practice. Iโ€™m either growing or gathering the others that need now. Thank you so much! ---
**Author:** ![BryWisteria](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/brywisteria/32/1632_2.png) [@BryWisteria](https://forum.spells8.com/u/BryWisteria)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 7:55am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/18 "2020-08-05T07:55:35Z")
Youโ€™re very welcome, @janelle! ๐Ÿฅฐ Have fun with heather, and feel free to share if you find an exciting new use for it or use heather in a new craft- Iโ€™d love to see it! ๐Ÿ’โ™ฅ Iโ€™m glad you found it interesting, @Susurrus! ๐Ÿ’• I hope you can do some traveling and maybe spot heather in the wild someday! ๐ŸŒฟ I think itโ€™s wonderful you are growing and gathering the things you need- if you ever find yourself longing for an herb that canโ€™t be grown/found in your area, there are some great online shops that will ship it to you! ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‘ There may be an herbalist nearby with ingredients for sale or connections with other herb shops in your area. For online shops, I love [Mountain Rose Herbs](https://mountainroseherbs.com/)! ๐Ÿ’ I imagine there are also some online herb shops that others have tried before listed in the [Recommendations](https://forum.spells8.com/c/recommendations/10) category. Best of luck and happy crafting! ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ’• ---
**Author:** ![wendy4](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/wendy4/32/2720_2.png) [@wendy4](https://forum.spells8.com/u/wendy4)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 8:05am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/19 "2020-08-05T08:05:37Z")
Thank you Francisco. I appreciate your knowledge. I value your sharing. ---
**Author:** ![BryWisteria](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/brywisteria/32/1632_2.png) [@BryWisteria](https://forum.spells8.com/u/BryWisteria)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 6:23am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164/20 "2020-08-12T06:23:51Z")
I was exploring a new park yesterday and came across (what Iโ€™m pretty sure) is Polish heather! ๐Ÿ’œ ![IMG_20200809_115207](https://spells8s3.b-cdn.net/original/2X/7/7003336c2c6e3802b2d628df43e8157604dae07c.jpeg) ![IMG_20200809_115210](https://spells8s3.b-cdn.net/original/2X/7/77881f1b69b3b3483a00642ae284de79d54ca81e.jpeg) Unfortauntely there were a lot of bugs (darn! ๐ŸฆŸ) so we didnโ€™t linger long enough to investigate- there was a lot of water nearby so the mosquitos were quite bad. ![park pic](https://spells8s3.b-cdn.net/original/2X/1/136f491ead3fda45911e44d6f45ca621aaaba207.jpeg) It was a very pretty place and Iโ€™m happy to have found some heather nearby! Maybe Iโ€™ll go back on a windy day and collect some branches for the apartment ๐Ÿ’œ [Next page](https://forum.spells8.com/t/medicinal-and-magickal-an-introduction-to-heather/3164.md?page=2)