CAUTION – Please fully research and consult a health professional before using any plants medicinally.

Seattle Druid MeetupHERB-OF-THE-MONTH-CLUB

1st Thursday’s at the Sunlight Café 6 – 8 pm---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heather, Fraoch, Calluna vulgaris Thursday, January 5, 2012

Heather is an extremely hardy shrub indigenous to most of Europe and Asia Minor, growing well in very wet and dry areas, on heathland, moorland and mountainsides. Never reaching more than 50 cm (i)( ft), it usually grows on hills and mountains above the point where trees will grow, and on open heaths, so-named because they are covered with Heather. The card shows Heather growing outside a hamlet of roundhouses with thatched Heather roofs. Bees feast on the sweet-smelling flowers before returning to their hives, also thatched with Heather.

A RE5TORER Of STRENGTH TO FATIGUED NERVES

The Picts were using Heather to make an alcoholic drink over four thousand years ago - as archaeologists have discovered on the Isle of Rhum, where a Neolithic shard was unearthed with traces of a fermented beverage made with Heather flowers. Heather beer was made in Scotland for centuries, drunk in the Highlands from cattle horns, and in 1994 its commercial production was revived. In the past, Heather ale was popular in Wales, too, and was drunk for its restorative properties, while in northern England the tips of its flowering shoots were added to beer or herbal drinks in the belief that this helped to purify the blood.

White Heather in particular is associated with good luck and was (and still is by Romanies) used as a lucky charm. This may well be due to the strong connection between Heather and bees. Bees symbolize celebration and a thriving community, so they are linked with joyful-ness and happiness — an association that is amplified because of bees' connection with the sun. In addition, the sweet smell of Heather can be almost intoxicating, especially when it arrives on the summer breeze after a long and bitter Winter.

A Heather pillow is said to give restful sleep and, in the past, Heather shoots were used for bedding, since they were found to rival the finest down for softness, while being far healthier: absorbing moisture, and — as one sixteenth-century writer recorded — 'restoring strength to the fatigued nerves, so that those who lie down languid and wear)' in the evening, arise in the morning vigorous and sprightly'.

Heather was also used for thatching in Scotland while, further south, reeds. Wheat straw. Flax, Broom and Sedge were also used. The springy nature of Heather made it ideal for packing around bricks, making into rope or weaving into floor-mats. It was also used in combination with mud to make wattle-and-daub walls, and when wood was in short supply it was used as fuel. To this day, Heather roots are carved to be used in the making of the Scottish ceremonial dagger, the dirk.

Druids today might add the flowering tips of Heather to hot water to make a refreshing tea, or to a bath to help tone muscles and ease rheumatic pains. They might also invoke the Ogham of Heather, L/r, to bring the warmth and joy of community and the tribe into their lives.

U (sometimes W) is Uhr or Ura, the Heather plant, which symbolizes passion and generosity. This ground-covering plant grows on top of peat in the moors of the Celtic lands. The blossoms are full of rich nectar and are very attractive to bees, which are seen in some traditions as messengers to and from the spirit world. Uhr is associated with both generosity and healing, as well as contact with the Otherworld.

Historically, the Picts used the flowers of the Heather plant to make a fermented ale -- the natural sweetness of the plant probably made this delicious! It is also known to bring good fortune, particularly the white variety of Heather. A number of Scottish clansmen tucked Heather in their bonnets before going into battle. From a practical standpoint, Heather was also harvested to use for thatching. Dyes and brooms were made from it as well -- if you make a besom of your own, use some Heather for the bristles.

Medicinally, Heather has been used to treat everything from consumption to "agitated nerves." The great Scottish poet Robert Burns advocated its use in "Moorland Tea," brewed from the harvested flowers.

Mundane Aspects: When this symbol appears, it means it's time to de-stress. Look inside yourself for healing if your body needs it, and don't delay. Listen to what your physical self is telling you. Remember how closely our physical well-being and emotional health are tied together.

Magical Aspects: Blend the energy of the spirit with the healing of the body. Focus on whole healing - body, mind and spirit -- to build a healthy soul. Meditate on this symbol to increase your spiritual awareness. If you're feeling a bit fragmented, mentally, burn some Heather to help you gather your thoughts back together.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/thecelticogham/ig/Ogham-Symbol-Gallery-/U---Uhr.htm

A FEW PLANTS & HERBS, Some Uses From Old Folklore

HEATHER:Masculine, Mercury, Air

Magical Properties: Heather is said to open portals between this and the fairy world. Heather has the best effect in magic spells which enhance physical beauty. It is also important in shapeshifting, being both protective against shifters and helpful to the witch taking on other forms. Sacred plant of the goddess Lilith.

Uses: A cleansing and detoxifying plant, it has been used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and it is a good urinary antiseptic and diuretic which disinfects the urinary tract and mildly increases urine. Heather tops are infused and used as a tonic to treat consumption, coughs, nerves, depression and heart complaints. Heather tea, liniments and ointments were used to help treat arthritis and rheumatism.

http://www.spiritwalkministry.com/plants_and_herbs

HEATHER: (Calluna vulgaris) A Druid Sacred Herb, there are more than a thousand cultivars from this low-growing, evergreen species, which has scale like leaves and crowded racemes of flowers. Heather provides a support system for rural farmers, who use it for fuel, thatch, fodder, tea, and as a dye. Growing the plants increases the soils fertility. The flowering shoots of heather are used for insomnia, stomach pains, coughs, and skin problems. Heather, used fresh or dry, strengthens the heart and slightly raises the blood pressure. Heather is slightly diuretic. Fresh or dried heather shoots are simmered, four teaspoons to a cup of water; the dose is one-half cup a day. Parts Used: Flowering shoot Magical Uses: Heather is a Goddess herb associated with the planet Venus and sacred to Isis. It is carried as a guard against rape and other violent crimes, or just to bring good luck. White heather is the best for this purpose. Heather when burned with fern outside attracts rain, or dip heather and fern in water and sprinkle around to conjure rain. Heather has also long been used to conjure ghosts. Red Heather is used for passion, to start or end an affair. Purple for spiritual development. White for cooling passions of unwanted suitors.http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Herbs/ghijk-herbs.htmlLong ago, the moors were very lonely because nothing would grow there. Every plant they asked refused, and the moors were even more desolate than usual. Finally word got around to the plucky little heather who cheerfully volunteered. And ever since, the heather has not only grown but thrived on the moors which are more beautiful and less lonely as a result. Heather = selfless and caring; survives, thrives even in difficult circumstances Celtic derivation. one of 13 sacred druidic plants. think heather, think honey, think bees and think money

Herb name: Common heather, Calluna vulgaris

Family: Ericaceae, Useful plant parts: Upper parts of stems together with the flowers

Description: Common heather is a medicinal plant that can grow to a height of about one meter. It can live a relatively long time, even for several decades. The fairly branched stems of this plant are wooden at their bottoms and are spread close to the ground. The upper parts of vertical stems develop light purple flowers.

Collecting period and locations: Common heather is mostly picked during the time of blooming (August and September). Usually the flowers are picked, which are removed from the stems, or the stems can be picked together with the flowers. The flowers, together with the stems, are dried in a

dark and airy place. Concerning places where common heather can be found, it is usually located in larger areas where a large number of these plants can be found. It likes acidic soil and can be found in relatively dry woods that get plenty of light. Sometimes this species can be found growing on meadows too.

Medicinal properties and applications: Common heather has been used since ancient times in herbal medicine for a large number of diseases. It is often used for blood and overall body cleansing, for increasing excretion of urine, and for treating kidney and urinary stones. However, the most common application of this medicinal herb is the treatment of rheumatism and gout.

Common heather can also be added as a spice to many different meals, such as cooked green beans, fresh cheese, cheese with salami, cheese with scallions, cheese cones, but also many other.

Did you know? Each Heather flower has 30 Heather seeds, so a Heather plant produces up to 150,000 seeds per season. Heather (Calluna vulgaris) Scotch Heather/Ling Heather, is an evergreen branching shrub. Heather flowers bloom in late summer. Wild species of Heather flowers are usually in purple or mauve shades. The flower's various cultivars come in colors ranging from white, through pink, a wide range of purples and reds. Different varieties of Heather flowers bloom from late July to November in the northern hemisphere. The flowers may turn brown but still remain on the plants over winter, and this can lead to interesting effects.

Heathers are found throughout Western Europe and in some parts of northeastern North America and Siberia. Heather varieties are widely cultivated in rock gardens for cut flower arrangements. A low mound of handsome greenery topped by multiple spikes of colored flowers; Heathers are native to Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, Russia, and northern North America. The Heather plant is one of the primary plant species grown on the poor, acid, sandy soils which is typical of heaths. In Heather flowers, the corolla is showy in true heaths, and in the Erica genus, heathers have showy pink or rarely, white sepals that overlap the corolla. There are two types of Winter Heather plants. The lower, winter spreading types are grown as ground covers, in rockeries, containers or for spot color in flower and shrub beds. While the upright winter varieties are best suited for borders, spot color, massing or as container plants. The flowers of both types are ideal for small winter arrangements.

Facts About Heather Flower The scientific name, Calluna vulgaris, in general, came from

Calluna, from the Greek 'Kallune' meaning to clean or brush, as the twigs were used for making brooms and 'vulgaris' from the Latin word, meaning common.

Heather flowers are a traditional remedy in Swedish herbal medicine.

The Heather plant is sometimes also referred to as 'Ling' derived either from the old Norse Lyng or from the Anglo Saxon 'Lig' meaning fire and referred to as use for fuel.

Heather flowers are seen in pink, lavender, white, magenta, amethyst, purple and red.

Heather flowers also come in beautiful and varied colors of copper, pink, gold, silvery gray and almost infinite shades of green.

Heather, the name most commonly used for the plant, is of Scottish origin presumably derived from the Scots word Haeddre.

Heather is one of Scotland's most prolific and abundant plants. There are a number of reasons why Heathers are so abundant

with such a wide distribution. For one, the plant's reproductive capacity is high with seeds produced in very large numbers.

Heathers form dense stands that shade and out-compete low-growing vegetation, making it an unsuitable environment for native flora and fauna.

Growing Heather flowers Heaths and Heathers prefer full sun and well-drained, acidic

soil, and they need protection from cold winter winds. Heather plants can be planted anytime when the ground is not

frozen. The soil for planting should contain mix peat moss, compost or

processed manure with your existing soil. The addition of a little non-burning fertilizer, mixed into the

planting soil, will encourage new root growth. First, the Heather plants must be planted so the root-ball is

level with the soil surface. Second, be careful not to pile mulch up over the root system. In

fact, it is best not to mulch them at all. Third, heather must be planted in soil that is well drained, they

will not tolerate continual wet feet. Firm the soil around the plant and water-in.

Heather Plant Care The Heather plants should be pruned each year immediately

after they have finished flowering, which results in additional flowers the following year.

A well prepared soil with good drainage is needed. A good feeding fertilizer is required. Poor foliage color or

stunted growth would indicate the need for feeding.

So if that occurs, feed the heather with a rhododendron type fertilizer.

The best time to feed them is in late winter or late spring. Apply the fertilizer at the drip-line of the plant, then water-in

thoroughly. http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/growingflowers/flowersandseasons/heather