A to Z Herbarium: Heather

Herbs-Pablo

∴

Heather

Protection, Rain-making, Luck

heather-938645_1280

 

White heather is used for protection–particularly against rape and violent crimes–and for good luck. Red is used to start or end an affair; purple for spiritual development. Using heather at Samhain will invite spirits to visit, and burning it with fern outside will attract rain.

Heather has antiseptic and diuretic properties, and can be used to treat genitourinary ailments such as bladder and kidney infections. It’s also a soothing plant that can help with nervousness or insomnia. When turned into a liniment it can ease rheumatism or arthritis.

Heather branches have traditionally been used for thatching, stuffing mattresses, insulation, basketry, and making ropes and brooms. Musical pipes can be made out of the rootstock.

The flowering tops of the heather plant can be used to brew beer.

 

Kitties and Heather

Heather also attracts the elusive Kitty Beasts.

 

Sources:

Cunningham’s Encylopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham, 2016, Llewellyn Publications

Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft, Ann Moura, 2014, Llewellyn Publications

Earth Witchery

Witchipedia

The Goddess Tree

 

You might also like...

A to Z Reflections 2017

A to Z Herbarium: Zhi Zi

A to Z Herbarium: Yarrow

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below

Sophie Duncan - 6 years ago

Heather beer is lovely 🙂 I wonder if it’s a comment on me that I focused on the alcohol from your post? ;P
Sophie
Sophie’s Thoughts & Fumbles – Dragon Diaries

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I say it’s as good a point as any to focus on. 😉 I’ve never had heather beer, wouldn’t mind giving it a taste.

    Reply
Hilary Melton-Butcher - 6 years ago

Hi Sara – interesting information re Heather and its uses … I’m sure it can be infused to add a ‘scent’ to some drinks etc, and obviously soaps and lotions … We have Roma or Gypsies sometimes in the streets offering tiny bunches of heather as good luck charms …

Fascinating topic – cheers Hilary

http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/h-is-for-horse.html

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I think heather is so lovely. The cat picture is from when I tried to grow heather indoors… that didn’t really work out. 😉

    Reply
Ronel Janse van Vuuren - 6 years ago

The Pechs were known for brewing ale from heather… Other folklore creatures probably like the plant too 🙂 Happy A-to-Z-ing.

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I find it interesting the range of ingredients from which one can (and does) make booze. 😉

    Reply
Keith's Ramblings - 6 years ago

I always remember my grannie having little cotton bags of heather to help her sleep. I’d rather have the beer myself!

Amble Bay’s Village Hall!

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    One can have both! 😉

    Reply
susan scott - 6 years ago

I didn’t know about white and red heather – I know only the purple one. Actually now I think about it, I’m confusing it with lavender … Interesting post thank you Sara!

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Lavender is coming up for L! 😉

    Reply
Melissa - 6 years ago

An interesting post.

Melissa @ My Creatively Random Life

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Thanks, Melissa. 🙂

    Reply
Tasha Duncan-Drake - 6 years ago

I love heather beer – and I have just noticed Soph said nearly the same thing. Makes us sounds like lushes 🙂
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings – Shapeshifters and Werewolves

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    You are two peas in a pod! (Because you’re twins, not because you’re lushes hehe.)

    Reply
Tarkabarka - 6 years ago

My sister’s name is Heather (Hanga), so I have been collecting heather lore for a while 🙂 I’d like to try heather ale one day.

The Multicolored Diary: WTF – Weird Things in Folktales

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Aww that’s sweet. 🙂 I want to try heather ale toooo.

    Reply
Molly of Molly's Canopy - 6 years ago

Thanks for the reminder about heather for sweet dreams! Must get some as soon as the season starts 🙂

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    You’re welcome! Would love to know if it works. 🙂

    Reply
djinnia - 6 years ago

the elusive kitty beast! i love it! i died laughing.

heather properties and uses are new to me. pretty and functional.

great post today.

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Hehe! Thanks, Djinnia. 🙂

    Reply
Michelle Morrison - 6 years ago

Interesting information. It’s funny what kitties are attracted to isn’t it?

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Cats are funny in their preferences. Right now Jasper’s (the brown kitty in the back) current favorite toy is a crumpled up receipt tossed on the floor. 😛

    Reply
Gail - 6 years ago

Greetings! Since I am recently experiencing a touch of arthritis, this is a welcomed post! Will try my hand at a Heather Liniment!

———-
Gail Park
Making Life an Art

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Hello! I hope the liniment works! 🙂

    Reply
Christie Boudreaux - 6 years ago

I have both those books (I kept borrowing my friend’s Encyclopedia till I finally broke down and bought my own copy 😛 ), I definitely need to read them more in-depth. Thanks for the info!

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    They’re good books and definitely worth having. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

    Reply
JazzFeathers - 6 years ago

I love heather. Just a shamem that it is too hot where I live to keep it.
When I visited Irealnd, there heather was everywhere. Lovely.

@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Come to Sweden, we have heather! 😉 (I don’t get to say that about a lot of things hehe). It is very beautiful, though, I love it too.

    Reply
Deborah Weber - 6 years ago

Heather is so lovely. I’m inspired to try growing some this year. Maybe I’ll attract a kitty as charming as yours as well. 🙂

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I’m thinking I’ll give growing heather a go when we manage to move into a house and I have a garden. My indoor attempt (as pictured above) didn’t work out. And, yes, if you’re lucky you might attract a kitty beast or two. 😉

    Reply
Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine - 6 years ago

I don’t know much about heather, but I always liked the name. Nice to learn more about it.

~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Beautiful name, beautiful plant. 🙂

    Reply
Leave a Reply: