Heather Flowers (Calluna vulgaris) also called Ling or Common Heather used to be classified as an Erica to which order it still belongs but was re-classified by Richard Salisbury some time ago into a genus called Calluna from the Greek Kallyno
Heather contains many compounds and even honey made from bees feeding on the nectar from Heather Flowers has been shown to have a greater beneficial activity compared to many other types of honey. It is a highly valued product today with a strange thixotropic texture ( jelly until stirred then transforming into syrup and if left to settle, reverting back to jelly) and a very strong flavour - It wasn't always so popular though.
Heather Flower tea was also used as a folk remedy. Heather is used in folk medicine both as a tea and a bath.
It was once used to dye wool and for leather tanning and the purple Heather is one of the national flowers of Norway.
Mixed with Malt, in the Middle Ages, Heather Flowers were once an important ingredent in Gruit which was a flavouring used in Heather beer making before the use of Hops found favour. Some independent micro breweries are, still, today, reviving this ancient art
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