Erica carnea - Viagra

[Μορφέας]

Anybody had any experiance with this plant? It seems as though it has some very interesting properties!! Wouldnt mind getting my hands on some of it

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_me...icle2411405.ece

The latest gardening craze was triggered by a discovery by a 55-year-old furniture restorer, Michael Ford, on his allotment. He was always experimenting with drinks made from different plants and one day he tried an infusion from his winter-flowering heather. He said: "The effect was almost immediate. I had to stay in my potting shed for an hour or so before I could decently walk down the street."

He then contacted the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, famous for their work with the heather family, to see if they could offer an explanation. They could. Botanist Alan Bennell said: "This first surfaced when East European chemists reported finding a Viagra-type chemical in the floral tissues of winter-flowering heaths. They were able to isolate measurable amounts of material that is an analogue of the active principle in Viagra."

"Particularly potent are forms of Erica carnea, the Alpine heather, whose range extends into the Balkans."

From the limited amount of information available, it is suggested the Viagra-analogue is best extracted by steeping the detached small flowers in neat alcohol. An infusion of about 20g of flowers in 100ml of fluid liberates the active principle. A quality full-strength vodka (at least 40 per cent) is also effective. Mr Bennell added: "There is some confusion whether oral consumption or topical application is more effective."

But not everyone is happy about this new discovery. One woman shopping at a Wyvales in Dorking yesterday said: "It's amazing. My husband has never shown any interest in gardening before, but now he's out there night and day fussing over his heathers. Frankly, I preferred it when he left the garden to me and wasn't so frisky."

http://www.gardenseeker.com/winter_floweri...hers_Ericas.htm

Seems that they grow in Canada so I assume they're fairly hardy. I've been looking for a good winter flowering outdoor plant for a while.

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/heather/heat...mily.html#Erica

Erica carnea

A species of low, spreading, fully hardy, evergreen shrubs from the alpine regions of Europe attaining no more than 20cm (8in) in height but spreading to 55cm (22in). They have linear leaves in whorls of 4 and bear urceolate, generally pink, flowers in late winter to early spring. The flowering times of E. carnea vary markedly, plants in milder climates being as much as two months earlier than those in colder conditions. Generally, they can be expected to show flower for 6-8 weeks. It tolerates lime and a little shade. All exhibit a dwarf carpeting habit and with few exceptions, rarely require pruning. Care must be taken when pruning as E. carnea buds as early as July. It is safer to prune immediately after the flowers have faded. Prune around the edges and very lightly over the top of the plant. It is one of the hardiest of all heaths, suitable for hardiness zone 4.

Yes! Hardy natural viagra that produces colorful flowers through the winter! This is great.

Edited April 1, 2007 by tepa

[Ace]

This sounds intriguing! Is it in Oz atm? Perhaps available at a local nursery?

[simon_marklar]

april fools!!!!!!

[Ace]

Ahh crap - I didnt even check out the link - should have thought of that!

Are you sure about the fooling-ness?

[Μορφέας]

lol is this an april fools?, got me!

Edited April 2, 2007 by tepa

[paradox]

so is it true or what?

[mauve]

???

[shruman]

No it was a april fools joke by the independent.

[mauve]

too late !!!

i drank all the stuff

[shruman]

are u hiding in ur garde shed?

[mauve]

 

no i took it at work