What is heimia?

Heimia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lythraceae. It includes two species: Heimia myrtifolia and Heimia salicifolia. They are native to southern North America and Mexico.

Heimia has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes by indigenous people of Central and South America. It has been used to treat anxiety, depression, insomnia, and gastrointestinal disorders. The plant contains several alkaloids, including lythrine, lyfoline, and vertine, which are responsible for its medicinal properties.

Heimia is also known as "sun opener" because its flowers bloom only in direct sunlight. The plant prefers hot and dry climates and can tolerate poor soils. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant for its attractive flowers and drought tolerance. However, the plant is not widely cultivated for medicinal use and is not commonly found in health stores or herbal shops.