How Coltsfoot - Tussilago Farfara Can Help Relieve Chest Congestion
Other Common Names: Ass's Foot, Bullsfoot, Clayweed, Cleats,
Colt's-foot, Coughwort, Donnhove, Farfara, Fieldhove, Foalswort,
Hallfoot, Horsehoof, Huki-Tanpopo, K'Uan Tung, Oksurukotu,
Son-before-father, To Wu, Tusilago, Tussilago farfara
Range: Chile; China; Eurasia; France; Spain; Turkey
Habitat: Damp habitats, frequently on alkaline clays, in
hedgebanks, roadsides, wasteland, often as a pioneer, and on dunes and
shingle in coastal zones
An effective demulcent and expectorant herb, coltsfoot is one of the
most popular remedies for the treatment of a wide range of chest
complaints. It is widely available in health food shops. The leaves are
commonly used in Europe, though the flowering stems (which contain
higher levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids) are preferred in China. They
are rich in mucilage and are the main parts used, though the root is
also sometimes employed. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have a toxic effect
upon the liver, but are largely destroyed when the plant is boiled to
make a decoction. Some caution should be employed in the use of this
remedy - the flowers should not be used except under professional
supervision, the leaves should not be used for more than 4 - 6 weeks at
a time, the herb should not be taken whilst pregnant or breast-feeding
and it should not be given to children under the age of six.
The botanical name, Tussilago, signifies 'cough dispeller,' and
Coltsfoot has justly been termed 'nature's best herb for the lungs and
her most eminent thoracic.' The smoking of the leaves for a cough has
the recommendation of Dioscorides, Galen, Pliny, Boyle, and other great
authorities, both ancient and modern, Linnaeus stating that the Swedes
of his time smoked it for that purpose. Pliny recommended the use of
both roots and leaves. The leaves are the basis of the British Herb
Tobacco, in which Coltsfoot predominates, the other ingredients being
Buckbean, Eyebright, Betony, Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, and Chamomile
flowers. This relieves asthma and also the difficult breathing of old
bronchitis. Those suffering from asthma, catarrh and other lung
troubles derive much benefit from smoking this Herbal Tobacco, the use
of which does not entail any of the injurious effects of ordinary
tobacco.
Modern research has shown that extracts of the whole plant can
increase immune resistance. In a Chinese trial 75% of patients
suffering from bronchial asthma showed some improvement after treatment
with this plant, though the anti-asthmatic effect was short-lived.
The leaves are harvested in June and early July, the flowers are
harvested when fully open and the root is harvested in the autumn. All
can be dried and used as required.
The plant is antitussive, astringent, demulcent, emollient,
expectorant, stimulant and tonic. It is widely used in the treatment of
coughs and respiratory problems and is often candied so that it can be
sucked as a candy. The plant is of particular use in the treatment of
chronic emphysema and silicosis, helping to relieve the persistant
cough associated with these conditions. Coltsfoot is paticularly
effective when used in combination with liquorice (Glycyrrhiza
species), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and wild cherry (Prunus serotina).
A poultice of the flowers has a soothing effect on a range of skin
disorders including eczema, ulcers, sores, bites and inflammations.
A bitter, tonic and diaphoretic preparation can be obtained from the root.
Flower buds and young flowers - raw or cooked. A pleasant aniseed flavor, they add a distinctive aromatic flavor to salads.
Young leaves - raw or cooked. They can be used in salads, added to
soups, or cooked as a vegetable. The leaves have a bitter taste unless
they are washed after being boiled. An aromatic tea is made from the
fresh or dried leaves and flowers. It has a liquorice-like flavor. The
dried and burnt leaves are used as a salt substitute. The slender
rootstock is candied in sugar syrup.
Known Hazards: The plant contains traces of liver-affecting
pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is potentially toxic in large doses. These
alkaloids have not proved toxic at low dosages in tests and there is no
suggestion that this plant should not be used medicinally.
Other Common Names: Ass's Foot, Bullsfoot, Clayweed, Cleats,
Colt's-foot, Coughwort, Donnhove, Farfara, Fieldhove, Foalswort,
Hallfoot, Horsehoof, Huki-Tanpopo, K'Uan Tung, Oksurukotu,
Son-before-father, To Wu, Tusilago, Tussilago farfara
Range: Chile; China; Eurasia; France; Spain; Turkey
Habitat: Damp habitats, frequently on alkaline clays, in
hedgebanks, roadsides, wasteland, often as a pioneer, and on dunes and
shingle in coastal zones
An effective demulcent and expectorant herb, coltsfoot is one of the
most popular remedies for the treatment of a wide range of chest
complaints. It is widely available in health food shops. The leaves are
commonly used in Europe, though the flowering stems (which contain
higher levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids) are preferred in China. They
are rich in mucilage and are the main parts used, though the root is
also sometimes employed. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have a toxic effect
upon the liver, but are largely destroyed when the plant is boiled to
make a decoction. Some caution should be employed in the use of this
remedy - the flowers should not be used except under professional
supervision, the leaves should not be used for more than 4 - 6 weeks at
a time, the herb should not be taken whilst pregnant or breast-feeding
and it should not be given to children under the age of six.
The botanical name, Tussilago, signifies 'cough dispeller,' and
Coltsfoot has justly been termed 'nature's best herb for the lungs and
her most eminent thoracic.' The smoking of the leaves for a cough has
the recommendation of Dioscorides, Galen, Pliny, Boyle, and other great
authorities, both ancient and modern, Linnaeus stating that the Swedes
of his time smoked it for that purpose. Pliny recommended the use of
both roots and leaves. The leaves are the basis of the British Herb
Tobacco, in which Coltsfoot predominates, the other ingredients being
Buckbean, Eyebright, Betony, Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, and Chamomile
flowers. This relieves asthma and also the difficult breathing of old
bronchitis. Those suffering from asthma, catarrh and other lung
troubles derive much benefit from smoking this Herbal Tobacco, the use
of which does not entail any of the injurious effects of ordinary
tobacco.
Modern research has shown that extracts of the whole plant can
increase immune resistance. In a Chinese trial 75% of patients
suffering from bronchial asthma showed some improvement after treatment
with this plant, though the anti-asthmatic effect was short-lived.
The leaves are harvested in June and early July, the flowers are
harvested when fully open and the root is harvested in the autumn. All
can be dried and used as required.
The plant is antitussive, astringent, demulcent, emollient,
expectorant, stimulant and tonic. It is widely used in the treatment of
coughs and respiratory problems and is often candied so that it can be
sucked as a candy. The plant is of particular use in the treatment of
chronic emphysema and silicosis, helping to relieve the persistant
cough associated with these conditions. Coltsfoot is paticularly
effective when used in combination with liquorice (Glycyrrhiza
species), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and wild cherry (Prunus serotina).
A poultice of the flowers has a soothing effect on a range of skin
disorders including eczema, ulcers, sores, bites and inflammations.
A bitter, tonic and diaphoretic preparation can be obtained from the root.
Flower buds and young flowers - raw or cooked. A pleasant aniseed flavor, they add a distinctive aromatic flavor to salads.
Young leaves - raw or cooked. They can be used in salads, added to
soups, or cooked as a vegetable. The leaves have a bitter taste unless
they are washed after being boiled. An aromatic tea is made from the
fresh or dried leaves and flowers. It has a liquorice-like flavor. The
dried and burnt leaves are used as a salt substitute. The slender
rootstock is candied in sugar syrup.
Known Hazards: The plant contains traces of liver-affecting
pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is potentially toxic in large doses. These
alkaloids have not proved toxic at low dosages in tests and there is no
suggestion that this plant should not be used medicinally.
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