Medicinal Plants : Pulmonaria officinalis

Name

Lungwort

Biological Name

Pulmonaria officinalis
Boraginaceae

Other Names

Lungwort, spotted lungwort, maple lungwort, Jerusalem cowslip, Jerusalem sage, spotted comfrey, oak lungs, lungmoss

Parts Used

Leaves

Active Compounds

Allantoin

Flavonoids: quercitin and kaempferol

Miscellaneous: tannins, mucilage, vitamin C, saponins, (unspecified). Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, common in other plants of the Boraginaceae, have been shown to be absent from all samples of Pulmonaria officinalis tested.

Remedies For

Demulcent, expectorant, astringent, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary.

Lungwort has two broad areas of use. The one that provides its name is its use in the treatment of coughs and bronchitis, especially where associated with upper respiratory catarrh. The other broad area is that related to its astringency. It is used in the treatment of diarrhea, especially in children, and in easing hemorrhoids. Externally this plant may be used to heal cuts and wounds.

Combinations: For lung conditions, this herb may be used with White Horehound, Coltsfoot or Lobelia.

Description

Found in shady places; often cultivated in gardens.

Dosage

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Tincture: take l-4ml of the tincture three times a day.

Safety

No information available. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.