Medicinal Plants : Tussilago farfara

Name

Coltsfoot

Biological Name

Tussilago farfara

Other Names

Coughwort, Horsehoof, Foal's Foot, Coltsfoot, bull's foot, horsefoot, butterbur, British tobacco, flower velure, ginger root, kuan dong hua

Parts Used

Dried flowers and leaves.

Active Compounds

Flanonoids; rutin, hyperoside and isoquercetin

Mucilage, consisting of polysaccharides based on glucose, galactose, fructose, arabinose and xylose; and inulin

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including senkirkine and tussilagine

Tannin.

Remedies For

Expectorant, anti-tussive, anti-spasmodic, demulcent, anti-catarrhal, diuretic, emollient, pectoral, diaphoretic, tonic, antiasthmatic

Indications : Coltsfoot combines a soothing expectorant effect with an anti-spasmodic action. The leaves of this herb contain zinc, a mineral that has been shown to have marked anti-inflammatory effects. Coltsfoot may be used in chronic or acute bronchitis, irritating coughs, whooping coughs and asthma. Its soothing expectorant action gives Coltsfoot a role in most respiratory conditions, including the chronic states of emphysema. As a mild diuretic it has been used in cystitis. The fresh bruised leaves can be applied to boils, abscesses and suppurating ulcers.

Description

A common wild plant in Britain and Europe, growing in damp places. Coltsfoot is a common herb used throughout history for coughs and wheezing. It is the Chinese, however, who primarily emphasize the use of the flowers for this purpose. Interestingly, while the leaves used in the West are primarily used as an anti-inflammatory, the flowers are mostly used by the Chinese for coughs that are due to cold.

Dosage

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried flowers of leaves and let infuse for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day, as hot as possible.

Tincture: take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Combinations : In the treatment of coughs it may be used with White Horehound, Mullein or Elecampane.

Safety

Coltsfoot flower should not be used for conditions that are of a hot nature.

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