Coltsfoot ~ Tussilago farfara

Coltsfoot

Latin name: Tussilago farfara

Family: Asteraceae

Part used: whole plant, esp. leaves and flowers

Habitat: damp places inBritain andEurope

Main constituents: tussilagone, flavonoids, mucilage L-652-469

Energetics: sweet

Main herbal actions: antitussive, expectorant, sedative, demulcent, anticatarrhal

Minor herbal actions: antispasmodic, cardiovascular and immune stimulant

Main medicinal uses: asthma, emphysema

Minor medicinal uses: coughs, laryngitis

Preparations: infusion: 1 Tbsp/cup water; 1:5 tincture: 10-50 gtt qd-qid; tea: 30-100 grams, dry herb weight (Khalsa) (note possible discrepancies for doses of different preparations)

Contraindications: use for longer than 6 wks/yr (concern is for pyrrolizidine alkaloid content- debated); pregnancy, nursing

Toxicity: contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (negative effects debated)

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations