Coltsfoot leaves are offered on the market almost only in the form of homeopathic preparations. In the field of herbal medicines exists only a pressed juice containing coltsfoot leaves. Tea preparations are also no longer offered due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids they contain.
The leaves should be kept dry, cool and protected from light.
Coltsfoot: the right dose
The average daily dose is 4.5 to 6 grams of the leaves, unless otherwise prescribed. The daily dose should not exceed a level of 10 micrograms for coltsfoot tea and tea mixtures, and 1 microgram of pyrrolizidine alkaloids for extracts and fresh plant press juices.
Coltsfoot – preparation as a tea.
To prepare a tea, 1.5 to 2.5 grams of the finely chopped leaves (1 teaspoon corresponds to about 1 gram) is poured over boiling water and after 5 to 10 minutes passed through a tea strainer. However, due to the hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids it contains, it is not advisable to prepare a tea from coltsfoot leaves collected by oneself.
When should coltsfoot not be used?
Coltsfoot should not be used during pregnancy, while breastfeeding and by children under 12 years of age. However, this is purely a precautionary measure due to lack of experience, there are no concrete suspected cases.
Preparations of coltsfoot leaves should not be used for more than 4 to 6 weeks per year.
