Coltsfoot

Latin name: Tussilago farfara Genus: Basket-flowering plants Folk name: Burnt lettuce, clayflower, male flower

Plant description

The plant blooms bright yellow already in early spring. Only after flowering the leaves develop, which are covered with a white hair felt on the underside. Flowering time: February to March. Occurrence: Coltsfoot thrives especially on clayey soils in temperate climates, in fields and along roadsides.

Medicinally used plant parts

The leaves, more rarely the flower heads.

Ingredients

Plant mucilages, tannins and bitter substances, alkaloids.

Curative effects and application

For the relief of irritation in cases of colds of the respiratory tract, supportive for pulmonary bloating and silicosis, chronic bronchitis. It facilitates the expectoration of the viscous mucus. Coltsfoot tea is also suitable as a gargle for inflammations of the throat.

Preparation

Coltsfoot Tea: Pour 1⁄4 l boiling water over 2 heaped teaspoons of cut, dried coltsfoot leaves, leave to infuse for 5 minutes, strain. Sweetened with honey, drink a cup 3 times a day. In case of chronic bronchitis, it is recommended to drink a cup of tea in the morning after waking up in order to facilitate the expectoration of the mucus formed overnight. For gargling in case of inflammation of the throat this tea is used without sugar or honey.

Side effects

In case of continuous use and overdosage, a liver-damaging effect cannot be excluded. A carcinogenic effect in case of continuous use is also being discussed.