|
| 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. |
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