The Coltsfoot Herb

( Western Herb )

Tussilago farfara

The Coltsfoot herb is also know as Assfoot, Coughwort, Horsehoof, British Tobacco, Bullsfoot, and Fieldhove.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

Coltsfoot herb is a perennial that looks a lot like a dandelion. It is a common wild plant and grows to the height of 4 to 10 inches. It has long hoof shaped leaves (some describe them as kidney shaped) and light yellow flowers.

You will commonly find this plant along roadsides and in open areas. It is native to Europe and Asia, but has become nationalized in North America.

This herb is traditionally used in the form of tea, but also appears in over-the-counter formulas for colds and congestion. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can seriously damage the liver and one study concluded that the flower buds are carcinogenic. In Europe and the United States, many practitioners still use the Coltsfoot herb routinely on a short term basis to treat coughs and other respiratory ailments.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* bronchitis

* coughs

* whooping cough

* laryngitis

* pneumonia

* upper respiratory tract congestion

* cystitis

Apply externally for:

* burns

* swelling

* skin ulcers

* inflammation

* insect bites

PREPARATION AND DOSAGE:

Over the counter:

This herb is available in tincture, capsules, and in bulk in health food stores.

Tincture: Take in recommended dosage on container.

At home:

Infusion: Pour one cup of boiling water onto 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried coltsfoot leaves or flowers and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Drink this three times a day, as hot as possible.

Decoction: In one quart of boiling water add 1 oz. of dried leaves. Boil this down to equal 1 pint. Sweeten this with honey and take a teacupful in doses frequently. This is especially good for colds and asthma. Compress: Soak a cloth or pad in a Coltsfoot leaves infusion for several minutes, wring it out, then apply to affected area.

Parts used: Leaves, flower, root

Collection: The Coltsfoot leaves should be gathered before they fully bloom. The leaves are best collected between late spring and early summer. Leaves should be chopped up before they are dried and stored. Fresh leaves can be used until Fall.

Constituents: Flowers-mucilage, tannin, taraxanthin, essential oil Leaves-mucilage, tannin, inulin, siterol, zinc, glycosidal bitter

Actions: Expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic anti-tussive, tonic, anti-catarrhal, pectoral

Combinations: can be combined with White Horehound and Mullein in the treatment of coughs.

It also can be combined with Garlic or Echinacea for bronchitis.

SIDE EFFECTS:

Serious: Fever, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, jaundice, or pain in the abdomen may result from using this herb.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

WARNING: Children under the age of two years old, pregnant or nursing women, alcoholics, or anyone with liver disease should not use this herb.