Coltsfoot

Latin name: Tussilago farfara

Family: Asteraceae (Aster, daisy or sunflower family)

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DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS 

Part of the Plant Used

Roots, stalks, leaves. Flowers, harvested in early spring, and leaves harvested in summer. Chop up leaves BEFORE they are dried and stored.

Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara is a very old medicine and has been documented for coughs as far back as 2,500 years ago. Eighteenth century French apothecary shops would advertise their presence by painting the coltsfoot plant on their signs. Cree tribes often call this plant puskwa meaning ‘wolverines foot’ or ‘owl’s blanket’ due to its insulating attributes. It was once even called Coltswort. Coltsfoot has a few additional names and varieties based on its geographical location and leaf type, for example, Petasites frigidus (sweet coltsfoot) or Petasites frigidus var sagittatus (arrow-leaved coltsfoot). It is now considered a native plant to much of the east coast and upper midwest United States.

Botanical descriptions include characteristics detailing a strout perennial with milky sap which flowers in early Spring before the serrated and heavily toothed leaves develop. Small clusters of white flowers with dandelion-like heads stand 10-50 cm high with leaves which are usually hairless and dark green in color on the upper surfaces, yet contain dense wooly hairs on the lower surface. Coltsfoot grows in moist habitats from lakes shores to woods and slopes.

CONSTITUENTS

• Mucilage
• Tannin
• Pyrrilizidine
• Alkaloids
• Inulin
• Zinc
• Bitter principle
• Sterols
• Flavonoids – including rutin
• Potassium
• Calcium

Bitter glycosides, tannin, caoutchouc, saponins, volatile oils, resin and pectin. Mucilage, bitter amorphous glucoside too. The flowers also contain a phytosterol and a dihydride alcohol.

THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

• Relaxing Expectorant
• Anti-catarrhal
• Anti-tussive
• Antispasmotic
• Demulcent
• Diuretic
• Topical: tissue healer and emollient

• Flowers: Chest complaints – including bronchitis, asthma and stubborn irritating coughs
• TCM: chronic coughs with profuse phlegm – to force rising lung qi to descend
• Leaves: Coughs. Fresh leaves can be applied to skin sores and chronic wounds (due to zinc). Due to zinc – leaves have marked anti-inflammatory effects.

Clinical: Anti-catarrhal, antispasmodic, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, pectoral, sedative and tonic. Dried leaves are commonly prepared in teas or infusions for coughs and upper respiratory discomforts. The antispasmodic and sedative effects help to block the nerves which initiate the cough. Coltsfoot also is an effect mucilage to coat and soothe a sore throat and aids in the relief of intercostal (between the ribs) pain from asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, dry hacking coughs, laryngitis, hoarseness, lung cancer symptoms, mouth and throat irritations, and wheezing. A poultice or salve made of flowers and leaves applied to the skin may aid in treating eczema, stings, bites and inflammation. The roots can be soaked in hot water for tea and taken internally to support healing from tuberculosis, sore throat, stomach ulcers and may even aid in staunching bleeding associated with these conditions.

Folk: diarrhea, tonsillitis, whooping cough. Smoking for respiratory issues.

Energetics: bitter, sweet, neutral.

HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS

Coltsfoot does require some caution with use. It contains naturally occurring compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can be harmful to the liver if taken for long periods of time. The highest concentrations are in the stalks and lowest in the leaves though this can vary based on where the plant grows. Do consume in conjunction with St. John’s Wort.Pregnancy, nursing mothers, infants and children should not consume or apply Coltsfoot to their skin. 

FORMULARY

Dosage

Two teaspoons of powdered leaves steeped in a cup of hot water daily, ⅛ to ½ teaspoon of liquid leaf extract three times a day, ½  to a little more than 1 teaspoon of coltsfoot tincture three times a day, or ⅛ to ½ teaspoon of liquid flower extract once a day. Elderly folks should be carefully monitored as their metabolic processes change with age.

• FLOWER DECOCTION: Irritable coughs and catarrah
• FLOWER TINCTURE: Combines well with thyme and elecampane for persistent coughs, 10-20 drops.
• FLOWER SYRUP: More moistening for dry coughs than infusion. Make from decoction
• LEAF POULTICE: Apply fresh leave externally to ulcers, sores and other slow to heal wounds

Dried leaves are commonly prepared in teas or infusions for coughs and upper respiratory discomforts. The antispasmodic and sedative effects help to block the nerves which initiate the cough. Coltsfoot also is an effect mucilage to coat and soothe a sore throat and aids in the relief of intercostal (between the ribs) pain from asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, dry hacking coughs, laryngitis, hoarseness, lung cancer symptoms, mouth and throat irritations, and wheezing.

A poultice or salve made of flowers and leaves applied to the skin may aid in treating eczema, stings, bites and inflammation. 

The roots can be soaked in hot water for tea and taken internally to support healing from tuberculosis, sore throat, stomach ulcers and may even aid in staunching bleeding associated with these conditions.

Spiritually, Coltsfoot leaf has been regarded to aid those who “have a deep fear of their own power, a symptom created out of lack of self-love and lack of trust in life” (Gray, 2011). She goes on to write that “Deep breathing helps us to merge back into our own skin, let go of grief and open ourselves to the present moment.”

Organ/Meridian Affinity: Lungs

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