Coltsfoot

Species name: tussilago farfara.

Also known as: Ass's foot, Bull's foot, Butterbur, Coughwort, Farfara, Foal's foot, Foalswort, Horse Foot and Winter heliotrope.

What is Coltsfoot and what is it used for? Coltsfoot is an herb that has been around historically for many centuries.

It is commonly used in herbal medicine and sometimes also consumed as a food item. If you suffer from a condition that causes frequent cough or sore throat, you may find relief in this herb.

Coltsfoot has been used medicinally as a cough suppressant. The name "tussilago" itself means "cough suppressant." The plant has long been used to treat lung ailments such as asthma as well as various coughs associated with smoking. Crushed flowers supposedly cured skin conditions, and the plant has been consumed as a food item.

The Coltsfoot plant is often found in waste and disturbed places and along roadsides and paths. In some areas it is considered an invasive species. It is native to several locations in Europe and Asia. It is also a common plant in North America and South America where it has been introduced, most likely by settlers as a medicinal item. Honeybees also enjoy this plant for its high pollen content.

Home Remedies using Coltsfoot:

Benefits of Coltsfoot:

This herb that closely resembles a dandelion when growing in the wild, has many great medicinal purposes. It has long been used as a cough suppressant and to help with many conditions that cause cough such as emphysema, asthma, bronchitis and smoking-related cough. It is also known to help with a sore throat and sore throat related to cough and cold.

Coltsfoot has a soothing expectorant and antispasmodic action which greatly helps in the treatment of acute or chronic bronchitis, irritating coughs, whooping cough and even asthma.

It reduces non-productive coughs and soothes dry, irritable airways. It has a role in treating most conditions of the respiratory tract, including the chronic states of emphysema and silicosis.

Uses of Coltsfoot:

• To cure cough and related conditions
• To help skin conditions
• To treat sore throat or throat irritation caused by cough and related conditions
• Dried herb: 0.6-2g or by infusion
• Liquid extract: 1:1 in 25% alcohol, 0.6-2ml
• Tincture: 1:5 in 45% alcohol, 2-8ml
• Syrup: liquid extract 1:4 in syrup, 2-8ml

Side Effects of Coltsfoot:

None, except in pregnant or nursing women.