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Latin writers of ancient times define the coltsfoot plant as filium ante patrem (son before the father) since its flowers grow in the early Spring, two or three months before its leaves. The latter do not mature until the flowers start withering. The plant has been used as an antitussive for time immemorial.
The great Greek physician, pharmacologist, botanist, and author Pedanius Dioscorides called coltsfoot the Greek name of bekion, from which the word bechic comes from its properties of easing coughs and sore throats. Coltsfoot is still the bechic plant par excellence after two thousand years.
Coltsfoot Plant Scientific Facts
- Other names: British tobacco, bulls foot, butterbur, cough-wort, flower value, hotel’s foot, horsefoot, horse hoof.
- French: Tussilage.
- Spanish: Tusilago.
- Environment: Cold, wet soils all over Europe. It prefers argillaceous soils, though it may also be found in calcareous soils. Not very common in America.
- Description: This vibrant plant of the Compositae family grows up to 30 cm high. It has underground stems from which flowering, fleshy stems grow annually. The leaves are reduced to scales, and a yellow flower head grows in their tip. After the flowers, large petioled leaves with a whitish underside grow.
- Parts of the plant used medicinally: Dried leaves and flower heads.
Healing Properties and Warning
The flower heads, especially the coltsfoot leaves, contain abundant mucilage with expectorant, bechic, antitussive, and emollient (soothing) properties on the respiratory airways. They also contain triterpenic and flavonoid alcohols (rhutine and hesperidin), whose mild antispasmodic properties improve Coltsfoot’s antitussive and bronchi-dilating action.
The coltsfoot plant has sudorific and depurative properties since it produces the elimination of toxins, both through urine and sweat. This action is beneficial to combat the infectious component of most respiratory ailments.
Coltsfoot is thus recommended for all respiratory ailments: it thins bronchial secretions and helps eliminate them, eases cough, dilates the bronchi, and reduces the inflammation of the respiratory mucous membrane.
It is highly recommended for acute and chronic bronchitis, bronchial catarrh, asthma, pulmonary emphysema, bronchial pneumonia, influenza, tracheitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and tonsilitis (sore throat). Coltsfoot renders good results in treating aphonia; both applied internally and externally.
It is better to wait two or three days for acute bronchitis and bronchial pneumonia so that the acute phase and the congestion begin to disappear.
The coltsfoot plant is invaluable for former smokers since it contributes to the regeneration of the respiratory mucous membrane. Its infusion is beneficial in detoxifying tobacco and cleansing the accumulated secretions in the bronchi. Hence, coltsfoot has been a primary ingredient of the so-called herbal tobacco. However, people suffering from bronchial afflictions should abstain from any smoke, including coltsfoot smoke.
In external applications, it is used to heal several skin disorders, wounds and sores, inflammations ( dermatitis), and rashes. It is recommended for people with greasy skin to clean and strengthen the scalp.
WARNING! The LEAVES of the coltsfoot plant were used in salads because they contained vitamin C, which prevents scurvy. However, it is better to abstain from eating raw fresh leaves since they contain small amounts of a toxic alkaloid that acts on the liver. This substance disappears when the plant is dried.
The coltsfoot plant is an excellent herbal remedy for respiratory problems. It is highly beneficial in treating throat catarrh, pleurisy, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, hoarseness, colds, and coughs. Also, the herb can treat diarrhea. The name, tussilago, means “cough dispeller” and is considered one of the best cough remedies. For the best results against difficulty breathing, bronchitis, and asthma, it should be taken as a tea, primarily combined with marshmallow and horehound.
Combine the coltsfoot plant with licorice root, ginger, and horehound to make an effective cough syrup. Do not hesitate to add it to all spasmodic lung condition remedies. Additionally, bleeding and inflammation soothe the intestines and stomach.
The plant also can heal wounds and many skin ailments. It can treat dry skin, dermatitis, burns, inflamed bunions, bruises, stings, bedsores, and bites. A decoction or crushed leaves can be externally applied to remedy phlebitis, leg ulcers, erysipelas, burns, general swellings, inflammations, and insect bites. Coltsfoot has also successfully treated skin rashes, sunburn, scabies, psoriasis, nosebleeds, leg ulcers, and bleeding hemorrhoids.
In Germany, the leaves of this plant are approved for treating mild inflammation of the mouth or throat, respiratory tract inflammation, cough, and hoarseness.
Warning: Coltsfoot contains traces of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be toxic to the liver in high doses. Germany limits its use to four to six weeks per year, except under your doctor’s advice.
How to use Coltsfoot
- Infusion with 30-50 g of dry plant per liter of water. Drink from three to five hot cups daily. To improve its slightly unpleasant flavor, honey, anise, or peppermint may be added to coltsfoot tea. Children should take it by spoonfuls: half to one every hour. This infusion must be strained before being used to eliminate the tiny hairs the flower heads have, which may irritate the throat.
- Gargles were used internally with the same infusion, though slightly more concentrated.
- Compresses and lotions are applied to the affected skin area with the concentrated infusion.
- Tincture: Take ½ to one teaspoon as needed.
- Powder: Take ten to twenty #0 capsules (60 to 120 grains) as required.
- Fluid Extract: Take ½ to one teaspoon as needed.
DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.
REFERENCES
George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 341, 342. Print. [coltsfoot plant]
Vance Ferrell Harold M. Cherne, M.D. The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia [Book]. – Altamont, TN: Harvestime Books, 2010. – Vol. Seventh Edition: 7: pp. 153.