Colt's Foot

Health Benefits. Medicinal Uses. Preparation.

I keeping a store of dried coltsfoot on hand for those winter coughs and colds that are bound to come. Coltsfoot is one of the most effective cold herbs I have tried. Still, I keep it for reserved for short term use because of the presence of the very small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (see Safety bellow).

Coltsfoot has been a widely used as a folk remedy in Europe for thousands of years. Coltsfoot is used as a respiratory disinfectant, expectorant, and cough suppressant and makes an effective tea to clear congestion. Since the days of ancient Greece and Rome coltsfoot has been used to relieve asthma and bronchial congestion.

Anather name for coltsfoot In some regions of Eastern European countries is “son before the father,” referring to the fact that the bright yellow flowers come out early in the spring and disappear before the leaves emerge.

Common Names:

Coughwort, Son before the father, British Tobacco, “Мать-и-Мачеха”(Russian), Tussilage (French), Foal’s Foot…

Botanical Name:

Tussilago farfara

Parts used:

Dried flowers with stem. Leaves.

Taste:

Tasteless, with slight pleasant aroma

Key actions: Antiscrofulous, Antitussive, Astringent, Demulcent, Emollient, Expectorant, Tonic

Uses: Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds, Congestion, Nicotine addiction, Cough, Whooping cough

Constituents: mucilage, alkaloid, saponins, tannin (especially in the leaf), zinc, potassium, calcium.

Growing: Coltsfoot is a native of Europe, but grow now in much of North America. Coltsfoot is often found in wet areas, such as ditches along roadsides and trails. Which is where I found mine! It spreads aggressively, and is considered highly invasive, so I wouldn’t recommend planting it in your garden. Plant it around your trees, and side areas

Harvest: Harvest flowers and stems at the peak of blooming in early spring. Leaves are harvested later in the spring and the best ones to pick are the ones that have all the black spots on them, because that’s the oil that’s surfacing on top, and telling you that it’s ready to be picked.

Preparation:

Coltsfoot is most often taken in teas or in cough syrups. Coltsfoot is also one of the herbs traditionally smoked, and may be of help as a transition those who wish to quit smoking tobacco.

Adult Dosage:

1 Tbsp (4-5 g) of herb on 3 quarts water.

Take 1 cup – 3 times a day

Children Dosage:

6 – 12 months old – 1/10th of an adult dose
1-6 years old – 1/3 adult dose
7-12 years old – 1/2 adult dose

Using Colt's Foot Herb in my Cough Syrup recipe:

Homemade Cough Syrup

Our first go to cough remedy and also great to give as a preventative in the winter months! The formulation of this Homemade Cough Syrup is not to stimulate the immune system, but rather support it with Vitamin C rich & Nutrient-dense Organic Ingredients.

Herbal Tea/Decoction for Flu, Cough and Congestion (recipe)

This herbal tea formula is focused on the whole Respiratory system recovery and on supporting the body’s natural detox pathways and vitality with necessary nutrients. Will work great for flu, cold, sore throat, dry persistent cough and other respiratory issues.

from Susan Weed:

Safety:

Keep it for reserved for short term use. The presence of some amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in coltsfoot caution against consumption large doses, as this chemical can cause liver damage. Moderate use in tea form is considered safe by most herbalists, but you may want to form your own opinion.
Coltsfoot may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to ragweed.

Considered not safe during Pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Resources: My invisible notes:

https://draxe.com/pau-darco-tea/

Richard Whelan Australian Herbalist