- When to use coltsfoot?
- How to prepare the common coltsfoot?
- Contraindications to the use of coltsfoot
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Common coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.) supports the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract, such as wet cough with residual discharge, chronic dry cough, sore throat or laryngitis. This plant, commonly found in our country, has been used in folk medicine for centuries. What other he alth-promoting properties does the common coltsfoot have?
Coltsfoot(Tussilago farfara L . , whites, donkey's foot, horse hoof, god's cheek, kniat, kaczyniec, water lily, white trees, goose heads, pike flowers) likes moist and clay soil, therefore it grows well on the banks of rivers and lakes, in meadows, fields, roadside ditches, coastal cliffs, where it has access to the sun at the same time. It is not a very impressive plant - it reaches a maximum height of approx. 30 cm, has a small stem, yellow inflorescences and quite large characteristic leaves. It is mainly the leaves that are used in herbal medicine, because they contain many valuable ingredients, including:
- flavonoids,
- tannins,
- carotenoids,
- mucus and mineral compounds,
- phenolic acids,
- essential oil.
Common coltsfoot thanks to these ingredients shows the action:
- expectorant,
- anti-inflammatory,
- antibacterial,
- antispasmodics,
- covers.
Since the common coltsfoot is a very early flowering plant, care must be taken to harvest it in good time. For therapeutic purposes, young leaves without a stalk are used, and sometimes also coltsfoot baskets - both need to be dried well so that they do not get wet.
When to use coltsfoot?
The indications for the use of coltsfoot include mainly inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Coltsfoot flowers can also be used for bathing - then apart from alleviating skin inflammation, we get an additional effect - calming and relaxing.
Thanks to its expectorant properties, it is perfect for coughing infections with residual discharge. It facilitates expectoration, because it stimulates the movements of cilia in the respiratory epithelium. At the same time, however, it has a diastolic effect, which is why it is used as an aid in bronchitis, asthma and emphysema.
Additionally, thanks to the protective properties andas a disinfectant, it is also used in sore throats, laryngitis and chronic dry cough, which occurs with infections, but also in smokers.
Coltsfoot flowers, on the other hand, are mainly used externally to disinfect and soothe skin lesions. First, a decoction is prepared, which can be used to wash all kinds of pimples, boils, ulcers, abscesses, corns, and bruises.
How to prepare the common coltsfoot?
Coltsfoot can be prepared in several ways. For the infusion, you need to use one tablespoon of the mixture, which you pour over a glass of boiling water and let it brew, covered, for about 10 minutes. After cooling, strain and drink no more than half a glass of infusion twice a day. In turn, to prepare a decoction, use one tablespoon of herbs, which is poured with water and then boiled for about 10-15 minutes. After straining and cooling the decoction, it is dosed in the same way as for the infusion. If, however, we want to use coltsfoot flowers for bathing, pour one or two tablespoons of herb into one and a half liters of water and cook for about half an hour. Then keep the mixture covered for 20-30 minutes and after straining, pour it into the bathtub. The bath should not last longer than a quarter of an hour.
Contraindications to the use of coltsfoot
Common coltsfoot should be used with caution, because apart from he alth-promoting ingredients, it also contains small amounts of toxic compounds. That is why it should not be used for more than 6 weeks throughout the year. Coltsfoot should not be given to children under 12 years of age, nor is it recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.