Named because the shape of the leaves resembles a horse’s foot, this herb is indigenous to Europe and some parts of Asia. Being one of the earliest blooming Spring flowers, coltsfoot has gained the name Filius ante patrem – or ‘son before the father’. This is also because the leaves only appear after the blooms have faded.

Coltsfoot is often mistaken for dandelion because of the similarity of the flowers which have a striking resemblance to each other. The herb also has a similar character to the dandelion being considered a weed and growing by roadsides, in waste land, hedgerows and meadows.

The two traditions that have highly regarded this herb are Western Herbalism and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Both prescribe the herb as a remedy for sore throats and coughs. Even the Latin name for Coltsfoot has derived from its traditional usage with Tussil meaning ‘cough’ and ago meaning ‘depart’.

Scientific studies have shown that Coltsfoot contains a significant amount of a substance called mucilage. This substance then coats the throat and effectively soothes the respiratory tract. It is thought that this herb has an excellent effect against Asthma, sore throat, wheezing, bronchitis and laryngitis.

The great herbalists of antiquity such as Dioscorides and Phiny recommended smoking the herb to help the throat. Although this practice probably won’t help the throat to heal, smoking Coltsfoot is still thought to be a good substitute to smoking tobacco.

Other uses have been recorded where Coltsfoot has been applied as a topical balm to the skin. Using a poultice of flowers, Coltsfoot was traditionally applied to the skin to treat skin problems such as inflammation, eczema and stings.

How to use:

Usually Coltsfoot herb (leaves or flowers, sometimes by decoction) is made into a tea. Other uses include smoking the herb and making a flower poultice to treat skin conditions.

Flavonoids, approximately 8 per cent mucilage comprising polysaccharides, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, about 10 per cent tannins, zinc and vitamin C. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids are hepatotoxic; However, they are generally obliterated when the herb is boiled to prepare a decoction.

1 lb

COLTSFOOT (Tussilago farfara) Leaf C/s

From Europe