The Herb Hound: COLTSFOOT

COLTSFOOT - Tussilago Farfara

Also known as: coughwort, hallfoot, horsehoof, bullsfoot, foalswort, ass's foot, the son before the fathers, British tobacco, flower velure, butterbur, etc.

Parts used: roots, leaves, flowers.

Systems: lungs, urinary, immune, skin, circulatory.

COLTSFOOT is a member of the Compositae (Sunflower) family. It is a perennial that has an interesting growing cycle as the flowers appear before the leaves do. The lovely yellow blossoms come out in early spring and as they fade, the leaves begin to emerge. The leaves are about four (4) inches wide and resemble a hoof or are hoof shaped with mildly teethed margins. The leaf and stem are covered with a white felt substance when young but this disappears as the leaves get bigger. ColtsFoot tends to like alkaline, clay, loamy, or limestone soils but can be found growing by roadsides, waste places, railways, stream banks, pastures, etc. The root is white and small but tends to spread with time. It is native to North Africa, Europe, and Asia but can now be found in Canada and the USA. The leaves are best gathered in June or early July while the flowers should be gathered much earlier (Feb. - Apr.) The root can be gathered in the early months of the year also, before the plant flowers or in the fall/winter after the leaves die back. The seed heads become fluff balls (much like a dandelion's) which often are gathered by birds to line their nests. (Incidentally, it is said that the Scottish Highlanders once used this fluff to stuff their pillows.)

ColtsFoot dates back centuries as many herbs seem to. Its Latin name 'Tussilago' literally means 'cough depart.' It was also called 'Filius ante patrem,' which means 'son before the father,' no doubt due to the flowers blooming before the leaves appear. The herb has been used through the ages for respiratory issues to great effect. In fact, Dioscorides, Boyle, Galen, and Pliny all recommended smoking the leaves to relieve coughing, bronchitis, asthma, catarrh, and other respiratory issues. Linnaeus said the Swedes also used it for lung issues. The British even had their own special tobacco blend which featured ColtsFoot (it also contained thyme, eyebright, betony, chamomile, rosemary, buckbean, and lavender) that was smoked during times of respiratory distress; they also created a cough drop called Coltsfoot Rock that was quite popular for sore throats and laryngitis. The French apothecaries had a picture of ColtsFoot on their signs so those who couldn't read were able to distinguish herb shops. The flower stalks were decocted into a syrup for bronchitis. It also was decocted with wormwood for lymphatic issues, and a decoction of the leaves was used for colds and asthma.

Culpeper stated that:

"The fresh leaves, or juice, or syrup thereof, is good for a bad dry cough, or wheezing and shortness of breath. The dry leaves are best for those who have their rheums and distillations upon their lungs causing a cough, for which also the dried leaves taken as tobacco, or the root is very good. The distilled water hereof simply or which elder flowers or nightshade is a singularly good remedy against all agues, to drink 2 oz. at a time and apply cloths wet therein to the head and stomach, which also does much good being applied to any hot swellings or inflammations. It helpeth St. Anthony's fire (erysypelas) and burnings, and is singular good to take away wheals."

John Gerard, 16th century herbalist, said that the plant was named 'Farfara' due to the resemblance of its leaves to the white poplar. Apparently, ColtsFoot leaves are covered with hairs, but the top becomes smooth as the leaf rolls out whereas the underside becomes white and felt-like. Afterward, these leaves were wrapped in cloth and dipped in saltpeter (aka potassium nitrate), dried, and used as fire starters. (The leaves also were said to forecast the future by peeling away a small layer of the leaf to show a shiny surface which was once referred to as a mirror or window. Special chants were said over this window which was then opened to show one their future.)

ColtsFoot was often used by Cornish tin miners to help with respiratory complaints. It was also used for inflammation, vaginal complaints, eye irritations, depression, gastric ulcers, colitis, diarrhea, irritable bowel, sinus congestion, cystitis, sore throat, urinary infections, dandruff, insect bites, etc.

ColtsFoot is high in pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are believed to cause cancer. However, it seems that infusing/decocting the plant diminishes that a great deal.

ColtsFoot also contains a number of beneficial elements as well such as potassium, sulfur, zinc, manganese, iron, calcium, copper, vitamins A, C, B, and P, inulin, pectin, quercetin, rutin, and magnesium.

WebMD advises against using it while pregnant or nursing, if one is allergic to the ragweed family, if one has high blood pressure, liver disease, or heart disease. It should also not be given to children under the age of five (5). Also, those on blood thinners should avoid it. Excessive ColtsFoot can cause an increase in blood pressure as well.