A HERBALIST’S VIEW OF COLT’S-FOOT

The Latin name Tussilago farfara means‘cough dispeller’ and it is for this purpose that colt’s-foot was used in folk remedies over many generations. The flowers, briefly available in early spring, can be gathered and dried to make tea or layered with sugar to make a syrup. After that, the leaves are used. Colt’s-foot rock was once popular and I have a recipe (as yet untried!) for a bitter beer made from colt’s-foot, nettles, dandelion, hops and ginger. Colt’s-foot was particularly indicated for dry, unproductive cough, for asthma and emphysema. It seems to grow well on poor soil, including soil around coalmines and other industrial sites. It is said to contain significant levels of zinc, which may add to its therapeutic effect.

The discovery that this plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids has raised concerns about its safety as a remedy. Although there is no ban on its use, nor evidence, to my knowledge, that the levels of these alkaloids present in the plant are sufficient to be harmful, many herbalists now prefer to err on the side of caution and so use alternative remedies for cough and chest conditions. There are many alternatives to choose from, such as white horehound, mullein, liquorice, thyme and elecampane.

CarolineWheeler
MedicalHerbalist