Image source: "Coltsfoot" by Andreas Trepte - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coltsfoot.jpg#/media/File:Coltsfoot.jpg
Common name Coltsfoot
Plant family Asteraceae
Parts used Leaves, flowers, root.
Qualities Bitter, pungent, sweet, cool (Holmes, 2007).
Constituents
Flavonoids: rutin, hyperoside, isoquercetin. Mucilage (polysaccharides of glucose, galactose, fructose, arabinose, and xylose. Inulin. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids including senkirkine and tussilagine. Tannins (Hoffmann, 2003).
Actions
Demulcent, expectorant, tonic (Grieve, 1971). Anti-tussive, anti-spasmodic, anti-catarrhal, diuretic (Hoffman, 2003).
Indications
Grieve advises that a decoction of the herb is useful for treatment of colds and asthma (Grieve, 1971).
Per Holmes, the herb has a tropism for the lungs and throat (Holmes, 2007).
In addition to recommending it in cases of chronic pulmonary conditions, chronic emphysema and silicosis, pertussis, asthma, chronic or acute bronchitis, irritating coughs and whooping cough, Hoffman advises that this mildly diuretic herb has been used successfully to treat cystitis, and that the fresh crushed leaves can be used topically for boils, abscesses and ulcers (Hoffman, 2003).
Hechtman recommends T. farfara as an anti-inflammatory anti-tussive (Hechtman, 2011).
Sarris and Wardle recommend the herb for drug, unproductive coughs for its demulcent qualities and expectorant activity (Sarris & Wardle, 2010).
Preliminary research has identified T. farfara as a potential anti-cancer treatment; it has been shown to selectively induce apoptosis in human liver cancer cells in vitro (Lee et al., 2014).
Cautions/Contraindications
The pyrrolizedine alkaloid is hepatotoxic and so the herb must not be used by patients with liver conditions (Hoffman, 2003); Hoffman advises against long-term use, specifying it should not be used more than 4-6 weeks in a year (Hoffman, 2003). The alkaloid is also possibly mutagenic and carcinogenic (Roeder, 1995); not to be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding. It has also been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation (Hwang et al., 1987) and so may potentiate anti-clotting drugs such as Warfarin.
Dosage
Tincture (1:5 in 40%) 2-4ml three times per day.
Combinations
Per Grieve, combine with Marrubium vulgare, Althaea officinalis and Glechoma hederacea for chest conditions, and with wormwood for calculus complaints (Grieve, 1971).
With verbascum thapsus, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Althaea officinalis for treatment of productive cough (Braun & Cohen, 2010).
References
Braun, L., & Cohen, M. (2010). Herbs & natural supplements. Sydney: Elsevier Australia.
Chojkier, M. (2003). Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Journal Of Hepatology, 39(3), 437-446.
Grieve, M. (1971). A modern herbal. New York: Dover Publications.
Hechtman, L. (2011). Clinical naturopathic medicine. Sydney, Australia: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier Australia.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press.
Holmes, P. (2007). The energetics of Western herbs. Cotati, Calif.: Snow Lotus Press.
Hwang, S., Chang, M., Garcia, M., Han, Q., Huang, L., & King, V. et al. (1987). L-652,469 - a dual receptor antagonist of platelet activating factor and dihydropyridines from Tussilago farfara L. European Journal Of Pharmacology, 141(2), 269-281.
Lee, H., Cho, H., Jun, S., Lee, J., Yoon, J., & Lee, J. et al. (2014). Tussilago farfara L. augments TRAIL-induced apoptosis through MKK7/JNK activation by inhibition of MKK7‑TIPRL in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Oncology Reports.
Roeder, E. (1995). ChemInform Abstract: Medicinal Plants in Europe Containing Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids. Cheminform, 26(28), no-no. doi:10.1002/chin.199528310
Sarris, J., & Wardle, J. (2010). Clinical Naturopathy: An Evidence-based Guide to Practice. Churchill Livingstone.