Coltsfoot
Coltsfoot belongs to the daisy family. The botanical name for the plant is Tussilga Farfare. It is also known by the name of coughworth, bull’s foot, assfoot and farfara. The coltsfoot plant has beautiful bright yellow flowers and has scaly stalks. The flowers have a sweet honey taste. The flower blooms first and then the leaves develop.
The earliest records of Coltsfoot herb are associated with European country sides, as seen in parts of England and North Africa. It was later found in North America too. Coltfoot is said to have been used in the ancient days of Greece and Rome to relieve bronchial congestion and all types of respiratory problems. It was used in those days to cure whooping cough.
The flowers and the stalks of the coltsfoot are edible. The plant grows in damp and warm conditions therefore it is normally found in waste land, in waterlogged places, in the edges of woodland, rough ground, building sites and such other places. All the parts of the plant, like the leaves, the roots and the flower can be used.
Coltsfoot has the property of curing respiratory problems. It also has the capacity to cure asthma, laryngitis, headaches and nose blockage. The flower of coltsfoot is used to cure skin infections and diseases like sores, eczema, inflammations and ulcers. The leaves of the coltsfoot contain zinc which is useful as an anti-inflammatory or even as an expectorant. Coltsfoot acts as an astringent. It also softens inflamed and irritated bowels making the intestine health.
For thousands of years coltsfoot has been mixed with various formulations and used as herbal remedies. Scientific studies have shown that Coltsfoot contains a significant amount of a substance called mucilage. This substance 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. Smoking Coltsfoot is thought to be a good substitute to smoking tobacco.