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I decided to still do a weekly forage weed even though I did the GSE post. I’ll probably end up doing one on dandelion too but I think most people at least have some idea of its value so I’ll wait on it. If you guys have suggestions just dm me.

COLTSFOOT

General Info

Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara L.
Common Names: coughwort, assfoot, horsefoot, foalfoot, bull’s-foot, horsehoof, colt-herb, clayweed, cleats, dove-dock, dummyweed, ginger, gingerroot, hoofs, sowfoot, British tobacco, gowan.
Key Western Actions & Medicinal Uses: Demulcent, Expectorant, Tonic, Diuretic, Blood Purifier, Antispasmodic, Antitussive. Asthma, coughing, colds, bronchitis, emphysema, silicosis.

Native Origin: A native of Europe, this plant is believed to be brought to the US by early settlers for its medicinal properties.

Description: Coltsfoot is a perennial herb in the Aster family (Asteraceae). Solitary flowers are dandelion-like and bright yellow in color. There are several scaly white flower stalks per plant. Flowers emerge before the leaves in early spring through June growing 3 to 12 inches in height. Brown nutlets are attached to a pappus resembling the white fluffy seed heads of common dandelion. The heart-shaped (cordate) leaves appear after flowers have matured. Leaves are 3 to 7 inches wide, slightly toothed, upright and the underside is whitish. They arise directly from the root with no main stem present. Coltsfoot reproduces both vegetatively and sexually. The roots can remain dormant underground for long periods of time.

Human Consumption

Edible parts: Coltsfoot flowers can be eaten. They can be tossed into salads to add a wonderful aromatic flavour; or fill a jar with the flowers and add honey to make a remedy to help calm a cough or to sweeten a bitter herbal tea. Dried flowers can be dried and chopped up so that they can be added to pancakes, fritters, etc. Young leaves can be added to soups or stews and small quantities of fresh young leaves can be used in salads. The leaves have a bitter taste unless they are washed after being boiled. An aromatic tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves and flowers. The dried and burnt leaves are used as a salt substitute.

Caution: Do not exceed 10g a day. Not recommended for infants and small children or during pregnancy. Not recommended for those suffering from liver ailments or weaknesses.

Medicinal Properties

Inherent in this weed are constituents that cause expectorant, antitussive, demulcent, anticatarrhal, pectoral tonic and diuretic actions.
Let me explain each of those:

* Expectorants support the body in getting rid of excess mucous in the respiratory system
* antitussives suppress coughing
* demulcents are rich in mucilaginous content which soothes irritated and inflamed tissue
* anticatarrhals basically help your body get rid of snot buildup, wherever in the body that is happening
* pectorals are general healers and strengtheners of the respiratory system; tonic herbs reinforce and strengthen the body’s systems, either individually as needed or overall
* diuretic gets you urinating which can help eliminate toxins. (Just remember to rehydrate!) Some people have used a tea for the diuretic properties to help with cystitis, which requires the system to be thoroughly flushed to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection and restore balance to the bladder environment.
* Now it also has emollient qualities, which make it a great herb to add to skin soothing, softening or protective preparations. It’s like the internal action as a demulcent, but externally. Fresh leaves can be crushed in your hands and then applied to abscesses, boils or festering ulcers.
* the plant contains significant amounts of mucilage, the substance that is famous for safely and effectively soothing sore throats and treating coughs, wheezing, bronchitis and asthma.

Medicinal Remedies/Folk Uses

A nice tea recipe for coughing would look like equal parts of coltsfoot leaf, white horehound or marshmallow leaf and flower and mullein leaf. (About a third cup dried or a half cup fresh herbs) Put your herbs in a nice teapot meant for infusing herbs or just into a glass jar. Then cover with boiling water and let steep a good half hour, even longer but not so long your tea is so strong you can’t drink it! 30-45 minutes is a good window. Then just sip on your tea as you have need throughout the day.

Treat Asthma
A decoction of 1 oz. coltsfoot leaves, in a quart of water, boiled down to a pint, with a bit of honey or licorice can be taken one cup 3-5x daily to help treat asthma and bad colds.

Poultice
A poultice made from coltsfoot flowers is useful for treating skin conditions.

In olden times, the leaves were dried and smoked, sometimes along with the dried root to alleviate bronchial spasms. To me, this seems counterintuitive, but I include it just for the historical aspect. Pliny, a first century Roman naturalist, recommended the dried leaves and roots of Coltsfoot to be burnt -optimally on cypress charcoal, and the smoke drawn into the mouth through a reed and swallowed, as a remedy for an obstinate cough, the patient sipping a little wine between each inhalation. Mmmhmmm….I think I will stick to the tea, thank you anyway.

Identification Tidbit

Typically an image of the plant in flower and the plant during foliage are both needed for proper identification. The early famous botanist, Pliny, thought the plant had no leaves, as none are seen until after the plant blooms. Seldom do the leaves and flowers ever appear together at one time. It is often mistaken for dandelion because the flowers are similar and the plants both like to grow in waste land and roadside areas.

Rabbit Uses

Coltsfoot is naturally low in fat and high in fibre making it excellent for maintaining a regular digestive system whilst also promoting dental health. Coltsfoot has also been used traditionally for hundreds of years for the natural support of a healthy respiratory system. It’s a respiratory expectorant after all.

Coltsfoot does contain alkaloids which are damaging in excess. It’s the same with borage and comfrey which we know is still a useful herb/weed to our bunnies. Although from my research I have found that most alkaloids are found in the root, the leaves and flowers have a minimal amount. However as with most anything I wouldn’t overdo it. Err on the side of caution.

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