General Information
Common name: Coltsfoot
Scientific term: Tussilago farfara, Tussilago
Composition:
The active chemical composition determines the medicinal properties of Coltsfoot:
- Leaves: Carotenoids, Tussilagin, Sitosterol, Gallic, tartaric and malic acids, Tannins, Dextrin, Mucus, Mnulin, Flavonoids, Vitamin C;
- Flowers: Triterpene alcohols, Phytosterol, Firadiol, Arnidol, Carbohydrates, Carotenoid Taraxanthin, Stigmasterol, Rutin, Sitosterol, Heptakosan, Tannins.
Healing properties of Coltsfoot:
- Anti-inflammatory action;
- Expectorant and liquefying phlegm;
- A diaphoretic action that reduces body temperature;
- Spasmolytic effect – relieves spasm of smooth muscles of internal organs;
- Enveloping and regenerating action;
- Hypotensive effect;
- Lipid-lowering effect;
- Antiseptic and antibacterial action.
Indications for use:
Coltsfoot has long been studied and used as auxiliary therapeutic agents in the treatment of the following groups of diseases:
- Inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system: bronchitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma;
- Acute respiratory diseases of a viral nature, including influenza. Diseases of the gallbladder, liver and bile ducts, pathology of the digestive tract, urinary system, stomatitis;
- Hypertension, atherosclerosis, inflammation of superficial veins of the lower extremities;
- Diseases of the skin and its derivatives: burns, furuncles, purulent wounds, inflammatory rash, erysipelas, diathesis, scrofula, allopecia (hair loss).
Instructions for use:
Tea
For one tsp. of dry flowers take 250 ml of boiling water, pour the raw materials and cover, let it brew for 10 minutes. Used in cough, and also helps to dissolve sputum and its excretion. Take twice a day for 100 ml.
Infusion
- Promotes the recovery of the body;
- Reduces high blood pressure;
- Reduces cholesterol formation;
- Helps to remove the spasm of the muscles of the internal organs with cholecystitis, gastritis;
- Used as a soft expectorant;
- Helps with sweating feet, armpits, faces;
- Effective with inflammation of veins, wounds, furuncles, abscesses, shingles;
- Helps cure inflammatory processes in the throat and intestines.
For 1 tbsp. of dry leaves brew 250 ml of boiling water, brew about 40 minutes. Orally: take three tablespoons before meals four times a day. External use: rub the affected area or make compresses with infusion. Coltsfoot is effective in the treatment of the throat.
Broth
1 tbsp. of dry the raw materials (leaves), pour 250-300 ml of boiling water and cook on a low heat for about 10 minutes, cover and leave for half an hour. Used in diseases of the respiratory system and ENT pathology, scrofula, general weakness. Drink one tbsp. before meals three times a day.
Strong broth
Take 2 tablespoons of dry raw Coltsfoot and dioecious nettle, pour with boiling water (300 ml), cook for about 10 minutes on low heat, filter and cool. Effective with oily scalp and hair loss.
Applications
The fresh leaf of the plant in a gruel-like condition is applied to sterile gauze to a problem area (corns, erysipelas, inflammatory foci on the skin, inflamed veins).
Inhalation
Take 1 tbsp. of dry leaves and flowers, add 200 ml of boiling water, cover with a towel and breathe. Accelerates recovery with bronchopulmonary pathology. Do not inhale with increased body temperature.
Fresh juice
Fresh juice is effective in the treatment of infectious rhinitis. Squeeze out juice and put one or two drops in each nasal passage 3 times a day. Also, juice treats acne -lubricate the affected skin 3 times a day.
Syrup
Freshly squeezed plant juice is mixed with powdered sugar in a ratio of 2:1. Place in the refrigerator. Helps in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia. Take 1 tbsp. five times a day before meals.
Foot baths
Two handfuls of dried raw Coltsfoot brewed in 2 liters of boiling water, leave for 5 minutes and take a bath for 20 minutes without filtering the raw materials. Treats acute respiratory infections.
Alcohol infusion
Coltsfoot broth is diluted with vodka in a ratio of 4:1. Wipe your skin with 3-5 times a day. Used for the treatment of pustular lesions of the skin, furuncles, acne.
Powder
Dry leaves of the plant are ground into a powder, which is used:
- for oral intake: 1 gram three times a day, wash down with hot milk. Helps in the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, respiratory system;
- externally: inflamed areas are sprinkled 2-3 times a day. It is effective in diathesis, sweating of feet, erysipelas, furunculosis.
Compresses
Fresh leaves of the plant are poured with hot cream and let it soften.
- Helps prevent mastitis at the first signs;
- Reduces cough.
Contraindications:
Healthy people should not take Coltsfoot for longer than 4-6 weeks. The plant has some contraindications. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and can not be used in:
- Pregnancy;
- Breastfeeding;
- Severe liver disease;
- Individual intolerance.
Adverse Reactions:
Today, many people use natural methods of treatment without prior consultation with a doctor, examination, an accurate diagnosis and believe that medicinal plants are safe and does not have side effects. However, folk remedies are not subjected to modern research, and there is no reliable information dangers of Coltsfoot
Any medicinal plant has a complex composition, and most of them contain microdoses of toxic, toxic compounds that affect the liver and have carcinogenic properties. With overdose or prolonged use, a person can notice the signs of poisoning.
Coltsfoot is considered to be a relatively safe plant, but it can be consumed only in small amounts and in a short course, as the cumulative effect can provoke the growth of malignant tumors. In overdose, the following symptoms and side effects can occur: nausea, vomiting of abdominal pain
Warnings:
The healing properties of the plant have been thoroughly studied, and their effectiveness has been repeatedly confirmed. However, despite this, Coltsfoot decoctions and infusions can be recommended as one of the components of treatment, but not as the main treatment. Before using any herbs for treatment, be sure to consult a doctor.
Posted by RxMed