Tussilago farfara

Tussilago farfara                                                    Common name:  Coltsfoot
Family: Compositae

Parts used:  Leaves, flowers

Constituents:  Flavonoids (rutin, hyperoside, isoquercetin), mucilage (8%), pyrrolizidine alkaloids (0%-0.015%), tannin

Medicinal actions:  Expectorant, demulcent, anti-tussive, anti-catarrhal

Medicinal use: Tussilago is expectorant, sedative and demulcent, most useful in debilitated and chronic cough conditions.

Pharmacy: Infusion 1-2 tsp/cup water, 1 cup BID-TID. Tincture: (1:5), 2-5 ml TID.

Toxicity: Pyrrolizadine alkaloids are considered hepato-toxic. Avoid long-term or excessive use.