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These health guides are no substitute for proper diagnosis and treatment from your own health professional.
Coltsfoot
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Tussilago farfara
This plant, a very robust creeping perennial with yellow dandelion-like flowers, is normally found growing wild on wastelands and by the sides of streams. There are 15 species of coltsfoot found growing in Europe, North Africa and Asia. Of these, T.farfara is most commonly used for herbal remedies.
Coltsfoot was used to be smoked as a cough remedy by Native Americans.
This is a tonic herb. The leaves of this herb can be eaten raw in salads or in cooked dishes and soups; and the flowers can be used to make wine. Colltsfoot leaves are used in curing pipe tobaccos as well as as an ingredient in herbal tobaccos. It has a bitter-sweet, licorice-like flavour.
Both the flowers and the leaves are used medicinally, and they are full of vitamin C. The plant also contains mucilage, thus it acts to protect the mucous membranes if ingested, and is useful in relieving gastrointestinal complaints.
It soothes irritated tissues, reduces inflammation and relaxes spasms while stimulating the immune system.
It is said to be an excellent remedy for catarrh, fevers, all lung infections, asthma, and spasmodic cough.
Taken internally, it treats diarrhoea, and applied externally, it is used for burns, sores, skin ulcers, and insect bites.
Western herbalists tend to use primarily the leaves to treat inflammaory conditions.
The Chinese emphasize the use of the flowers as an expectorant, which is good for chest complaints such as bronchitis, cold and flu and laryngitis, whooping cough and excess phlegm.
In some countries, coltsfoot is subject to legal restriction. Safe to be taken at recommended dosage.
References
- Tierra M.The Way of Herbs. New York. Pocket Books. 1990.
- Black P. The Illustrated Herbal. Hamlyn. 1987
- Boxer A, Black P.The herb Book. Reed International Books Limited. 1980.
- Burch E (N.D.).The Complete Herbal Companion.Harper Collins 2000
- L’Orang D.The Herbal Healing Secrets of the Orient.Prentice Hall 1998
- Tierra M.The ways of Chinese Herbs.Pocket Books. 1998.
- Liu HC.Chinese System of Food Cures.Pelandok Publication.1989.
- Dr.Hong YH, PhD, Hsu CS, PhD. Commonly Used Chinese Herbs.Oriental Healing Arts Institute, 1980.
- Dr.Hong YH, PhD. How to Treat Yourself with Chinese Herbs.Oriental Healing Arts Institute. 1993.
- Murray M, Pizzorno J.The Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicines. Prima Pub. 1998.
- Tierra L.The Herbs of Life.Freedom, CA. Crossing Press. 1992.
- Dr.Walker M.Olive leaf extract. Kensington books. 1997
- Kloss J, Promise M.Back to Eden, revised version. Mass Market Paperback. 1989.
- Prevention Magazine (editors).The complete book of natural & medicinal cures. Health books. Berkley Publishing Group, 1996.
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