What does it help with
- Cough, bronchitis
- Upper respiratory infections
- Healing skin ulcers and eczemas
- Gum inflammation
Active compounds
Mucilage, inulin, tannins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (small amounts).
Mucilaginous infusion coats mucous membranes and reduces irritation. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids limit long-term internal use.
How and when to harvest
Harvest periodFlowers: February–April. Listy: May–June.
Plant partsFlowers or leaves
DryingImmediately after harvest, shade, 35 °C
Shelf life1 year
Preparation methods
TeaSyrupCompressBath
Pro tip: Harvest coltsfoot in spring — it flowers before leaves appear. Collect leaves separately in summer.
Recipes
1 Coltsfoot tea for cough ▾
2 teaspoons dried leaves or flowers pour 250 ml water, steep 8 minutes. Drink 3× a day.
2 Coltsfoot syrup ▾
Cover fresh leaves with sugar 1:2 in a jar. After a week, syrup will form.
3 Compress for eczema ▾
Strong decoction z leaves applied gauze to the affected area 2× a day.
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6 more recipes in the Herbarium
Coltsfoot tincture · Combination with ribwort plantain · Coltsfoot syrup with honey · Inhalation · Gargling · Coltsfoot with thyme
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