COLTSFOOT
Tussilago far fara
COMMON NAMES: Coughwort, horse hoof, bull’s foot, foal’s foot, ginger root.
FEATURES: Naturalized in the United States from Europe, Siberia, and East Indies. Although found
growing in many areas, from the seashores to elevations of nearly 8,000 feet, coltsfoot prefers certain
clay soils. This low succulent perennial has smooth green leaves, with a white and cottony underside, that
appear in March. They do not appear until the large daisy-type, bright yellow flower has withered; they
are 5–8 inches long and like a colt’s foot in shape.
The stem is covered with a loose cottony down. The whole plant is used, more especially the leaves,
and they should be collected when they have almost reached maturity. Collect the root after the fullness of
the leaves, the flowers as soon as they open. When dried, all three have a faintly herbaceous, bitter taste.
MEDICINAL PART: Leaves.
SOLVENTS: Water, diluted alcohol.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Emollient, demulcent, expectorant, slight tonic, pectoral.
USES: For congestion of the pulmonary system, especially if inclined to consumption. For these symptoms
horehound, ground ivy, marshmallow, and elder flower have been successfully combined with coltsfoot,
making up half of the compound. However, the juice of coltsfoot by itself is effective in troublesome
coughs. The botanical name Tussilago means “cough dispeller”; this includes coughs, asthma, whooping
cough—in short, a chest and lung expectorant.
DOSE: Steep 1 teaspoonful of the leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for ½ hour; drink ½ cupful at bedtime,
hot or cold, or a mouthful three times a day, or administer according to case, up to 2 cupfuls daily. Of the
tincture, 1–2 fluidrams.
EXTERNALLY: The leaves, bruised or steeped in hot water, may be applied to the chest for relieving fever,
feebleness, and easing the heart, also for open wounds to draw out the injurious matter. Use as a poultice
in scrofulous tumors. For sore feet, external bruises, fevered swelling, and skin irritations, apply fresh
and often.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINICAL: Tincture of the whole plant for corpulence, plethora.
RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE: Mat i matcheha (mother and stepmother) is Russia’s name for coltsfoot. Folk
medicine: The leaves and flowers are first-aid home treatment for colds, acute and chronic lung