Coltsfoot

Coltsfoot was the choice of remedial plants by early herbalists for respiratory difficulties and was either given as a tea or prepared as smoke.  In fact, it is a predominant ingredient in British Herb Tobacco (combined with lavender, rosemary, chamomile and other herbs) used to treat asthma and bronchitis.  A syrup can also be made from the flower stalks to treat stubborn coughs.

The presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids lend antibacterial, carcinogenic and hepatotoxic properties.  Polysaccharides produce an anti-inflammatory effect.

Of coltsfoot, Culpepper wrote, "The fresh leaves, or juice, or syrup thereof, is good for a bad dry cough, or wheezing and shortness of breath. The dry leaves are best for those who have their rheums and distillations upon their lungs causing a cough: for which also the dried leaves taken as tobacco, or the root is very good. The distilled water hereof simply or with elder-flowers or nightshade is a singularly good remedy against all agues, to drink 2 OZ. at a time and apply cloths wet therein to the head and stomach, which also does much good being applied to any hot swellings or inflammations. It helpeth St. Anthony's fire (erysypelas) and burnings, and is singular good to take away wheals."

In France, depictions of coltsfoot flowers often adorned the entrance ways to apothecary shops.

Constituents:  Mucilage (7%), tannins, acidic polysaccharides, triterpenes, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, flavonoids.  The leaves contain steroids, including beta-sitosterol and campesterol.