Description: Coltsfoot is a perennial plant found in the U.S., Europe, and the East Indies in wet areas such as streambanks, in pastures, and on ridges or embank- ments, preferring loamy and limestone soils. The creeping rootstock sends up first the downy white, scaly flower stems topped by large yellow low flowers, then the cordate, dentate leaves from whose shape the plant gets its name. The leaves stand on long footstalks and are glabrous above and downy white beneath.Â
Properties and Uses: Astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant. Coltsfoot is one of the time-tried remedies for respiratory problems. Use it for coughs, colds, hoarseness, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pleurisy, and throat catarrh. For chronic bronchitis, shortness of breath, and dry cough, try smoking the leaves. Coltsfoot can also be used for diarrhea. The crushed leaves or a decoction can be applied externally for insect bites, inflammations, general swellings, burns, erysipelas, leg ulcers, and phlebitis.
