Coltsfoot: tussilago farfara Hedgerow herb: fairly common Parts used: Dried flowers and leaves Gathering: gather

the flowers before they have fully opened during March and April. The leaves, which appear later than the flowers, are best collected for drying between May and June. Fresh leaves can be used throughout the summer and into the early autumn. Actions: Anti-catarrhal, Anti-spasmodic Anti-tussive Demulcent Diuretic Expectorant Indications: The anti-inflammatory effects of coltsfoot make it useful for all respiratory conditions. This plant can be used to ease the symptoms in cases of bronchitis (acute or chronic), whooping cough, asthma and irritating coughs of all kinds. Coltsfoot is useful in the treatment of sinusitis because of its anti-catarrhal action. This herb is soothing when taken for throat conditions when it can be combined with red sage for increased potency. The diuretic and demulcent effects of coltsfoot make it useful in cases of cystitis. Externally the leaves can be used as a compress to treat boils, ulcers or abscesses. Preparation and dosage: Infusion: 1-2 teaspoons of the dried flowers or leaves to a cupful of boiling water infused for about 10 minutes, which should be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take 2-4 ml of tincture three times a day. Folklore, History and Kitchen Witch: Coltsfoot is a herb of Venus it is also sacred to the Irish goddess of fire and hearth Brighid, hence magically speaking, it

is connected with love and passion, so if its love you wish to attract - you could do worse than carry a sachet of coltsfoot on your person. Before the introduction of matches the fluffy cottony down that is found under the leaves of coltsfoot was dipped in saltpetre and used as tinder, this practice seems to support the plants link to the fire goddess Brighid. The high esteem with which this herb was held in the 19th century can be seen by the choice of Coltsfoot above all others to advertise the whereabouts of the local apothecary. The use of easy to recognise symbols was paramount in the days before widespread literacy and it was the leaves of coltsfoot that were painted on the doors of the local apothecarys shop and house. From this evidence it can be reasoned that Coltsfoot was universally accepted as an effective medicine in the 19th century. The generic name tussilago comes from cough-wort the Latin tussis being a cough. This herb, once known as British tobacco, was recommended by some of the earliest known herbalists. Dioscorides, Galen and Pliny the Elder are amongst a great number of respected authorities both ancient and modern who have recommended the smoking of this herb as a cure for lung complaints. Modern science has borne out the reasons for the plants long-standing reputation and has, once more, proven what we already knew. We can now repeat with confidence and the backing of modern science that coltsfoot combines a soothing expectorant effect with an anti-spasmodic action and that this combination is enhanced by the plants high levels of Zinc a mineral that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.