Coltsfoot is a perennial plant whose golden flowers are easy to confuse with dandelions. They bloom and wither before the leaves appear. The leaves themselves are wide, shaped like hooves. The seeds of the plant are soft, hair-like tufts so dearly loved by birds that use them when building nests. If we talk about medicinal value, then it is concentrated in the leaves and inflorescences.

Chemical composition

The chemical composition of coltsfoot is notable for its diversity. Combinations of organic elements inside the plant have anti-inflammatory, enveloping and analgesic effects.

The most important constituents of coltsfoot leaves are:

• Saponins - have a stimulating effect;
• Sitosterol - an ethyl group in the composition of the substance helps to normalize the level of cholesterol in the blood;
• Tannins - give the plant an astringent taste and suppress the negative effects of microorganisms;
• Mucus - has a softening effect;
• Bitter glycosides - improve appetite and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Acids - ascorbic, gallic, tartaric and malic;
• Carotenoids are indispensable assistants in the prevention of cancer;
• Inulin is a dietary fiber consumed by beneficial bifidobacteria;
• Dextrans - regulate the process of blood circulation;
• Essential oil - a huge amount of ether is squeezed out of young plants.

Among the unique medicinal ingredients coltsfoot inflorescences includes flavonoids, tannins and steroid compounds.

Beneficial features

The mucus in coltsfoot is the source of the plant's most significant properties - anti-inflammatory and emollient. Once inside the shell of the respiratory tract, medicinal leaves form a special mucous layer that protects against the negative effects of bacteria, viruses and cold.

Women use coltsfoot herb to create cosmetics. Poultices and compresses based on inflorescences and leaves of the plant help to get rid of and eliminate skin defects. The addition of dry raw materials inside shampoos contributes. Medicinal tinctures from the herb coltsfoot help regulate the menstrual cycle with profuse bleeding.

Application in traditional medicine

The coltsfoot has been used in traditional Chinese and Russian medicine for centuries. The plant helps in the treatment of bronchitis, rheumatism, tuberculosis, relieves swelling and inflammation, and is also an effective means of preventing cancer.

The healing properties of coltsfoot are concentrated in the leaves and inflorescences. It is these parts of the plant that are dried to create medicinal preparations and extracts that are sold in pharmacies.

Before using traditional medicine based on coltsfoot, it is very important to consult with your doctor. Pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as people with serious liver diseases, should be extremely careful.

For respiratory diseases

In the case of a dry persistent cough, coltsfoot has a softening effect. The mucous part of the plant creates a special film inside the throat that suppresses irritation.

To prepare an expectorant for dry cough, pour one tablespoon of dried coltsfoot herb with half a liter of boiled water. Put the mixture on fire and leave covered for five minutes, then strain and let cool. Decoction taken twice a day, a glass and preferably before meals.

The following recipe is suitable if a small child is worried about a dry cough during an exacerbated bronchitis. It is not worth preparing a large amount of medicine at once. The process does not take much time, so it is better to make frequent small portions.

For cooking decoction to treat bronchitis you will need the following herbs (proportions are equal):

• Coltsfoot;
• Melissa officinalis;
• Peppermint.

Infuse the ingredients poured with boiling water for three hours, then strain. Add natural honey to improve the taste. Ready medicinal decoction take a few tablespoons three times a day before meals.

For cardiovascular diseases

With mild heart ailments, decoctions based on coltsfoot help. For cooking tincture that lowers blood pressure, take two tablespoons of dry coltsfoot and one glass of boiled water. Pour boiling water over the collection and leave to infuse for half an hour. Strain and take one glass twice a day, preferably before meals.

At pain in the heart and nervous excitement recommend an infusion of coltsfoot leaves. To prepare the medicine, take one spoonful of dried leaves and pour boiling water over them. Leave the decoction for half an hour. Drink a quarter cup three times a day, preferably before meals.

For diseases of the urinary tract

In pharmacies, there are often curative fees based on coltsfoot, intended for the prevention of urinary tract diseases. With edema and diseased kidneys, herbal decoctions have a diuretic effect. Folk remedies also help get rid of hepatic colic.

For prevention of bladder diseases you can mix dry leaves of coltsfoot, lingonberry and bearberry (a tablespoon of each herb). The resulting mixture is brewed for half an hour, and then drunk like regular tea.

To prepare decoction to relieve swelling that accompany diseases of the urinary tract, you should pour one tablespoon of the coltsfoot collection with a glass of water, boil the solution for a minute, leave for about an hour, and then strain. Take half a glass of medicinal decoction three times a day, preferably before meals.

For skin diseases

In addition to using medicinal herbs internally, coltsfoot can be used to create external remedies for skin diseases and blemishes.

Options outdoor use coltsfoot:

• burns;
• Erysipelas;
• boils;
• Furuncles;
• chronic ulcer;
• Mastitis;
• Mastitis;
• Dandruff and hair strengthening.

For the manufacture of remedies for mild burns from coltsfoot you will need to prepare a special medicinal decoction. Take a teaspoon of dry herb plants, pour two glasses of water and boil the resulting solution for half an hour. Let the tincture cool, and then soak a piece of soft cloth in it. Put the finished compress on the damaged area for about five minutes. Do compresses several times a day until the burns go away.

To cook at home ointment for the prevention of inflammation of the skin, take the following ingredients (in equal parts):

• Linden flowers;
• Coltsfoot;
• Pharmacy chamomile.

Mix all the ingredients, pour them with hot water and leave for five minutes. Then add some sunflower oil and knead the mixture. Lubricate the problem area of ​​​​the skin with the resulting ointment and leave for twenty minutes, then rinse with warm water.

For hair loss

Coltsfoot is not in vain added to shampoos and hair conditioners. Vegetable proteins, acids, essential oils and mucus, working together, help restore the structure of the roots, normalize the natural growth of damaged hair, add shine and elasticity to it.

To prepare natural hair rinse, you will need dry collections of burdock and coltsfoot. Mix the herbs in equal amounts, cover with water and boil in a water bath for half an hour. Use the resulting medicinal decoction as a rinse after regular shampooing your hair.

Baldness mask can be prepared from nettle leaves, coltsfoot and milk. Take two tablespoons of each plant, pour a glass of hot milk and leave to infuse for about half an hour. Treat dry hair with the resulting product, hold the mixture on your head for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

Application for weight loss

There are many products and herbal preparations for weight loss on sale, but not all of them meet the individual requirements of each organism. The choice of the optimal means is sometimes very difficult. The surest way to lose weight is to create your own daily routine, play sports and choose natural aids.

To prepare weight loss aid and normalizing metabolism, you will need:

• 10 grams of coltsfoot;
• 80 grams of blackberry leaves;
• 10 grams of birch leaves.

Mix all the above ingredients, pour a liter of water and boil the resulting mixture for ten minutes. Take a glass of decoction twice a day before meals. Tincture helps to reduce appetite and normalize metabolism. However, remember that this is an additional aid to weight loss, in addition to using it, you must monitor your diet and exercise regularly.

Features of use during pregnancy

Unfortunately, coltsfoot-based internal remedies are not recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers. The plant contains alkaloids. These substances change the composition of mother's milk and adversely affect the health of the child. Also, alkaloids can terminate a pregnancy. They penetrate the placenta and destroy the fetus.

Do not take decoctions based on this plant during pregnancy. Use of coltsfoot herb during pregnancy causes miscarriage or premature birth with a stillborn baby.

Due to serious harm during pregnancy, coltsfoot herb is banned for free sale in some countries, such as Germany and Australia. Only in rare cases and under the supervision of a doctor is it possible to use the plant externally. These points include the treatment of skin defects, burns and acne. Also, pregnant women can use the herb to strengthen hair and eliminate dandruff.

Contraindications and harm

The healing properties of the plant are praised by many, but not everyone knows about the side effects of coltsfoot. The most dangerous component of flowers is alkaloids. They are especially worth avoiding for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Do not use decoctions based on coltsfoot in the following cases:

• Serious liver disease;
• Pregnancy;
• Lactation;
• The age of the child is up to two years;
• Any problems with the gallbladder;
• Sick kidneys;
• Allergic reaction;
• Special cases of individual intolerance.

You also need to be careful about the dosage of medicinal drugs. It depends on several factors, such as age, health status and the presence of chronic diseases. To date, there are no scientifically proven data that would establish the maximum effective amount of coltsfoot in each case.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

It is unlikely that there will be at least one person in the world who has never heard of such a medicinal plant as coltsfoot. Moreover, for sure, many of you have already managed to resort to the help of this herb. Mother and stepmother is a truly miraculous plant that was known to mankind many centuries ago. Even such world-famous people as Hippocrates, Dioscorides, Pliny and many others turned to him for help. Coltsfoot belongs to the category of those plants that have found their wide application not only in folk, but also in traditional medicine. What is a mother and stepmother, and what are the useful properties of this plant, medical board site (www .. If you really trust traditional medicine, then this article is especially for you.

plant description

First, a few words about the plant itself. Coltsfoot is a perennial medicinal plant of the Compositae family. This plant has very beautiful golden yellow flowers that attract the eyes of almost all passers-by. Growing coltsfoot everywhere. Most often, this plant can be seen on hills, slopes, in ravines, wastelands, along river cliffs. It is also worth noting that almost all parts of this plant are used both in folk and traditional medicine. Especially popular are the leaves of coltsfoot.

Beneficial features

And now back to the main thing and try to answer the following question - what are the useful properties endowed with coltsfoot?
In fact, the beneficial properties inherent in this plant are not just a lot, but a lot. coltsfoot inherent diaphoretic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, disinfectant, tonic and many other properties. The coltsfoot owes all these useful properties to the healing components that are in its composition. These are inulin, and mucous substances, and carotenoids, and tannins, and organic acids, and sterols, and so on and so forth.

In the fight against what diseases can you resort to the help of coltsfoot?

This plant has found its wide application in the fight against almost all diseases of the respiratory tract. The mother-and-stepmother will perfectly cope with a runny nose, and with a cough, and with a fever, and with hoarse, and with suffocation. You can not do without the help of this medicinal plant and in the fight against festering wounds, toothache , myositis, epilepsy , cystitis , enteritis , malaria , arthritis , pleurisy .

Heart diseases , kidney and bladder diseases, bronchial asthma , tuberculosis , gastric and duodenal ulcers , gastrointestinal diseases- all this is also an indication for the use of coltsfoot. This plant is quite often used in cosmetology. The fact is that coltsfoot tends to strengthen the hair structure, as well as get rid of dandruff. If you are concerned about various disorders of the nervous system, coltsfoot will come to the rescue in this case too.

Recipes

Right now we will bring to your attention several recipes, which include coltsfoot. Read them as carefully as possible and they will be able to help you if necessary. To begin with, we will tell you how the decoction of this medicinal plant is prepared. So, take five grams of coltsfoot leaves, fill them with one glass of boiled water and leave to boil on fire for ten minutes. After that, the broth is left for another fifteen minutes, filtered and taken one tablespoon in the morning, afternoon and evening.

If you are tormented by a runny nose, use the fresh juice of this plant. You just need to squeeze the juice and drip it into your nose, two to three drops into each nostril.

To prepare a tincture from this plant, you need to take equal amounts of coltsfoot flowers and alcohol. Fill the flowers with alcohol and leave them in a dark place for a week. This kind of tincture is taken thirty to forty drops three times a day. It is very important that the coltsfoot tincture is taken shortly before meals.

When using coltsfoot recipes for medicinal purposes, do not forget to follow

At the first sign of any ailment, many of us first of all rush to the pharmacy for saving pills, drops or ointment. But nature itself surrounds us with plants with healing properties, and only our ignorance or unwillingness to know does not make it possible to take full advantage of these gifts. To paraphrase a well-known phrase, it can be confidently stated that “saving the sick person is the work of the sick person himself” or his relatives. We will talk about one medicinal "straw" from a huge stock of natural pharmacy - a coltsfoot plant.

Description

At the end of March or in April, immediately after the snow melts and the first spring warmth, golden-yellow flowers collected in baskets appear on wastelands, on river banks, on the slopes of beams, on embankments of railway tracks. At first glance, they look like dandelions, but it is not possible to confuse them, because they are smaller. And most importantly - rather thick and long stems are not surrounded by leaves that appear almost at the end of flowering.

They are a bit like grape or burdock leaves: the same rounded, with jagged edges, two-color. The dark green upper side is cool to the touch, while the underside, covered with thick white hairs, is warm. It is because of this feature that the plant got its name coltsfoot. As it grows, this two-sided green mass covers the surface of the earth with a dense carpet. These distinctive features distinguish this plant and will not allow it to be confused with others when harvested.

Did you know? On the coat of arms of the Norwegian commune of Nannestad, three bright yellow coltsfoot flowers are depicted on a green background.

Chemical composition

The Latin name of this plant is tussilago, since in its composition a significant part belongs to the bitter glycoside tussilyagin. In translation, this means: tussis - cough, ago - to drive away, that is, "dispelling cough." In addition, this green medicine contains essential oils, vitamin C and carotene, inulin, phytosterols, flavonoids, and mucus. The coltsfoot is able to accumulate copper, potassium, selenium, bromine and silver.

Healing properties

Useful properties are inherent in both the leaves and the flowers of the king-grass (as this plant is also called).

• They are characterized by pronounced medicinal qualities: disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic. And this ability is fixed in Latin already in the name of the flower.
• With a hysterical cough, coltsfoot acts envelopingly on the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. It is the presence of mucus in the green mass that enhances the softening effect on the irritated surface of the larynx and bronchi.
• With bronchitis and inflammation of the lungs, sputum discharge is facilitated, as this green doctor quickly relieves spasm and liquefies it.
• Thanks to the substances contained in the grass, it has a wound-healing and disinfecting ability in relation to the mucous membranes and skin.
• Its use can stimulate appetite and have an anti-inflammatory effect on the stomach and intestines.
• Coltsfoot is known for its effectiveness in strengthening the immune system, with a decrease in vitality, after an illness or for preventive measures.
• She is an excellent "beautician" for strengthening hair roots and an assistant in solving dandruff problems.

Important! All drugs with internal coltsfoot are contraindicated for the treatment of children under 2 years of age.

What heals

As a healing and restorative drug, the king-grass has been used for centuries. Its most famous and traditional use is in the treatment of bronchitis, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and lungs. It is also indispensable for seasonal colds as a diaphoretic and disinfectant. A leaf applied to the forehead with the green side will relieve the heat and reduce the headache.

Its therapeutic qualities show themselves well in the treatment of tonsillitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis. Possessing antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, this plant helps with disorders in the liver and gallbladder, with gastritis and stomach ulcers, with inflammation of the bladder, pyelo- and glomerulonephritis, with various problems of the small and large intestines.
With various dental problems - carious lesions of the teeth, stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease. Coltsfoot reduces pain, removes inflammation and acts as an antiseptic. This herb perfectly accelerates the healing of various wounds, abrasions, burns, relieves purulent infections and furunculosis.

Treatment with drugs

For the treatment of the above diseases, various parts of this plant are used, differently prepared for use.

Did you know? Flowers coltsfoot with the accuracy of a barometer will indicate the deterioration of the weather. They hide their golden heads in fluffy collars ahead of time.

Important! The flowers of the plant that were used in the process should not be thrown away immediately. Based on these flowers, it is possible to prepare a new portion of tincture or tea.

• For colds, it is recommended to take dry leaf powder"Green Doctor" The dosage is simple: three times a day, a third of a teaspoon, drinking plenty of water. Gargle up to six times a day, using 10 g of dry powder, poured with 300 ml of boiling water, infused for half an hour and filtered. An excellent remedy for relieving inflammation of the oral mucosa.
• After preparing the juice from the king-grass, you can put into action the remaining In case of herpes zoster, dermatoses, this slurry is distributed on the skin, covered with paper for compresses and wrapped in a warm scarf or scarf. Such compresses from medicinal leaves are advised to be carried out three times a day for no longer than half an hour.

Recipes fees with mother and stepmother

The beneficial properties of coltsfoot can be greatly enhanced when combined with other herbs.

Collection and storage

When harvesting medicinal plants, one of the important points is the collection of environmentally friendly and high-quality raw materials. Naturally, useful herbs growing along roadsides, in places for walking dogs or grazing animals, in cemeteries, should not be used to treat people. For this purpose, it is necessary to choose areas of land that are remote from busy habitats, not littered.

Did you know? Coltsfoot is popularly called fire salad. And this reflects another of its features. The flower grows well on former bonfires, where there are no competing plants. And ash as a fertilizer contributes to its rapid growth.

To start collecting flowers of this wonderful healer should be in early spring after the start of mass flowering. Choose a dry fine day for this. In no case should you pluck flowering twigs, because you can inadvertently uproot the entire plant. Use scissors to cut at the base of the "baskets" - inflorescences, clean, without brown spots. Since the leaves on the plant appear in June, the time of their collection also shifts accordingly. Green mass should not be too young, but overripe greens will bring little benefit. The leaves are cut to half the petiole. Pay attention to the absence of brown spots on both sides.
Both flowers and leaves are dried under the same conditions: shading, a well-ventilated room, a canopy or attic, the raw material is laid out in a thin layer on paper. To make it convenient to store and then use the leaves in the future, they can be pre-cut into strips. Dried herbs should be stored in paper bags, cardboard boxes, or closed glass jars. For convenience, you can sign the container so as not to accidentally confuse the stocked potion. It is recommended to store it for 2 years, in the future the useful value is lost.

Side effects

Each drug, whether it is pharmacological preparations or herbs recognized by traditional medicine, has two sides of its effect on the human body: useful and dangerous. Under certain conditions, the use of a particular drug can cause different side effects in different people. The same situation can arise with the use of coltsfoot. After all, it also contains substances toxic to the liver.
And if you overdo it in the dosage or duration of ingestion, then instead of the expected benefits, you can cause enormous harm. The maximum duration of treatment with this plant is 6 weeks. In case of an overdose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes may occur. In this case, the use should be stopped immediately, and then you should consult a doctor. It is important to consult with your doctor about the appropriateness of such a decision before using this herb.

Contraindications

Preparations and fees containing coltsfoot should not be used during pregnancy and lactation. Due to the toxic substances contained in it, deforming changes in the liver can occur, and there is a very high risk of losing a child. During the lactation period, these substances can penetrate into breast milk and cause serious harm to the health of the baby. This green medicine can cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to ragweed, marigolds, chrysanthemums.

Taken in large quantities, the king-grass causes an increase in pressure and can neutralize the effect of drugs of reverse action. Therefore, hypertensive patients should change it to a medicinal potion of a similar effect. In case of serious liver diseases, fire salad can provoke a real “fire”: deterioration, exacerbation of chronic diseases, irreversible changes in the tissues of this organ.
In the presence of hepatoproblems, the "green doctor" is not applicable. Medicines that slow blood clotting, such as ibuprofen, heparin, or aspirin, can interact with coltsfoot and make it worse. As a result, internal bleeding may occur. The conclusion is obvious: the simultaneous ingestion of these drugs is unacceptable. Of course, nature is rich in plants, whose useful qualities are simply priceless for the prevention and treatment of many diseases.

But if you decide to use them, then this should be guided by the medical commandment: “Do no harm!” You should always weigh the pros and cons, consult a doctor, arm yourself with information. Only then will the mother and stepmother give you the necessary help, as she points out to those who want to dig a well, to the place of the closest water to the surface.

Update: October 2018

Coltsfoot (in the description of the composition of dosage forms you can find the Latin name Tussilago) belongs to a monotypic genus of herbaceous perennial plants from the Asteraceae family.

It blooms with yellow flowers, located on low flowering shoots, even before the blooming of broad leaves, smooth on one surface, and rough on the other. Flowering season is early spring (April).

Flowers and leaves have medicinal properties. A concentrated extract is obtained from plant materials, and also used in dried and fresh form.

It grows in Eurasia, Eastern Siberia, North Africa and North America, in the mountainous areas of Central Asia and South Siberia. Favorite places - areas free of turf, near water bodies, in meadows, glades, along roads.

The chemical composition of the plant

The active chemical composition determines the medicinal properties of coltsfoot:

Healing properties mother and stepmother

Indications for use

Raw materials and herbs of coltsfoot, the properties of which have long been studied, are used as auxiliary therapeutic agents in the treatment of the following groups of diseases:

• Inflammatory diseases of the respiratory organs: bronchitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma.
• Acute respiratory diseases viral nature, including influenza.
• Diseases of the gallbladder, liver and biliary tract, pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, stomatitis.
• CVS diseases: ischemic heart disease, hypertension 1-2 degrees, atherosclerosis, inflammation of the superficial veins of the lower extremities.
• Diseases of the skin and its derivatives: burns, boils, purulent wounds, inflammatory rash, erysipelas, diathesis, scrofula, alopecia ().

Treatment with coltsfoot drugs

Tea

For one tsp dry flowers, take 250 ml of boiling water, pour raw materials and cover, let it brew for 10 minutes. Helps with coughs and also helps to thin sputum and excrete it. Take 100 ml twice a day.

Infusion

• Promotes the restoration of the body during the period of illness;
• Reduces high blood pressure;
• Reduces cholesterol formation;
• Helps relieve muscle spasm of internal organs with cholecystitis, gastritis;
• Used as a mild expectorant;
• Helps with sweating feet, armpits, face;
• Effective for inflammation of the veins, wounds, boils, abscesses, shingles;
• Helps to cure inflammation in the throat and intestines.

1 tbsp dry, pre-chopped leaves, brew 250 ml of boiling water, leave for about 40 minutes, strain. Inside: take three tablespoons. before meals four times a day. Externally wipe the affected areas or make compresses with infusion. In the treatment of the throat, rinsing is effective, and for the treatment of the intestines, enemas with infusion are made.

Decoction

1 tbsp dry raw materials (leaves) pour 250-300 ml of boiling water and boil over low heat for about 10 minutes, cover and leave for half an hour. Helps with diseases of the respiratory system and ENT pathology, scrofula, general weakness. Drink one tbsp. before meals three times a day.

Strong decoction

2 tbsp. dry raw materials of coltsfoot and dioecious nettle are poured with boiling water (300 ml), boiled for about 10 minutes over low heat, filtered and cooled. Effective for oily scalp and hair loss. Rinse the hair with the resulting decoction after washing.

Applications

A fresh leaf of the plant is rubbed to a mushy state and applied on a sterile gauze to a problem area (corns, erysipelas, inflammatory foci on the skin, inflamed veins).

Inhalations

1 tbsp brew a mixture of dry leaves and flowers with boiling water in a volume of 200 ml, cover with a towel and breathe over the infusion. Accelerates recovery in bronchopulmonary pathology. You can not do inhalation at elevated body temperature.

Fresh Juice

Effective in the treatment of infectious rhinitis. Juice is squeezed out of fresh leaves of the plant and one or two drops are instilled into each nasal passage 3 times a day. Acne is also treated with juice, lubricating the affected skin 3 times a day.

Syrup

• Recipe 1. Freshly squeezed plant juice is mixed with powdered sugar in a ratio of 2:1. Stored in the refrigerator. Helps in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia. Take 1 tbsp. five times a day before meals.
• Recipe 2. Fresh leaves with a layer of 1 cm are placed on the bottom of thick-walled metal enameled dishes, a layer of sugar 1 cm is poured on top. The layers are repeated until the dishes are completely filled. Close with a tight lid and insist 3 weeks in the cellar or refrigerator. Leaves and sugar should become a homogeneous green mass, which is mixed with honey (2: 1 ratio). Used for the treatment of tuberculous caverns: 1 tbsp. three times a day before meals.

Foot baths

Brew two handfuls of dry raw materials of coltsfoot with boiling water in a volume of 2 liters, leave for 5 minutes and take a bath for 20 minutes without filtering the raw materials. Contribute to the treatment of SARS.

Alcohol infusion

Broth coltsfoot diluted with vodka in a ratio of 4:1. Wipe the skin with infusion 3-5 times a day. It is indicated for the treatment of pustular skin lesions, boils, acne (see).

Powder

Dry leaves of the plant are ground into a powder, which is used:

• for oral administration, 1 g three times a day, drink hot milk. Helps in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system;
• externally: sprinkle inflamed areas 2-3 times a day. Effective in getting rid of diathesis, sweating feet, erysipelas, furunculosis.

leaf compress

Fresh leaves of the plant are poured with hot cream and the raw material is allowed to soften.

• Helps to warn at its first signs (applied warm to the mammary gland).
• Reduces the severity of cough (warm leaves are placed on the chest, covered with a towel on top).

Mother-and-stepmother contraindications

Healthy people should not take coltsfoot for longer than 4-6 weeks in a row. The healing properties of coltsfoot are known to everyone, and few know contraindications. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (toxicity has not been fully studied), therefore it is contraindicated in:

• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding;
• severe liver disease;
• Individual intolerance.

In Germany, restrictions have been placed on the sale of mother and stepmother after one case of misuse of this plant. The nursing mother drank tea with her mother and stepmother, which led to the death of the baby from liver damage.

Side effects

Today, many people turn to alternative methods of treatment without first contacting a doctor, examination, establishing an accurate diagnosis and believe that if you take a medicinal plant, it is safe and does not have side effects. It's a delusion. Folk remedies are not subject to modern research, there is no reliable information about the harm and benefits of mother and stepmother and other medicinal herbs.

Any medicinal plant has a complex composition, and most of them contain microdoses of poisonous, toxic compounds that affect the liver and have carcinogenic properties (see). With an overdose or prolonged use of such drugs, the development of a slow poisoning of the body is possible.

So, coltsfoot is considered a relatively safe plant, but it can only be consumed in small quantities, in a short course, since the cumulative effect can provoke the growth of malignant tumors. In case of overdose or long-term use, the following symptoms and side effects are possible:

• nausea, vomiting
• stomach ache

Procurement and storage

• Leaves and flowers are collected separately.
• Leaves are suitable for harvesting in early June. The most valuable are the leaves of medium maturity (young and overripe should not be plucked). They are dried in the shade, in a ventilated place, spread out on paper or fabric in 1 layer.
• Flowers, or rather yellow baskets without a stalk, are harvested in April-May, dried in the same way as the leaves.
• Store dried raw materials in cloth or paper bags in a dark, dry place. Leaves can be used for 3 years, and flowers - 2 years.

Dietary supplements and herbal remedies with coltsfoot

• Dry leaves of coltsfoot;
• Syrup with coltsfoot and plantain from Evalar, Natur Product, Green Doctor;

Our coltsfoot is already blooming. We took some pictures in the forest. Such bright yellow flowers in the midst of a gray forest. True, there is green grass here and there. Spring pleases us with its warmth. It's already so warm that you can meet people in T-shirts. Walking through the forest, my eyes were attracted by yellow flowers, which, like lights, burn in the rays of the bright sun. I stepped closer. This coltsfoot is a medicinal plant that is widely used in folk medicine. Grass coltsfoot is a perennial plant. It blooms in spring, and later green leaves appear. The plant blooms on wastelands, slopes, hills, above the cliffs of rivers. Medicinal raw materials are flowers and leaves, which are used in breast preparations and as an expectorant. I want to talk today about the medicinal properties and use, as well as the contraindications of the plant.

Coltsfoot flowers are somewhat similar to dandelion flowers, but you can't confuse them. The coltsfoot has smaller flowers than the dandelions. The flowers of the coltsfoot are yellow, collected in baskets, and when ripe they turn into fluffy heads.

The leaves of the plant are rounded, toothed. The top of the leaves are dark green and smooth, while the bottom is warm and covered with many white hairs. Touching the green side of the leaf, you can feel the cold, and touching the inside - warm. And that's why the plant got its name.

The mother-and-stepmother plant is always held in high esteem by us. His mother prepared it, and if necessary, brewed it for coughing, with hoarseness, with bronchitis. We had a natural and natural medicine. Our coltsfoot was blooming in the garden, so we didn't have to go far for her.

Preparation mother-and-stepmother.

The flowers are harvested in dry weather. Easy to cut with scissors. The leaves are harvested in June (cut or plucked), cut off with the lower part of the petiole.

Do this carefully so as not to "pull out" the plant from the root. Both flowers and leaves are chosen not damaged, without rust and stains.

For treatment, we used only leaflets. It is very important to prepare beautiful and undamaged leaves.

Dry raw materials in the shade or in a well-ventilated area. Lay out in a thin layer on a cloth or paper. Leaves can be crushed, so it will be more convenient to store and use them.

It is advisable to sign on a jar, box or bag, “coltsfoot leaves”, so as not to confuse this plant with another medicinal herb. Store finished raw materials in cotton bags, cardboard boxes or glass jars. Shelf life 2 years. But every year we prepared a new portion of raw materials.

Grass mother and stepmother. Medicinal properties

The leaves of the coltsfoot are used for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, in the form of infusions, decoctions. The leaves and flowers contain vitamin C, carotene, essential oils, tannins, glycosides.

• Leaves have expectorant, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant healing properties.
• This plant is used for diseases of the oral cavity. In diseases of the oral cavity, a decoction of coltsfoot is used as a rinse.
• The coltsfoot loosens the phlegm. The plant is used for hoarseness, cough, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Acts enveloping when coughing.
• The emollient and anti-inflammatory property of the herb is due to the content of mucus in the leaves and is enhanced by polysaccharides.
• Coltsfoot drugs relieve spasm, disinfect, help to remove sputum.
• Due to the presence of substances contained in the plant, coltsfoot stimulates the healing of the skin and mucous membranes.
• An infusion of leaves is used even in the absence of appetite, as well as inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

The use of infusion or decoction of coltsfoot facilitates the course of the disease. It is a good remedy for coughs and colds, as well as for strengthening the immune system.

Coltsfoot, use in folk medicine

In folk medicine, the leaves of the coltsfoot are used mainly for coughs, as a diaphoretic, expectorant.

Surprisingly, in Latin, the plant means "cough-repellent". It is not without reason that coltsfoot preparations are used to treat coughs. Coltsfoot increases the volume of sputum by thinning and facilitating its discharge. In addition to coltsfoot, they are used for coughing.

Infusion of coltsfoot leaves. As an expectorant, as well as for coughing, with hoarseness, coltsfoot leaves are brewed. To do this, pour a spoonful of grass with a glass of boiling water. Infuse for about 20 - 30 minutes, filter and drink a spoonful 3-4 times a day.

A decoction of the leaves of the mother-and-stepmother. In a glass of water, you need to take a spoonful of crushed grass leaves and boil for five minutes in a water bath. Insist. Strain and bring boiled water to the original volume. Take a spoonful every two hours.

For better sputum discharge in children and adults, along with taking medicinal infusions and decoctions, chest massage should be done for better separation and discharge of sputum.

These are the beautiful coltsfoot flowers blooming in our forest. Yellow flowers, like a little sun, among the dullness of the spring forest.

If a fresh green leaf of coltsfoot is applied to the forehead, then fever and headache can be relieved. Only you need to apply it with the green (cold) side.

A decoction to separate sputum in bronchitis. To prepare the broth, you need to mix in a saucepan a spoonful of coltsfoot, a spoonful of raspberries, a spoonful of anise fruits and a spoonful of lime blossom. Pour everything with a liter of water and boil for about 5 minutes over low heat. Set aside and let it brew for 15-20 minutes. Strain and take half a glass 3-4 times a day.

With colds and viral diseases, as well as at high temperatures, doctors recommend drinking more. You can drink tea from viburnum, raspberries, linden, chamomile, cranberries. To taste, you can add natural honey to the drink.

Coltsfoot has a general strengthening effect on the body. Coltsfoot preparations can be an excellent adjunct to drug treatment.

Contraindication coltsfoot

Remember that compliance with dosages when using an infusion or decoction of coltsfoot is very important. A lot doesn't mean good. It is also better not to use drugs for more than 3-4 weeks.

• The use of coltsfoot during pregnancy and lactation is contraindicated.
• With individual intolerance or allergy to the plant.
• And long-term use of infusion or decoction of the plant in large doses negatively affects the liver.

As for children, opinions differ here, according to some sources, children should not be given drugs from coltsfoot up to 2 years, according to others - up to 12 years. So, if you decide to treat a cough with herbal coltsfoot, consult your doctor.