Western Coltsfoot | Herbal Benefits, Uses and Actions | Harmonic Arts

Join Herbalists Yarrow Willard and D'Arc Ravenhill as they hunt down and discuss the Western Coltsfoot. A great herbal ally for coughs, asthma, lung congestion and more...


Western colts foot (petasites frigidus) - Asteracea family
This is not the same plant as traditional coltsfoot (tussilago farcara) which has yellow flowers.This one has slightly purple flowers and is more closely related to butterbur (petasites hybridus). Though its actions are more similar to those of the traditional coltsfoot.

Leaves are palmately divided with lobes coarsely teeth, they have wooly undersides and grow up 12-24 inches tall
Western Coltsfoot is a tough and considered slightly invasive plant that loves to grow on the sides of roads in ditches and other disturbed areas that it can keep its feet wet.
It grows all up and down the West Coast and interior BC This plant is not endangered, some even consider it a weed..

The Flowers are best gathered in the spring,
Leaves May through August
Roots Spring or Fall

Medicinal Actions: anti-spasmodic, nerve sedative, demulcent. soothing expectorant, anti-inflammatory slightly diuretic and anti-tussive.
Tuss - means to cough

For coughs, asthma and congestion, the tea can be drank four times a day or a teaspoon of syrup taken 4-5 times a day

Coltsfoot cough syrup - 1 cup of fresh leaves and 2 cups of water and honey, cooked down until becomes thick.

It has also been used for throat, lung, bile duct, stomach, skin, muscles and joint issues.

It is considered pectoral strengthening, anti rheumatism, helpful for spitting up blood and tuberculosis.
Good at removing cold and dampness from the body

Fresh root poultice can be made for bruises strains joint pain or skin irritation

Coltsfoot often been combined in smoking blends. It has a nice taste some say is similar to tobacco and has been claimed to help with asthma.

The flower essence has been used for tentativeness or holding back from engaging fully in life. feeling afraid of not having enough energy to learn new things and new situations. This could be a great thing for those who are exhausted with or afraid of the evolutionary process we are currently going through on this planet.

*Caution does need to be taken, not to use large dosages for long periods of time. This may be liver damaging from the alkaloid content of this plant.

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