This early flowering perennial has a long history of treating respiratory problems – although it is not recommended for amateur use, due to incidences of liver damage. 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
- Early flowering herb for bees
- External anti-inflammatory properties
- Interesting herb to grow
- Low growing
With many old folk names such as ‘horse foot’ because of the shape of the leaves, coltsfoot was a much valued herb in the past, when cold damp conditions and smoke meant more frequent occurrences of persistent coughs and bronchitis.
Plant Care
- Height: 10-30cm
- Type: Hardy
- Aspect: Sun
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: Orange
- Flowering period: March - April
Coltsfoot is often found growing naturally on disturbed ground and is successful on most soil types, in full sun and partial shade. It spreads by thick rhizomatous roots which can travel underground and pop up elsewhere. The flowers emerge before the leaves and the seed when ripe floats away on small parachutes. It grows well in containers but you may find those tick roots growing out through the holes in the bottom and up the sides of the pot.
Usage
The spring flowers of coltsfoot appear before its leaves and the flower buds are the first to be harvested just before opening in the early spring. The flowers can be infused in honey to make a traditional soothing cough syrup.
The leaves are harvested in early summer and can be dried to make a herbal tea infusions.
Both the leaf and flower have a cooling and moistening quality that soothes the lungs and have been traditionally used to treat dry and irritating coughs.
(The internal use of coltsfoot has reduced in recent times due to its pyrrizodine alkaloid content).