COLTSFOOT

Both leaves & flowers are used. 

LEAVES:

Coltsfoot leaves have more medicinal power than the flowers but flowers taste sweeter.

The young leaves are best gathered to dry in spring & summer, though they can be used fresh anytime they are found, all the way through the fall.
With its pectoral & anti-inflammatory qualities Coltsfoot is used successfully for bronchitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchial asthma & pleurisy, even at the onset of tuberculosis of the lungs.
For a persistent cough & for annoying hoarseness Coltsfoot tea with honey should be drunk very hot frequently during the day.
The fresh leaves, washed & crushed then the pulp applied as a poultice to the chest, help in pneumonia, in erysipelas & bruises with swelling & discolouration & even bursitis.
Compresses made from a strong decoction of the leaves of Coltsfoot are used for scrofulous sores.
The steam of Coltsfoot, from the flowers as well as from the leaves, should be inhaled several times a day in chronic bronchitis with fits & shortness of breath.( Face Steaming how to)
Swollen feet should be bathed in a decoction made of the leaves of Coltsfoot.
For asthma, damage caused by smoking & bronchitis, 2 to 3 tsp of freshly pressed juice of the leaves taken in a cup of herbal tea or warm milk, are beneficial.
 The freshly pressed juice from the leaves of the Coltsfoot is dropped into the ear to relieve earache.
It is perhaps the primary herbal remedy for asthma, for which it is smoked.
Externally,when crushed, the leaves & flowers of the plant may also relieve minor skin conditions such as insect bites, ulcers, rashes,  cuts, swellings & burns.
Initial phase pulmonary tuberculosis – warm tea is indicated, several times per day.
Lung diseases – place Coltsfoot leaves porridge on the chest. This also helps in cases of tissue lesions with different purplish swellings.
Chronic bronchitis & suffocating respiratory insufficiency – inhalations are recommended, 2-3 times per day. The effects will shortly be noticed.
Phlebitis – prepare an ointment of fresh crushed leaves & sour cream. Apply on the affected, inflamed areas & bandaged lightly with a cloth.
Flu, bronchitis, pulmonary conditions – the best remedy is Coltsfoot syrup, from which you take one tbsp 3 times per day. Warm tea is very useful especially in winters.

FLOWERS:

The flowers can be gathered in early spring before they have fully opened & dried in the shade.

Pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis – the flowers have anti-inflammatory & expectorant properties, which is why tea is successfully used in these cases. The tea has calming effects in coughs.

Pleurisy, bronchial asthma – Coltsfoot flower tea has beneficial effect.

In cases of cough & sore throat, a couple of cups of hot tea are very helpful.

Coltsfoot is also effective in treating other medical conditions, such as headaches, whooping cough, blockage of the nasal passage.

Coltsfoot flowers are also used in making poultice, which is applied for relief from skin complaints, for instance eczema, sores, inflammations & even ulcers.

PRECAUTIONS:

Coltsfoot should not be used by pregnant women, as it may be an abortifacient & the alkaloids seem to have a particularly harmful effect on the liver of the developing infant. 

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in the plant are potentially toxic in large doses, but have not proven toxic in the doses usually used to treat coughs. Still, it is recommended that Coltsfoot tea or syrup not be used for more than 4-6 weeks at a time.

Fever, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, jaundice, or pain in the abdomen may result from using this herb.

RECIPES:

Coltsfoot flowers & buds have a pleasant aniseed flavour, while the leaves can be quite bitter but rich in vitamin C. All can be used in soups & salads,or chopped into pancakes but the more common use is in tea for medicinal purposes.

Fresh juice – crush the freshly harvested fruits with an electrical crusher.

Tea preparation – 1 tbsp of dry flowers or flowers & leaves for 1cup of boiling water. Let it draw for 10 minutes. Drink this 3 times a day, as hot as possible.
Compresses – choose fresh leaves & crush them sort of a porridge which should be locally applied.
Feet baths – boil 2 handfuls of Coltsfoot leaves, filter them & make a warm feet bath for 20 minutes.
Inhalations – put 1 tbsp of dried leaves & flowers in boiling water & inhale the vapors covering the head with a towel. Repeat the process as many times as needed.

Coltsfoot Decoction

A decoction is different from a tea in that the leafs & roots of the plant are used. The mixture is allowed to “boil down”, thereby concentrating the effect of the herb. Generally, decoctions are made in larger batches & used throughout the day. In some instances, the resulting mixture may need additional water for palatability.

0,5l of water
50 g of fresh or dried Coltsfoot leaves
Combine ingredients in large pan & boil uncovered until liquid is reduced by half.
Strain herbs & refrigerate liquid until ready for use.
Serve cold or reheat when ready, adding additional water & sweetener to taste.

Coltsfoot syrup:

This will keep for months in the refrigerator. 1 tbsp taken 3 or 4 times a day is soothing for a hard, dry cough & helps to loosen it.

1 cup fresh Coltsfoot leaves
1 litre water
6-8 tbsp honey
Wash the leaves & pick away the stalks, drain & put the leaves & water in a saucepan, bring to the boil, cover & simmer for 30 minutes.

Cool a little, strain the liquid into a clean pan & add the honey, heat up & stir until the honey has melted, then boil steadily for 10 minutes.

Strain.  

Pour the syrup into bottles.Close airtight & store in the refrigerator.

Coltsfoot & the field daisy are both excellent blood purifiers.

They can be taken individually or mixed together. Mixing the dried flowers give it a very appealing aroma.

Add 2 tsp of dried herb to 1 cup of boiling water, cover & leave to infuse for 5 minutes.

Drink 1-2 cups per day – as hot as possible

BEAUTY:

Coltsfoot & Lavender Sunburn Remedy

This is great sunburn relief & also helps to prevent peeling as well.

0,5 l of water

2 tsp dried or fresh lavender flowers
2 tsp dried or fresh Coltsfoot leaves or flowers
Boil water & herbs together for 15 minutes & allow to cool.
Strain herbs & refrigerate until cold.
Soak cloth in cold mixture & apply to sunburn.
Repeat as necessary.

Coltsfoot Flowers Honey:

A couple of handfuls of fresh flowers

Honey
Fill a jar with Coltsfoot flowers & cover with honey.

Leave the jar on a sunny windowsill for 3 weeks to allow the honey to extract the constituents form the flowers. This is called a cold infusion using the warmth of the sun rather than heating the ingredients.

Strain into glass bottles & store in a cool dark place.

Dose: 3-4 tsp per day.

TOUCH OF MAGIC:

As it‘s bright yellow flowers are among the first to bloom after winter, coltsfoot may be seen at pagan rituals which welcome spring. The flowers can be worn in the hair & the stems may be used in wreathes.

In some celebrations, dishes made from the leaves of the plant are served.

In addition, some believe that the herb-when smoked or burned as incense-can increase psychic awareness & aid in divination.Can cause visions..

Add to love sachets & use in spells of peace & tranquility.