Tussilago, Coltsfoot, Kuan Dong Hua 款冬花 Coughwort Farfara, Ungula Caballina (‘Horses Hoof’) Kuan Dong Hua (Flower) (TCM)

Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Herbarum Vivae Eicones, Otto Brunfels, 1530

Kohler’s Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887

Coltsfoot
(Photo by Andreas Trepte) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name: Tussilago farfara Parts used: Leaf; Flower; rarely the Root Temperature & Taste: Warm, dry. Pungent, sweet. Warm and Moist. (Avicenna) Classifications: 2U. SUPPURATIVE 3K. EXPECTORANT.    3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE 4d. PECTORAL.    4k. ARTHRITIC Preparers and Purgers of Phlegm TCM: Q. Stop Cough and Wheezing

Coltsfoot Flower (Adam, 2016)

Uses:

1. Benefits the Lungs, Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough and Wheezing:
-important medicine for all types of Cough, Wheezing and Lung diseases
–Bronchitis, irritating coughs, Whooping Cough
-Asthma, Pneumonia, Pleurisy
–Emphysema, Silicosis and the onset of Tuberculosis
-Lung abscess with blood and pius in the sputum (Zhen Quan)
-useful adjunct in Lung Cancer
-smoke was inhaled for Cough and Shortness of Breath (Dioscorides; also in TCM)
-advocated as beneficial for smokers

2. Clears Wind-Cold:
-Colds, Influenza, acute Fever, especially when with Cough
-acute Sore Throat, Throat Inflammation
-‘convulsions and epilepsy with chills and fever’. (Shen Nong Ban Cao)

3. Clears Phlegm, Resolves Swellings:
-Commended by some for Scrofula and Lymphatic nodes.
-Lung Abscess (Dioscorides)

4. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-occasionally used for Cystitis, Burning Urine, Gravel, Stone

5. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
-the root was used to expel a Dead Fetus (Dioscorides)
-Amenorrhea (Eclectics)

6. Externally:
-Scrofula, Nodes (poultice)
-Earache (oil as ear drops)
-poultices with Honey for Erysipelas and Bruises
-green leaves stamped with Honey is a good application to all inflammations and swellings.
-“Its leaves facilitate rupture of carbuncles and dissolve them in initial stages” (Avicenna)
-the leaves annointed with honey are applied to quickly heal Wounds.
-applied to Burns (Dioscorides)
-“Incorporated in the drugs prepared for strengthening the Eye-sight”. (Avicenna)
-Hydatids (cystic tumors caused by Tape Worms).

Dose:

The Leaf and Flower may be given in similar doses. It is best combined with Honey and/or Licorice for the Lungs. Larger doses are only used for short periods (1–2 weeks). Safe daily dose of the leaf and flower is generally given at 6 grams.
LEAF or FLOWER or WHOLE HERB in DECOCTION: 3–9 grams
POWDER: 1–3 grams
TINCTURE (1:5): 2–4mls

Preparation:

1. Scorched Coltsfoot Flower:
  Used for Cold-Phlegm. It is given in the same doses as the Unprepared Flower; (TCM)
2. Honey Stir-fried Coltsfoot flower:
   Better to moisten and strengthen the Lungs. It is taken in slightly larger doses.
3. Licorice-prepared Coltsfoot:
  Soak the flowers in Licorice decoction, then remove and dry. It has similar effects to the Honey-prepared flower.
4. Alcohol-prepared Coltsfoot:
  Sometimes in the West the leaves were sprinkled with Brandy, then dried. This makes it warmer, and more effective to clear Phlegm and open the airways.

Correctives:

1. Licorice
2. Apricot kernel (Xing Ren) can be used as its guiding drug. (TCM)

Main Combinations:

Coltsfoot & Licorice
Coltsfoot & Almond / Apricot kernel

1. Lung diseases in general:
i. cut the herb, mix with Pig lard and one Egg. Boil together in a pan and give to eat. Good for “all Griefs of the Lungs”, for Spitting Blood, and helps to fatten. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1595)
ii. Cotsfoot, Raisins, Licorice
iii. add Coltsfoot to Pectoral Decoction
2. Cough:
i. Coltsfoot flower decocted with Raisins (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
ii. Coltsfoot with Maidenhair and Licorice (as in Syrup of Coltsfoot)
iii. Coltsfoot with Licorice, Red Poppy flower, Aniseed (Pharmacopoeia Castrensis Borussica, 1823)
iv. Chronic Cough, Coltsfoot with Pennyroyal and Parsley
v. obstinate Cough, Coltsfoot with Ground Ivy, Licorice, Raisins, Almond, Cinnamon, Clove (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
vi. mix the flowers with a little honey, burn and inhale the fumes. (Su Song). Inhaling the fumes was said to have been effective in chronic cough (Li Shi Zhen)
3. Bronchitis:
i. Coltsfoot, Plantain
ii. Coltsfoot with Licorice, Mallow flowers, Thyme, Aniseed
4. Asthma:
i. Coltsfoot with Bitter Almond, Licorice, Maidenhair
ii. Coltsfoot with Mullein, Calamus, Asarum, Juniper berry
iii. Coltsfoot with Ephedra Ma Huang, Almond, Licorice (TCM)
5. Cold with Cough, Coltsfoot with Elder flower and Peppermint
6. Lung deficiency, Consumption:
i. Coltsfoot with Dates, Figs, Raisins, Licorice
ii. Coltsfoot, Almonds, Pine nuts, Raisins, Jujubes
iii. Coltsfoot with Asparagus root, Elecampane, Licorice
7. Lung Ulcers:
i. Coltsfoot with Melon seed, Rosemary, Borage, Violet
ii. Coltsfoot with Plantain and Comfrey
8. Lung Cancer:
i. Coltsfoot, Violet, Plantain, Herb Robert
ii. Coltsfoot, Bitter Almond, Comfrey, Black Nightshade, Licorice
9. Lung Abscess:
i. Colstfoot, Figs, Barley
ii. Coltsfoot with Barley, Hyssop
iii. Coltsfoot with Violet, Dandelion
iv. Coltsfoot with Hyssop, Figwort root
10. Pleurisy, Coltsfoot with Nettle, Camomile, Aniseed
11. Fever, Coltsfoot with Elder flower and Black Nightshade (equal parts of the Distilled Waters)
12. Gravel, Stone, Coltsfoot with Wormwood
13. Scrofula:
i. Coltsfoot, Hyssop, Balm
ii. beat Coltsfoot with root, mix with Linseed meal and form an ointmen (traditionally with Barrow’s Grease), and apply. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1595)
14. Smoking Blend for Asthma and Bronchitis, Coltsfoot with Thyme, Eyebright and Lavender

Major Formulas:

Decoction of Hyssop and Coltsfoot (Wirtzung)
Decoction to Strengthen the Lungs
Decoction of Horehound
Pectoral Decoction (London, 1650)
Syrup Against Consumption
Syrup of Coltsfoot Compound
Syrup for Asthma (Wirtzung)
Anti-Asthmatic Syrup (D’Aquin)
Syrup of Horehound (Fernelius)
Electuary of Coltsfoot Magisterial
Pectoral Powder
Ding Chuan Tang
Jiu Xian San

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy or Breastfeeding; use carefully in children
2. Avoid overdose; Should not be used long-term
3. Avoid in those with Liver disease

Toxicity:

The alkaloids in Coltsfoot have been shown to be hepatotoxic, and at least one compound is carcinogenic. Animals fed large amounts (32% of their diet for 4 days, followed by 16% for the remainder of the 600 day long trial) of Coltsfoot developed Liver Cancer, whereas 1 out of 10 receiving 8% Coltsfoot in their diet developed tumors, while none receiving 4% Coltsfoot developed tumors.

However more recent studies showed Coltsfoot does not cause damage to human chromosomes, and is therefore probably not carcinogenic to humans, at least in therapeutic doses. The toxic alkaloids are said to be destroyed by boiling. Older herbalists regularly gave Coltsfoot alone or in combination for months in chronic Lung complaints with no noted ill effects.

–A systematic review and quality assessment of case reports of adverse events for borage (Borago officinalis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale).
–Oral toxicity study of certain plant extracts containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Main Preparations used:

Distilled Water, Syrup, Conserve

1. Conserve of Coltsfoot:
i. Coltsfoot flower (1 part). White Sugar (2 parts). Beat.

2. Syrup of Coltsfoot:
i. fresh Coltsfoot flower (4 lbs.), Boiling Water (8 lbs.). Infuse 24 hours, express slightly and add White Sugar (twice the quantity), Dissolve. (Pharmacopoeia Gallica, 1818)

3. Distilled Water of Coltsfoot:
i. Coltsfoot flower (1 part), Water (3 parts). Distil 1½ parts. (Dispensatorium medico pharmaceuticum Palatinatus, 1764)

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• Extra Info
• Research
  

GENERAL / REVIEW –A review of the ethnobotanical value, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Tussilago farfara L. (coltsfoot). –Farfarae Flos: A review of botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. –[Studies on chemical constituents in the buds of Tussilago farfara]. –[Phytochemical and pharmacological research progress in Tussilago farfara]. ANTIBACTERIAL –Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Tussilago farfara (L.) essential oil from Quebec, Canada. ANTI-VIRAL –Flos Farfarae Inhibits Enterovirus 71-Induced Cell Injury by Preventing Viral Replication and Structural Protein Expression. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY –A review of the ethnobotanical value, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Tussilago farfara L. (coltsfoot). –Tussilagone, a major active component in Tussilago farfara, ameliorates inflammatory responses in dextran sulphate sodium-induced murine colitis. ANTIOXIDANT –A review of the ethnobotanical value, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Tussilago farfara L. (coltsfoot). –Study of Antioxidant Activity of some Medicinal Plants Having High Content of Caffeic Acid Derivatives. ANTIPLATELET –Antiplatelet Activity of Tussilagone via Inhibition of the GPVI Downstream Signaling Pathway in Platelets. ALLERGIC RHINITIS –Petroleum extract of Farfarae Flos alleviates nasal symptoms by regulating the Th1-Th2 cytokine balance in a mouse model of Allergic Rhinitis. –Tussilagone inhibits allergic responses in OVA-induced allergic rhinitis guinea pigs and IgE-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. ANTITUSSIVE –Discovering the Major Antitussive, Expectorant, and Anti-Inflammatory Bioactive Constituents in Tussilago Farfara L. Based on the Spectrum-Effect Relationship Combined with Chemometrics. –NMR based metabolomic comparison of the antitussive and expectorant effect of Farfarae Flos collected at different stages. –Antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory activities of four caffeoylquinic acids isolated from Tussilago farfara. –Metabolomic profiling of the antitussive and expectorant plant Tussilago farfara L. by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis. EXPECTORANT –Discovering the Major Antitussive, Expectorant, and Anti-Inflammatory Bioactive Constituents in Tussilago Farfara L. Based on the Spectrum-Effect Relationship Combined with Chemometrics. –NMR based metabolomic comparison of the antitussive and expectorant effect of Farfarae Flos collected at different stages. –Antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory activities of four caffeoylquinic acids isolated from Tussilago farfara. –Metabolomic profiling of the antitussive and expectorant plant Tussilago farfara L. by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis. ANTI-TUBERCULAR –Antitubercular activity of Arctium lappa and Tussilago farfara extracts and constituents. EFFECT ON MUCIN IN THE AIRWAYS –Tussilagone suppressed the production and gene expression of MUC5AC mucin via regulating nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway in airway epithelial cells. PROTECTS AGAINST LUNG INJURY –Tussilagone protects acute lung injury from PM2.5 via alleviating Hif-1α/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response.

PROTECTS AGAINST CIGARETTE INDUCED LUNG INFLAMMATION –The ethanol extract of flower buds of Tussilago farfara L. attenuates cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation through regulating NLRP3 inflammasome, Nrf2, and NF-κB. NEUROPROTECTIVE –A review of the ethnobotanical value, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Tussilago farfara L. (coltsfoot). –Neuroprotection against 6-OHDA toxicity in PC12 cells and mice through the Nrf2 pathway by a sesquiterpenoid from Tussilago farfara. –In vitro neuroprotective activity of sesquiterpenoids from the flower buds of Tussilago farfara. –Neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of the ethyl acetate fraction prepared from Tussilago farfara L. CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA –Effects of Flower Buds Extract of Tussilago farfara on Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats and Inflammatory Response in BV2 Microglia. COLITIS –Tussilagone, a major active component in Tussilago farfara, ameliorates inflammatory responses in dextran sulphate sodium-induced murine colitis. PSORIASIS –Tussilagonone Ameliorates Psoriatic Features in Keratinocytes and Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Lesions in Mice via NRF2 Activation. OSTEOPOROSIS –Tussilagone promotes osteoclast apoptosis and prevents estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis in mice. ANTI-DIABETIC –A review of the ethnobotanical value, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Tussilago farfara L. (coltsfoot). CANCER –Bioactive sesquiterpenoids from the flower buds of Tussilago farfara. BREAST –A Sesquiterpenoid from Farfarae Flos Induces Apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells through Inhibition of JAK-STAT3 Signaling. –Cellular Target Proteome in Breast Cancer Cells of an Oplopane Sesquiterpenoid Isolated from Tussilago farfara. COLON –Tussilagone Reduces Tumorigenesis by Diminishing Inflammation in Experimental Colitis-Associated Colon Cancer. –Tussilagone suppresses colon cancer cell proliferation by promoting the degradation of β-catenin. LIVER –Tussilago farfara L. augments TRAIL-induced apoptosis through MKK7/JNK activation by inhibition of MKK7‑TIPRL in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. LUNG –Structural characterization of a polysaccharide from the flower buds of Tussilago farfara, and its effect on proliferation and apoptosis of A549 human non-small lung cancer cell line. –Effects of Tussilago farfara L. Polysaccharides on the Expression of PD-1 (CD279) and PD-L1 (CD274) in Peripheral Blood and Tumor Tissue Lymphocytes in Mice with Lewis Lung Carcinoma. PREVENTS ANGIOGENESIS –Tussilagone Suppresses Angiogenesis by Inhibiting the VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway. SYNERGISM WITH CHEMOTHERAPY –Modification of the Myelotoxic and Antitumor Effects of Polychemotherapy by Polysaccharides from Tussilago farfara L. CORRECTS SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY –Correction of Damaging Effects of Cisplatin-Containing Polychemotherapy on the Intestinal Epithelium with Tussilago farfara L. Polysaccharides.