The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies The top of the leaf is smooth, while the underside is covered with white downy hairs. Leaves at the top of the plant are green, while those closer to the ground are white or grayish in color. These basal leaves are 2 to 10 inches (5 cm to 25 cm) long and serrated on the edges. The single bright yellow flowers are a little over a half inch (1.25 cm) across and look like dandelion. Its small white root spreads underground.
Eczema, Sores, and Skin Inflammations: The flowers, prepared as a poultice, are helpful applied directly onto skin inflammations, sores, and eczema.
Warning: Coltsfoot leaves contain small amounts of toxic compounds, which are destroyed by cooking. Eat raw leaves sparingly and boil, drain, and rinse leaves when using as a vegetable.
Edible Use: Coltsfoot flowers and leaves are edible. They are good in salads (in small amounts only). Young leaves are also used in soups or stews. To use the leaves as a vegetable, wash them after boiling to get rid of the bitterness. Dried or fresh leaves and flowers can be used to make an aromatic tea.
Medicinal Use: Both the leaves and flowers have medicinal value, although the flowers have the highest concentrations of medicinal compounds. People rarely use the roots, but they have medicinal properties as well. This plant has anti-inflammatory and anti-tussive properties, due to it containing mucilage and tannins.
Asthma, Whooping Cough, Laryngitis, Coughs, Emphysema, and Bronchial Congestion: The botanical name Tussilago means ‘cough dispeller,’ and it does the job well. Use it to relieve congestion and expel mucous. It is especially useful for chronic coughs like emphysema and whooping cough. Coltsfoot Decoction, taken throughout the day, is used as a remedy for chronic coughs of all causes.
Coltsfoot Leaves, Bogdan, CC by SA 3.0
Recipes. Coltsfoot Decoction. 1-ounce coltsfoot leaves, 1-quart (1 Liter) water, raw honey, as desired. Combine the coltsfoot leaves and water over mediumhigh heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and boil the decoction until the water is reduced by half. Cool and strain the decoction to remove the leaves. Sweeten the decoction with raw honey as desired. It can be bitter, depending on the age of the leaves. Drink 1/4 cup at a time, throughout the day or as needed to provide relief. cm to 35 cm) long and 2 to 8 inches (5 cm to 20 cm) wide. The leaf blade of this plant is widest near the
False Hellebore, Indian Poke, Veratrum viride There are several plants that go by the name of False Hellebore or Indian Poke. This is Veratrum viride, not Phytolacca acinosa or other pokeweeds. It is in the Lily Family. It is found in pastures, meadows, open woods, damp soils, and swamps. It grows throughout most of eastern and western North America (not mid).
Identification: False Hellebore is an erect perennial herb that grows 2 to 7 feet (0.6m to 2.1meters) tall. The leaves are broad on the lower part and spirally arranged on the stout stem. Leaves are 4 to 14 inches (10 174
