Lungwort (Common) Plant, Pulmonaria officinalis

and cover it to keep it warm. Let the tea steep for 10 to 15 minutes to absorb the medicinal qualities. Strain it, and drink warm several times daily. Lovage Tincture: 1½ cups of chopped lovage root and leaves, 1 pint (500 ml) 80 proof vodka or brandy. Place fresh or dried lovage in a glass jar and cover with vodka. Seal the jar tightly and place it in a cool dark place to brew. Allow the tincture to steep for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking the jar daily. Strain. Label and store it in a cool, dark place for up to 5 years.

Common Lungwort is a beautiful little plant that grows as a groundcover in partial shade on the forest floor, reaching about a foot in height. It has several different names, including Bethlehem Sage, Jerusalem Cowslip, and Pulmonaire. Native to Europe it is easy to cultivate in the garden. It is in the Borage Family. It is different than Lungwort Lichen, also in this book. The leaves look slightly like a diseased lung, giving it the name lungwort and indicating its use in treating lung diseases. Identification: The bright green leaves come to a point at one end. The leaf top is hairy and rough and leaves are covered with whitish or gray spots. Small bunches of flowers appear in spring. Each flower has 5 pinkish-blue or purple petals. Seeds ripen in late May or June. Edible Use: The leaves of lungwort are edible both raw and cooked. They have a mucilaginous and hairy texture that makes them less appealing when uncooked. Medicinal Use: Bronchitis, Asthma, Whooping Cough: Lungwort is effective in treating breathing problems such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and whopping cough. The leaves are soothing and expectorant. Their mucilaginous properties make them useful in treating sore throats. Lungwort relieves bronchial inflammations of the airways and helps the body expel mucus. I like tea made from the leaves and flowers for this purpose. A recipe for Lungwort Tea is below. Alternatively, grind the dried flowers and leaves into a powder to use in capsule form or use a Lungwort Tincture. Diarrhea and Digestive Complaints: The mucilaginous properties make the leaves effective in treating diarrhea and other digestive problems such as stomach pain, bloating, and indigestion. Diuretic and Detoxify: Lungwort is a mild diuretic, and thus helps bloating and relieving the body of excess fluids. This is also beneficial for helping remove toxins from the body. General Tonic for Health and Anti-Aging: Lungwort is rich in antioxidants and other compounds that are beneficial for health, slow down the aging pro-

cess, and protect the body from free radical damage. It is also an excellent astringent.

Wounds, Cuts, Hemorrhoids, and Skin

Diseases: Lungwort helps the skin heal from cuts and wounds and contributes to skin health. Apply it directly to the skin as a wash, compress, or poultice as needed for various skin conditions including burns, eczema, rashes, boils and ulcers, and to reduce and heal hemorrhoids. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and astringent.

Urinary Tract Infections, Cystitis, Kidney

Problems: Because of its diuretic properties and

Lungwort with flowers, TeunSpaans, CC by SA 3.0