The Artistic Farmer

Tussilago farfara. Compositae                                                                  

Found on sunny banks and in waste-places. One of the earliest flowers in springtime. The flowers appear before the leaves. The leaves, almost round, are grey-green, paler on the underside and with thick downy “web”” on the upper surface. They are rather fragrant and retain their scent after drying. The flowers are wheel-form of bright yellow and richly honey-scented. The stems are scaly. The name is derived from tussis (a cough ) and ago ( to banish ) and refers to the power of this plants to banish coughs. The whole plant is medicinal.

Use, internal:

One of the supreme pectoral herbs. Cure of coughs, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis. Coltsfoot gives relief in whooping cough and spasmodic cough. Will expel mucus from throat and lungs. It is also a useful fever herb; the peasants say that it comes in time for the spring fevers.

Use, external:

The pounded leaves make a good poultice; apply to swellings and inflammations. The leaves can also be applied to the lung area as an external pack thusly: Soak cotton in a Standard Brew of the leaves and apply hot to the pulmonary region. The dried leaves are popular amongst the Gypsies as a smoking “tobacco”. Use the dried, powdered leaves as you would use snuff, sniffing up the nostrils to remove obstructions of the nasal passages and to relieve sinus infections.

Dose:

Make a Standard Brew and take a wineglassful three times a daily. In coughs, take spoonfuls of this brew sweetened with honey every few hours.