Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara

Botanical Information

Common Names: Coltsfoot

Botanical Name: Tussilago farfara

Family: Asteraceae

Description: Low-growing perennial with bright yellow dandelion-like flowers that appear in early spring before the hoof-shaped leaves. Leaves are soft beneath and somewhat rough above.

History & Tradition

• Classic European respiratory remedy; the Latin name “Tussilago” refers to cough.
• Used traditionally for spasmodic coughs, bronchitis, and irritation of the respiratory tract.
• Coltsfoot symbol painted outside apothecaries in parts of Europe as a sign of a healer’s shop.

Cultivation & Parts Used

Parts Used: Leaf and flower (leaf most common).

Growing Conditions: Poor soils, roadsides, disturbed ground; prefers temperate climates.

Collection: Leaves harvested after flowering once fully developed; flowers gathered early in spring.

Doctrine of Signatures

The soft, felted underside of the leaves echoes a soothing lining for rough, irritated lungs. Its early spring appearance suggests support for respiratory systems after winter’s cold and damp.

Medicinal & Energetic Properties

Constituents

Mucilage, flavonoids, tannins, trace pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), inulin.

Actions

Demulcent • Expectorant • Antispasmodic (respiratory) • Soothing to irritated mucosa.

Taste & Energetics

Taste: Mild, slightly bitter, somewhat mucilaginous

Energetics: Moistening • Cooling • Soothing

Tissue States: Dry • Irritated • Spastic in the respiratory tract

Internal Uses

• Dry, irritating coughs.
• Bronchial irritation, hoarseness, and sore lungs.
• Historically, chronic bronchitis and smoker’s cough (modern use is more cautious).

Topical Uses

Leaves used as a poultice for inflamed skin or minor wounds; occasionally in baths for irritation.

Combinations

• With Mullein and Licorice for soothing cough blends.
• With Thyme or other expectorants (if used) for deeper congestion.

Homeopathic Remedy

Themes correspond to spasmodic coughs, irritation, and difficulty expectorating.

Flower Essence

For those afraid to “exhale” emotionally, helps release held tension and grief from the chest.

Essential Oil

Not used as an essential oil.

Culinary Use

Historically used in small amounts in candies and lozenges for coughs; not a general food herb.

Safety Notes

• Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can be hepatotoxic in sufficient doses or prolonged use.
• Many modern herbalists restrict internal use to short-term, low-dose applications or avoid entirely, especially where safer alternatives exist.
• Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and with any liver disease.

This information is educational and not a substitute for medical advice.

Spiritual & Ritual Uses

Helps “open the chest” emotionally and energetically, supporting the ability to sigh, weep, and let go of what has been carried too long. Associated with early spring renewal of breath and voice.

Astroherbalism

Planetary Rulership: Mercury and Moon

Zodiac: Gemini, Cancer

Signature: Gentle moistener of lungs and voice at the threshold of spring.

Chakra Correspondence

Heart & Throat: Breath, voice, feeling, and expression.

Cosmic Ray

Pale Yellow–Green Ray: Early renewal, breath of spring, gentle relief.

Alchemy & Spagyrics

Salt (Body): Encodes patterns of soothing, coating, and softening of irritated surfaces.

Sulfur (Soul): Soul-fire that dissolves rigidity in chest and voice, allowing gentle warmth.

Mercury (Spirit): Carries moistening, calming influence into breath and subtle channels.

Spagyric Purpose: To soften harshness, ease coughing (literal or metaphorical), and restore smoother flow of breath and feeling.

Magical & Spiritual Properties

Soothing • Voice of spring • Release • Breath of relief.

Tarot Correspondence

Four of Swords: Rest, recovery, a pause to heal and breathe.

Keywords: Soothing • Lung Demulcent • Early Spring • Release • Rest