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Mother and stepmother leaves useful properties. What is useful coltsfoot herb, its properties and methods of application. Wrinkle mask

Content

Water burdock, Kamchuzhnaya grass - it's all the same plant that is used in the treatment or prevention of various diseases. It has a strange structure of leaves: the top surface is hard, cold, and the bottom is warm, tender, hence the name. Grass coltsfoot - medicinal properties and contraindications for use, how to prepare healthy infusions, decoctions of leaves and flowers at home, find out further.

What is coltsfoot

Common coltsfoot (from Latin - tussilago farfara) is a perennial herbaceous grass. Feature - yellow small flowers tongue-like. They are collected in baskets. Leaves scaly, large. The top of the leaf is smooth, the bottom is pubescent, white tomentose. The plant reaches up to 20 cm in height. Basal leaves from afar look like burdock. Flowering begins in early spring, sometimes it can grow between unmelted snow.

Chemical composition

The herb is used in folk medicine, has rich chemical composition. Useful substances are found in fresh, dried leaves, flowers. With the help of medicinal raw materials of the plant, decoctions, infusions, teas and other remedies for the treatment of diseases can be prepared. Next, consider what is contained in the flowers, leaves of the coltsfoot:

  • mucus-polysaccharides;
  • dextrin;
  • bitter glycosides;
  • inulin;
  • organic acids;
  • vitamin C;
  • vegetable essential oils;
  • carotenoids;
  • sitosterol;
  • saponins;
  • tannins;
  • flavonoids.

Water burdock flowers contain the following beneficial substances:

  • triterpene faradiol;
  • tetraterpene taraxanthin;
  • arnidol;
  • heptacosan hydrocarbon;
  • stigmasterol;
  • sitosterol;
  • tannins.

pharmachologic effect

Dry leaves of coltsfoot have an expectorant, anti-inflammatory effect. Mucus and acids help to thin the viscous secretion that is secreted in the upper respiratory tract, improve sputum production. Flowers with plant leaves:

  • have a diaphoretic effect;
  • provide a mucolytic effect;
  • eliminate inflammatory processes;
  • speed up recovery.

Fresh leaves are used like plantain - they are applied to festering ulcers, festering wounds and abscesses. Plant effects include:

  • antihypoxic;
  • multivitamin;
  • antioxidant;
  • cleansing.

Healing properties

The medicinal properties of the plant have a beneficial effect on the skin and the human body. Fresh leaves are applied to sore spots, and infusions, decoctions, teas, and ointments are made from dry raw materials. Fresh juice is taken with inflammatory diseases. The herb has a medicinal effect on the adult and children's body:

  • improves immune system;
  • strengthens the body;
  • stimulates the functions of the endocrine glands;
  • provides diaphoretic, wound-healing effect;
  • expectorant effect;
  • stimulates the healing of wounds on the skin.

Indications for use

Useful properties of coltsfoot help to cope with many diseases. In the following list, you will find out what diseases the plant copes with. The above list is not complete, because many traditional healers hide coltsfoot recipes that help get rid of many diseases. Indications for the use of water burdock are as follows.

Respiratory diseases and viral infections

A person and a child can get sick with various respiratory infections throughout the year, and sometimes several times. These are acute infectious diseases that occur after the penetration of viruses into the human respiratory system. Inside, pathogenic organisms multiply, causing an inflammatory process. Coltsfoot - its medicinal properties and contraindications, will help cure diseases such as:

  • laryngitis;
  • bronchitis / pharyngitis;
  • Chronical bronchitis;
  • tracheitis;
  • bronchopneumonia;
  • pneumonia;
  • whooping cough;
  • bronchiectasis;
  • lung abscess;
  • SARS.

Diseases of the gallbladder and urinary tract

The kidneys are essential for normal functioning systems of the human body. Organs perform excretory, metabolic, osmoregulatory and other functions. If a person has a disease urinary tract or gallbladder, it negatively affects the functions of the whole organism. Coltsfoot helps to cope with many problems of these organs and systems:

  • chronic prostatitis;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • prostatic hyperplasia;
  • thrombosis;
  • embolism;
  • aneurysms;
  • prostate adenoma;
  • hemorrhoids;
  • urolithiasis;
  • kidney cyst;
  • arthritis;
  • cystitis.

Medicinal properties in cardiovascular diseases

Thanks to the systemic circulation, the functions of the heart are performed, vascular tone is maintained, blood circulation throughout the body. In diseases of the cardiovascular system in folk medicine, water burdock is used to treat. If the functions of the heart, vascular tone are impaired, this can lead to the fact that the organs and tissues will not receive the necessary amount of blood and oxygen, there will be:

  • ischemia;
  • myocardial infarction;
  • stroke;
  • angina;
  • arrhythmia;
  • peripheral vascular disease;
  • hypertension;
  • disorders nervous system.

Damage to the skin

The skin is an integral part of our body: it shows the “consequences” of nutrition, a person’s lifestyle. The skin is also vulnerable, like our other organs, to various pathogenic microbes. Subsequently, the skin may suffer from psoriasis, dermatosis, dermatitis. In folk medicine, coltsfoot copes with various diseases of the skin:

  • psoriasis;
  • dermatitis;
  • dermatosis;
  • dandruff;
  • hair loss;
  • abscesses.

For weight loss

A medicinal plant can be not only a panacea for all diseases, but also a means for losing weight. You can use coltsfoot to eliminate excess fat - it has a good effect on the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract). But this effect can be obtained only in combination with sports and proper nutrition. The plant is used as a stimulant, aid to the stomach and intestines.

Features of use for children

For children under two years of age, it is forbidden to use preparations based on water burdock without consulting a pediatrician. Sometimes mothers simply add decoctions of the plant to baths while bathing. Dry leaves and flowers of water burdock should not be brewed for children during a prolonged cough, diathesis or high body temperature, it is better to consult a doctor. Fresh leaves can be applied like psyllium for minor injuries.

For women

Water burdock can treat various problems that are associated with gynecology. The plant and its composition are able to have anti-inflammatory effects on the female reproductive system. During pregnancy, you can do enemas for douching or wash with decoction. In oncology, an ammonia solution based on elecampane root is used. Coltsfoot does not apply during lactation.

Grass coltsfoot– application

Water burdock is used to treat various diseases, but not everyone knows when, in what form and what dosage is needed for various ailments. Coltsfoot - medicinal properties and contraindications are described earlier in the article, further are recipes for the preparation of infusions, decoctions, fresh juice and other uses of a botanical plant, dosage for various diseases.

leaf infusion

With poor digestion, cholecystitis, inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, it is necessary to prepare the following infusion:

  • 20 g of the plant must be crushed, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour, strain through a cloth.
  • Reception - 1-2 tablespoons 4 times a day.

For cough, acute or chronic bronchitis, pharyngitis, bronchial asthma, hoarse voice, gastrointestinal diseases, an infusion of the leaves of the plant is prepared:

  • 4 tsp leaves are crushed, brewed in a glass of boiling water, insisted for half an hour.
  • Then the infusion is filtered, they drink a quarter cup three times a day.

Decoction coltsfoot

With bronchitis, a decoction is prepared in milk. To do this, take a tablespoon of chopped herbs, pour 500 ml of milk, add fresh lard(at the tip of a knife), cook in a sealed container for about 10 minutes. Then the remedy is filtered and taken at night, 50 ml each. With shortness of breath, take 15 grams of crushed dry leaves, they need to be brewed with boiling water (0.2 l), insist until cool, filter. Take a tablespoon every 3 hours.

For pneumonia, you need to take 3 tablespoons of chopped herbs, pour a liter of boiling water in an enamel pan. Then the infusion should be boiled in a water bath in a sealed container for about 15 minutes, leave to cool. After - the mixture is squeezed and filtered. Boiled water is added to the infusion, a tablespoon of honey is added, and half a glass is taken three times a day.

In case of bronchial asthma, a glass of dry leaves is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for half an hour and filtered. You need to take ¼ cup four times a day. With colpitis, you need to prepare everything for douching. To do this, take a tablespoon of crushed leaves, pour a glass of boiling water, insist for half an hour, strain, add boiled water again. Douching is carried out with a warm decoction twice a day.

Fresh Juice

Fresh juice is squeezed from the fresh leaves of the plant. They can cure a runny nose. To do this, you need to drip into the nose 2-3 drops in each nostril throughout the day. Effective juice during seasonal diseases. To increase the immunity of the body, you need to drink fresh juice from the leaves of the grass. For a day you need to drink 1-2 tablespoons of juice 4-5 times. The course of treatment is 1 week in a row for several seasons.

Tea

Tea can be bought in cloth or paper bags, or you can pick leaves from the garden. The botanical appearance of the plant, without any impurities that may be in tea packages, will have a beneficial effect on your body. Tea is taken for dropsy, suffocation, chest diseases, cough. For brewing, take a teaspoon of chopped herbs, pour boiling water (a glass), cover with a lid and leave for up to 10 minutes. The tea needs to be filtered. Use three times a day for a cup in hot form.

Alcohol infusion

Alcohol tincture is prepared from the flowers of the plant and vodka. It can help with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. For cooking, it is recommended to collect flower baskets immediately after they appear. The ratio of flowers and vodka is 1:1. The mixture is insisted for a week in the shade. Take 35-40 drops before meals. If there are remains of flowers in the blanks, you can make tea or a new alcohol tincture. Store in a thermos.

Powder

The powder is taken for colds, in the form of compresses for thrombophlebitis, for gargling. For colds, it is necessary to take a third of a teaspoon of the powder three times a day, washed down with plain boiled water. To rinse, take two tablespoons of plant powder, pour a glass of boiling water, insist for half an hour, filter. Then gargle with warm infusion 5-6 times a day.

Methods of application at home

Use water burdock at home in different types: baths, applications, compresses or inhalations for various respiratory diseases. To do this, it is not always necessary to boil the mixture. It is necessary to collect the leaves of the plant during flowering, when the grass contains a large number of useful substances. The following are home remedies.

Applications

Applications from the plant are used for polyarthritis, rheumatism, furunculosis, ulcerative lesions, infected wounds, scrofulous ulcers, calluses. To use coltsfoot, you need to collect fresh leaves of the plant, knead, squeeze. The mixture is spread on the affected area, wrapped with parchment paper, fixed with a bandage. Sometimes you can boil dry leaves with boiling water, cool, apply to sore spots.

Inhalations for respiratory diseases

During colds, inhalations are made based on chamomile and water burdock. Take a teaspoon of herb and 2 teaspoons of chamomile. Then pour 0.5 ml of boiling water, boil over medium heat, cool to a warm state. Next, they bend over the pan, cover their heads with a towel, inhale the steam for 7-10 minutes. At the same time, not only the symptoms of a cold disappear, but also acne with acne.

Foot baths

Foot baths not only help to cope with fatigue and "buzz" of the legs. The plant can help with varicose veins in the legs. Baths can be taken several times a week. The duration of the procedure is about 25 minutes. To prepare a bath, pour two full handfuls of leaves with boiling water, insist a little. Then the infusion is poured into a bowl with hot water.

Leaf compress for lactation

During lactation, the woman's body itself decides when breast milk collection is required, in what quantities. In order to reduce the appearance of milk, alleviate this process, to prevent the appearance of hardening and other pathologies of the breast, it is necessary to make compresses directly on the chest. To do this, take the washed leaves of water burdock, apply them with a shiny side to the chest. Coltsfoot - its medicinal properties and contraindications, is used very often for these problems or possible diseases.

Contraindications and side effects

Despite the usefulness of coltsfoot, its medicinal properties and contraindications also exist. This also applies to side effects. The use of this plant may not always bring the desired effect from the course of treatment. The instructions say that herbal products should not be taken:

  • with increased sensitivity to the components of the drug;
  • during pregnancy, lactation;
  • children under 12;
  • liver disease;
  • delayed menstruation;
  • eczema.

Overdose can cause symptoms side effects: fever (fever), pain, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, nausea. At the first sign, you should contact your doctor. At home, you need to wash the stomach with warm milk or activated charcoal in order to eliminate the symptoms of side effects.

As part of phytopreparations

Due to its qualities, coltsfoot - medicinal properties and contraindications, is used in various herbal remedies. Means contain vegetable raw materials. Coltsfoot drugs can treat various diseases respiratory system. Treatments include Broncholit, which contains sage, coltsfoot, Crimean rose, linden, mullein, elecampane root and other tinctures.

Discuss

Medicinal properties and contraindications of coltsfoot herbs

In the article we discuss coltsfoot - the medicinal properties and contraindications of the plant. You will learn how the plant is useful, what diseases it treats, and how to properly prepare a decoction or infusion to treat coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia and colds.

Coltsfoot (lat. Tussilágo) is a monotypic genus of plants in the family Asteraceae or Compositae (Asteraceae).

Common coltsfoot (lat. Tussilágo farfara) - perennial herbaceous plant, common in Eurasia, Africa, and also, as alien, in other parts of the world. An amazing feature of the plant is that the flowering period occurs in early spring, before the leaves bloom.

Mother and stepmother in Latin is translated as follows: the scientific (Latin) generic name tussilago, inis f comes from lat. tussis, is ("cough") and ago, egi, actum, ere ("to drive away") - and can be translated as "coughlegon". This name is associated with its medicinal use as a cough suppressant.

There are numerous hairs on the underside of the leaves, so the underside of the leaf evaporates water less than the bare top. The underside (mother) is warmer to the touch than the top (stepmother) - hence Russian name plants.

Other Russian names: two-leafed, Kamchuzhnaya grass, cold lapukha, mother grass, one-sided, king-potion.

What does it look like

The coltsfoot plant has a long, branched, creeping rhizome. Two types of shoots develop from the buds on the rhizome: flower-bearing and vegetative.

What does a coltsfoot look like? The plant has flowering, erect shoots, covered with ovate-lanceolate, often brown leaves. On each of the shoots, a single head develops before flowering, and after it a drooping head, consisting of a cylindrical single-row bedspread, a bare flat receptacle and bright yellow flowers of two types.

Medicinal plant coltsfoot has external flowers - female, reed. The flowers that are in the middle of the inflorescence are bisexual, tubular, and barren.

The fruit is a cylindrical achene, with a tuft of soft hairs. After fruit ripening, flower-bearing shoots die off.

Some time after the start of flowering, vegetative shoots develop, which bear several round-heart-shaped, angular, white-tomentose below, bare leaves with long petioles above. You can see in more detail how the plant looks like in the photo of coltsfoot. Appearance (photo) coltsfoot

Where does it grow

Coltsfoot grass is popular in Europe, Asia, Siberia, Africa and America. In Europe, it grows to Arctic Scandinavia.

Usually found in areas free of turf, on the banks of water bodies, slopes of ravines and landslides, often in areas subjected to anthropogenic impact - fields, wastelands, landfills. It grows well on clay soil, but it also occurs on other types of soil, including sandy, pebbly river banks. Flowering time in the conditions of the European part of Russia is April.

Leaves coltsfoot

Since ancient times, the plant has been used as a medicinal plant. All aboveground parts have useful properties. The coltsfoot leaves and flowers are harvested. Before use, study the benefits and harms of coltsfoot.

Chemical composition

Chemical composition:

  • vitamin C;
  • tannins;
  • complex carbohydrates;
  • carotenoids;
  • alkaloids;
  • essential oil;
  • slime;
  • inulin;
  • saponins;
  • organic acids.

The popularity of the use of coltsfoot in folk medicine is due to the unique chemical composition.

Medicinal properties

Pharmacological properties:

  • antitussive;
  • enveloping;
  • diaphoretic;
  • antispasmodic;
  • disinfectant;
  • anti-inflammatory.

The use of coltsfoot for coughs and bronchitis is effective due to the mucus that is part of the plant, which envelops the respiratory tract and prevents irritation. Saponins, organic acids thin dry cough, remove sputum. Read more about coltsfoot for coughing at.

The plant is effective in complex treatment for sore throat. Coltsfoot is used for stomatitis, purulent infections, inflammation.

Tannins in the composition of the plant do not allow bacteria to multiply and spread throughout the body. The plant is used for colds.

Outwardly, coltsfoot is used to treat skin diseases, acne on the face, itching and dandruff on the head. To strengthen hair growth, decoctions based on a plant are used.

How to collect

The leaves of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. The terms for harvesting parts of the plant vary depending on which part of the coltsfoot you will collect. Choose sunny, dry weather to harvest the plant. Collect flowers at the very beginning of flowering, until they turn white and the first true leaves appear. Pick the flowers without a petiole. Dry raw materials in a well-ventilated area to prevent mold.

Leaves appear after the flowering period. The terms of harvesting the leaves of the coltsfoot can be found out based on the appearance of the plant. When the upper fluff disappears from the leaves, the upper side will be smooth, cold, and the lower side will be covered with white omission, and this makes it seem that it is warm, then collect the leaves of the coltsfoot. Break off the leaves with your hands, leaving a small petiole.

Dry the leaves under a canopy in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Can be dried in a special dryer at a temperature not exceeding 35 degrees. Turn leaves occasionally to dry evenly.

You can understand that the leaves are already ready by their characteristic folded appearance. The short stem breaks easily. Before storing raw materials, sort them out, since there should be no more than 3% of rust-covered leaves. Dried leaves are odorless, bitter in taste, with a slimy feel. Store raw materials in paper or cloth bags.

How to apply

Any plant-based products should be used with caution. Basically, coltsfoot is used in combination with other herbs in the form of infusions, decoctions, alcoholic tinctures, and plantain syrup and coltsfoot are also popular.

Decoction for cough

Take coltsfoot decoction for cough as an independent or additional treatment. The plant does not absorb nitrates, therefore it effectively cleanses the lungs.

Ingredients:

  1. Dried leaves - 1 tbsp.
  2. Boiled water - 200 ml.

How to cook: Fill the leaves with water, close the container with a lid, heat in a water bath for 15 minutes. Infusion coltsfoot stir occasionally. After cooking, cool the mixture and strain. Bring the strained mixture to a boil. Store the decoction in a cool place for no more than 2 days.

How to use: Take ½ cup warm 2-3 times a day 1 hour before meals.

Result: Has an expectorant effect, clears dust from the lungs.

Decoction for bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi. The disease is primary or secondary, when bronchitis develops as a complication against the background of chronic diseases.

Coltsfoot with bronchitis has an antitussive effect. The plant is part of the chest preparations for coughing. Coltsfoot for tracheitis or bronchitis is used together with flower baskets and leaves.

Ingredients:

  1. Leaves - 3 tablespoons
  2. Water - 2 glasses.

How to cook: Pour the plant with water, boil until the water has evaporated by half. Strain the decoction after cooking.

How to use: Use 1 tbsp. every 2 hours.

Result: Expectorant, improves the general condition of the body, supports during illness.

Infusion for asthma

Asthma is chronic illness respiratory tract. Exogenous allergens are considered a provoking factor in the development of the disease.

Common allergens are vegetable, food, book dust, fish food, particles and animal dander.

In 20-40% of people with this disease, a reaction to medications. In 2%, the disease was obtained due to work in a hazardous enterprise or in a perfume shop. Coltsfoot for asthma is an effective remedy.

Ingredients:

  1. Mother and stepmother - 4 tsp
  2. Boiling water - 1 cup.

How to cook: Pour boiling water over the components of the plant, leave for 30 minutes.

How to use: Take ¼ cup 4 times a day.

Result: Has antiseptic, expectorant effect.

Infusion for pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue of an infectious origin. A disease occurs when attacked by a bacterial infection, the causative agents of which are pneumococcus, streptococcus, staphylococcus, fungal infections, herpes virus.

Ingredients:

  1. Crushed leaves of the plant - 1 tbsp.
  2. Water - 1 glass.

How to cook: Pour boiling water over the components of the plant, leave for 30 minutes.

How to use: Take up to 5 times daily chilled.

Result: Coltsfoot with pneumonia has an expectorant effect, produces mucus, which relieves inflammation.

Other application

Coltsfoot can be bought at a pharmacy. Coltsfoot with pancreatitis normalizes the production of enzymes, relieves inflammation, pain, and has an antimicrobial effect. Treatment with plant-based preparations is carried out for at least two months.

Coltsfoot for hemorrhoids is used as a decoction for baths. Leaves of coltsfoot, oregano, alder cones, couch grass root, hop cones are mixed in equal proportions, infused and added to water. Helps with the expansion of the veins of the anus, anal fissures, pain.

Coltsfoot for weight loss is used in combination with other herbs. The plant goes well with blackberries. Take coltsfoot in the form of tea. The drink removes toxins, toxins from the body, restores strength. Coltsfoot for weight loss is popular due to its diuretic effect.

Coltsfoot with angina affects the inflamed tonsils. Take the plant inside in the form of infusions, decoctions or gargle. Also carried out with coltsfoot inhalation. For inhalation, a complex of herbs is used: chamomile, coltsfoot, thyme, eucalyptus, sage, linden. In the broth, you can add the asterisk balm at the tip of the knife. Breathe in steam as much as possible. After a couple of days, improvements are noticeable, there will be no trace of inflammation and cough.

Coltsfoot for hair acts as a strengthening agent, restores the structure of the hair. The plant is used for hair loss, increased oiliness of the scalp, dandruff.

Features of use during pregnancy

Mother-and-stepmother during pregnancy can only be used as directed by a doctor. In the first trimester of pregnancy, taking the plant is strictly prohibited. Substances that make up the plant can penetrate the placental barrier and disrupt the development of the fetus or cause miscarriage.

Although, in the optimally selected dosage, coltsfoot for a cold can strengthen the body of a pregnant woman and saturate it with vitamins, in no case should you use the plant without first consulting a doctor.

Outwardly, it can be used to treat skin diseases, as well as apply coltsfoot compresses for varicose veins.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the use of the plant is not so dangerous. With a runny nose, cough, you can use tea from coltsfoot, after consulting with your doctor.

Plant-based teas or coltsfoot teas can be purchased ready-made or you can make your own.

When breastfeeding, the plant should not be consumed in any form, because through breast milk coltsfoot also enters the child's body. The plant is contraindicated for small children.

Contraindications

Contraindications for use:

  • delay, violation of the menstrual cycle;
  • breast-feeding;
  • children's age up to 2 years;
  • disruption of the liver;
  • individual intolerance;
  • simultaneous intake of certain vitamins, dietary supplements, medicines to relieve symptoms of a cold, temperature.

Before using any products containing coltsfoot, be sure to consult your doctor. Some medicines do not combine with the plant.

Side effects:

  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • diarrhea;
  • temperature.

Due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the plant, the toxicity of which has been poorly studied, it is not recommended to use coltsfoot flowers for more than 4-6 weeks in a row.

Classification

Taxonomic position:

  • Domain - Eukaryotes.
  • Kingdom - Plants.
  • Department - Flowering.
  • Class - Bipartite.
  • Order - Astrocolor.
  • Family - Astroflowers.
  • Genus - Mother-and-stepmother.

For more information about coltsfoot, see the video:

Varieties

Previously, the genus was understood in an essentially broad sense. Many of the species that are now part of the genus Butterbur (Petasites) were formerly classified in the genus Tussilago:

  • Butterbur smooth or radiant (Tussilago aquatica).
  • Fragrant butterbur (Tussilago pyrenaica).
  • Butterbur cold (Tussilago frigida).
  • Butterbur hybrid (Tussilago hybrida).
  • Rocky or reddish butterbur (Tussilago rubella).
  • Siberian Butterbur (Tussilago sibirica).
  • False Butterbur (Tussilago spuria Retz).

coltsfoot infographic

Photo coltsfoot, her beneficial features and application:
Infographics on coltsfoot

What to remember

  1. Coltsfoot - medicinal plant, which helps in the treatment of coughs, pneumonia, colds and for weight loss.
  2. Before using the plant, study what coltsfoot helps from, what contraindications there are.
  3. Collect flowers and leaves of the plant for harvesting.

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In cosmetology, it is difficult to find a better hair product than coltsfoot. A decoction of this herb almost immediately destroys dandruff, the hair becomes strong and shiny.

The external use of preparations based on the herb helps to eliminate various skin diseases (erysipelas, ulcers and boils).

For women, podbela leaves help relieve mastitis. So is she.

Important! Tea from coltsfoot is a powerful tool for seasonal weakening of the body and beriberi.

With cystitis

Coltsfoot is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Therefore, it is advisable to use it to get rid of various ailments of the genitourinary organs. It will help relieve pain and spasms.

When you should do douching (enemas) with a decoction of recumbent grass.

  1. To do this, put 12 g of grass in 450 ml of water, let the mixture boil.
  2. The drug should be infused for about 50 minutes - during this time the temperature of the infusion will reach 37 degrees.
  3. Procedures are carried out daily just before going to bed.

Simultaneously with enemas, 14 ml of coltsfoot decoction should be taken three times a day.

With sinusitis

- a very unpleasant disease, which is accompanied by a constantly stuffy nose and a severe headache. To alleviate the suffering of the patient, you can use coltsfoot as follows:

  • pour 6 g of grass into 170 ml of boiling water. Leave for half an hour. After that, each nostril should alternately draw in a warm solution;
  • fresh juice three times a day instill 4 drops;
  • make powder from dried roots. Inhale it to provoke a sneeze.

You can prepare a collection for inhalation. Place coltsfoot and eucalyptus leaves in a small saucepan. Add 470 ml of boiling water. Infuse for 20 minutes in a tightly closed container.

Pour off part of the strained broth - you need to drink it 22 ml three times a day.

Heat the rest of the broth and pour into a heating pad. Inhale the steam coming out of the hole alternately through your mouth and nose. Inhalations must be repeated every morning and evening. The duration of one procedure is from 3 to 5 minutes.

With hemorrhoids

Quite difficult to treat. Specialized, expensive drugs, permanent procedures are required. And sometimes surgery.

But there is an ancient recipe that has helped many people get rid of this disease.

  1. Collect at dawn.
  2. Grind in a wooden mortar.
  3. Pour an equal amount alcoholic drink(pure moonshine).
  4. Put in a cool, dark place for a day.
  5. After that, the tool should be used to lubricate problem areas.

Improvement occurs after 7 days.

Sitz baths are good for hemorrhoids.

First you need to mix:

  • coltsfoot;
  • oregano and;
  • inflorescences of linden and alder;
  • root of wheatgrass and steelwort;
  • hop cones.

All ingredients should be taken equally. For 1500 ml of boiling water you will need 22 g of the mixture. After half an hour, the mixture will be brewed and it can be diluted with 4-5 liters of warm water. Stay in the bath should not be longer than 20 minutes.

Important! Alcohol tincture can cure alcoholism (even without the knowledge of the patient). To do this, add 10 drops of the drug to any drink.

With prostatitis

Refers to complex diseases, requires an integrated approach. For treatment, you can use various herbal preparations.

  • underline;
  • lingonberry and birch leaves;
  • sage;
  • goose cinquefoil;
  • horsetail;
  • nettle.

All herbs are taken in equal mass fractions. The mixture (12 g) must be brewed with 375 ml of boiling water. The broth must mature for at least 4 hours. Take 120 ml with food.

Mix coltsfoot with leaves and inflorescences of sweet clover, add centaury. Each herb will need 3 g. Pour the mixture with 210 ml of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes. Drink 6 times a day, 65 ml.

The course is 20-27 days. During treatment, sexual intercourse should be avoided.

With gastritis

For the treatment of gastritis, it is necessary to prepare the following decoction.

  1. Mix 4 g of Kamchuzhnaya grass and yarrow.
  2. Pour the collection of 210 ml of boiling water.
  3. The medicine will be infused for 55 minutes.
  4. Drink 1 sip before and after meals.

For another collection, you should mix equal amounts of podbel, watch, eucalyptus, nettle, chamomile and alder inflorescences, anise fruits.

Collection (13 g) pour boiling water (355 ml). The broth will take 3 hours to mature. Treatment should be continued for 32 days.

Important! Coltsfoot leaves can be a great help during picnics and hikes. Fresh grass can be used to lubricate bite sites. Or apply to the temples in case of a sharp attack of a headache.

With hypertension

Podbela decoction helps to overcome hypertension, atherosclerosis and other heart diseases. The mixture should be drunk in the morning, 65 ml.

To enhance the effect, you can make a complex collection:

  • recumbent grass;
  • hop;
  • valerian root;
  • all parts of the strawberry bush;
  • calendula, viburnum, clover (inflorescences);
  • mint;
  • Dill seeds.

From the resulting collection should be taken 12 g, mixed with 185 ml of boiling water. The decoction should be infused throughout the night. Then drink 55 ml before each meal. You can use this medicine for a long time - up to 15 weeks.

With pharyngitis

For you should prepare a collection of 2 parts of podbel and 1 part of mint. Pour 220 ml of boiling water. Use as a rinse and inhalation solution.

  1. Gargle should be at least 3 times a day.
  2. Inhalations should be carried out 4 times a day. Each one is approximately 5 minutes long.
  3. Ingestion of juice three times a day helps well.

You can drink tea from the leaves of the recumbent herb with meals. To prepare 1 cup of drink, you need 6 g of raw materials.

With bruises

Most fast way to get rid of a bruise - attach a leaf with a cool side to the sore spot.

You can also crush the leaves into a gruel, fix it on a sore spot with a bandage or adhesive plaster. You can keep such a compress throughout the night.

Important! coltsfoot cannot be used when serious illnesses liver. Also, this herb is dangerous for children under 2 years old.

For arthritis

In case of inflammatory processes in the joints, sore spots should be wrapped with fresh leaves of reptile grass. This will help get rid of the pain.

This recipe may seem very simple for the treatment of such a complex disease. But traditional healers consider it the most effective for getting rid of arthritis.

In order to continue treatment in the cold season, it is necessary to make an alcohol tincture from the flowers of reptile grass. They should be crushed together with the stems, pour ammonia. The potion will be ready in 30 days.

After that, it can be filtered and used externally - lubricate the inflamed areas.

With varicose veins

It should be treated from the inside and outside.

To prepare a decoction of 12 g of kamchuzhnaya grass, pour 185 ml of water. Hold on low heat for 12 minutes. After a quarter of an hour, you can start taking the medicine. Use the medicine should be three times 15 ml.

For compresses, use the gruel left after filtering the broth.

With colitis

Colitis is a disease known to many. Very often traditional treatment does not bring relief. Nature has many remedies that effectively help with this disease.

  1. Dry the leaves of podbela.
  2. Grind to powder.
  3. Take 2 g of medicine three times a day.
  4. It is better to drink hot milk or honey water.

Enemas with a decoction of kamchuzhny grass flowers also help well. For 470 ml of boiling water, 23 g of raw materials are required. The medicine takes 55 minutes to infuse. After straining, dilute with water (1:4).

Collection for the treatment of colitis

  • (flowers) - 20 g;
  • Podbel (leaves) - 17 g:
  • chamomile (inflorescences) - 9 g.

Brew 14 g of the mixture with a glass of boiling water. An hour later, you can drink 70 ml. Repeat twice more in a day.

With abscesses

For the treatment of abscesses, the best remedy is fresh kamchuzh grass juice - lightly crush the leaves in your hands and apply to the affected area.

You can also make compresses by moistening a natural fabric in a decoction of podbel.

If abscesses are located throughout the body, baths should be taken with the addition of infusion. In 2.5 liters of boiling water, brew 55 g of grass. Then pour it into the bathing water.

Abscesses can be the result of disorders within the body. Therefore, you should prepare a medicinal tea.

  1. Displace mint leaves, plantain and coltsfoot for 3 g.
  2. Collection pour 175 ml of boiling water.
  3. Infuse for about a quarter of an hour.
  4. The resulting broth is divided into portions of 55 ml, which should be drunk during the day.

Important! Podbela-based preparations should not be taken more than 45 days a year.

If accompanied by rashes, a therapeutic bath should be prepared. It will require flowers and leaves (170 g) and boiling water (2.7 l). Infuse the decoction should be at least 4 hours. After that, warm it up a little and pour it into warm water.

It will take from 8 to 10 procedures, with a break of 2 days.

In the case of allergic asthma, it is necessary to make the following composition:

  • pearl grass, licorice, pine buds - 15 g each;
  • calendula, dill seeds, marshmallow, wild rosemary, string - 7 g each.

Displace, take 27 g of the collection and brew 175 ml of boiling water. Cook in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. After infusion (45 minutes) and straining, add water to the original volume. Take 45 ml several times a day.

With pyelonephritis

Cope with will help coltsfoot in combination with honey.

  1. Place a mixture of 6 g of herbs and 185 ml of boiling water in a water bath.
  2. After boiling, the broth should be filtered and cooled slightly.
  3. Add 6 g of honey.
  4. The resulting product is divided into 3 equal parts.

The best defense against any disease is a strong immune system. To enhance the protective functions of the podbel, you can cook very interesting dishes.

For quick and delicious salad it is necessary to mix grated raw carrots (90 g) with thoroughly washed fresh coltsfoot leaves (25 g). Add salt and 45 g of kefir.

Soup from pearl grass

  1. Wash the grass leaves, chop (100 g).
  2. Peel potatoes, cut, (200 g).
  3. Put potatoes into boiling water first. And after a few minutes, add coltsfoot.
  4. Bring the soup to a boil. Then remove from fire. Let it brew for a quarter of an hour.

Before serving, add sour cream (butter).

Podbela leaves also make excellent lean cabbage rolls, stews and roasts.

Kamchuzhnaya grass allows not only to quickly and effectively get rid of many ailments. But also to make the treatment tasty and enjoyable.

Represents perennial Astrov family. Its only representative is the common coltsfoot. The scientific name comes from the Latin "tussis" (cough) and "aqo" (to drive away) and translates as "coughleg". In traditional and scientific medicine, the plant is used as effective remedy against cough. The popular names of the plant are the king-potion, two-leafed, reptile grass, water burdock, mother grass, butterbur. The coltsfoot is a honey plant and provides bees with pollen and nectar.

Where coltsfoot grows

The homeland of the plant is Africa and North America, as an alien plant it has also multiplied in other parts of the world. It grows on soils on which there is no turf - clay, sandy and pebbly. In large numbers, coltsfoot can be seen in fields, landfills, embankments, wastelands, in ravines, along roads, along rivers and streams.

What does mother and stepmother look like

Description - coltsfoot ordinary has a long branched rhizome. Two types of shoots come out of it - flower and vegetative. The stems are erect, reach a height of 10-15 cm, covered with ovate-lanceolate brown leaves. In early spring flower shoots develop, on which bright yellow flowers bloom. After flowering, vegetative ones begin to grow. The fruit is an achene with a tuft.

Among the people, the name "coltsfoot" is explained by the characteristics of the leaves, one side of it is smooth and cold (like a stepmother), and the other with small villi, soft and warm (like a mother).

When coltsfoot blooms - the plant blooms in the European part of Russia at the end of April. From flower shoots, flowering heads are formed, reaching a diameter of 2-3 cm. Then fluffy caps with seeds are formed from them, which are blown by the wind over long distances.

Are coltsfoot and dandelion the same thing?

Both plants are medicinal and belong to the Astrov family, but to different genera.

Similarities– bloom yellow flowers, forming fluffy caps with seeds after flowering, which have tufts and scatter in the wind for many kilometers.

Differences- the mother-and-stepmother blooms even before the leaves appear, and the dandelion first has leaves, and then flowers, its stem is hollow and contains milky juice. They differ in the shape of the leaves - in the coltsfoot they have a rounded shape and small fluffy villi are located on the underside of the leaves, while in the dandelion they are elongated, pinnate with incisions. The flowers of the dandelion are large, reaching 5 cm in diameter, those of the coltsfoot are smaller than those resembling daisies.

How to properly prepare raw materials

For medicinal purposes, flowers and leaves are used, the coltsfoot root is not subject to harvesting.

When to Collect - harvesting is carried out in dry weather in environmentally friendly places far from places of pollution - factories, highways, landfills.

flowers- harvested at the beginning of flowering, even before the leaves appear. They are cleaned of debris and laid out in a small layer to dry. The collected raw materials are dried in a well-ventilated area without direct sunlight. Dry flowers keep 2 years.

Leaves- the preparation of leaves of the coltsfoot is carried out after flowering, tearing off with their hands. After collection, they are dried in a darkened and well-ventilated room so that they dry evenly, they are laid out in a small layer and periodically turned over. Keep for 3 years.

Mother and stepmother - medicinal properties and contraindications

The benefits of coltsfoot are due to its chemical composition. It contains many useful substances:

  • Vitamin C;
  • Trace elements (zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium);
  • Essential oils;
  • bitter glycoside;
  • Tannins;
  • Polysaccharides;
  • organic acids;
  • Inulin;
  • Dextrin;
  • Mucous substances.

What is useful coltsfoot

Grass on the human body has the following therapeutic effect:

  • Anti-inflammatory;
  • Antiseptic;
  • Spasmolytic;
  • General strengthening;
  • Antipyretic;
  • diaphoretic;
  • expectorant;
  • Diuretic.

What helps

A medicinal plant will help to heal and alleviate the condition with:

  • Colds, infectious and viral diseases;
  • Pulmonary and bronchial diseases;
  • Inflammation of the mucous membrane;
  • Problems of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach ulcer, gastritis, enterocolitis);
  • kidney disease;
  • Bladder catarrh;
  • Tuberculosis of the lungs (in the initial stage);
  • scrofula;
  • Headache;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • Painful and irregular periods;
  • Diseases of the upper respiratory tract (tonsillitis, cough, rhinitis);
  • hypertension;
  • High cholesterol;
  • Weakened immunity.

The mucus, which is part of the plant, envelops the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract and relieves irritation. Saponins and organic acids dilute mucus, sputum and excrete from the body. Essential oils tone the body. Glycosides normalize the work of the heart. Tannins kill pathogenic microflora in case of colds and viral infections.

Contraindications

  • Pregnant women;
  • When breastfeeding;
  • Children under 2 years old;
  • People with a diseased liver (cirrhosis, hepatitis);
  • With individual intolerance to the components.

How to brew coltsfoot: instructions for use

The flowers and leaves of the coltsfoot are used as a medicine. Leaves are rich in carotenoids, tartaric and malic acid, tannins, mucus, flavonoids, vitamin C. Flowers are rich in phytostyrin, carbohydrates, rutin, sitosterol, tannins. Leaves and flowers are used as raw materials for the preparation of medicines - decoctions, infusions, alcohol tinctures, teas, juice, oil extracts. Used to make cosmetics for skin and hair care, as well as in cooking for cooking jams and salads.

Recipes for cooking at home:

Decoction mother and stepmother - 5 gr. place the crushed leaf in a container with a glass of boiling water, keep on low heat for 1/4 hour, strain. Drink 100 ml. warm three times a day. Decoctions have an enveloping and antispasmodic effect, enhance the secretion of bronchial glands, and improve digestion. Facilitate expectoration, remove phlegm, mucus and soothe cough.

The crushed flowers are used to make medicinal drinks.

Tea - crushed raw materials (leaves and flowers) in the amount of 15 gr. put in a pot with boiling water. Wrap and hold for 30 minutes. Strain and drink 100 ml. twice a day. It will help stop coughing attacks, restore the function of the gastrointestinal tract and liver, purify the blood, lower cholesterol levels, and relieve pain in the joints.

Infusion - you need to take 15 gr. coltsfoot leaves (in dried form), place in a container with 250 ml. boiling water, hold in a water bath for 40 minutes, strain. Take 50 ml. 3 times a day. The infusion normalizes the acidity of gastric juice, envelops and heals the mucous membrane.

Tincture - for its preparation, dry crushed flowers are placed in liter jar(half) and pour vodka or alcohol. Cleaned in a dark place for 10 days. At the end of the infusion period, filter and take 30 drops, diluted with water, once a day. Coltsfoot tincture activates metabolic processes, cleanses the blood and blood vessels from cholesterol, strengthens the body.

The juice - obtained by grinding fresh leaves in a meat grinder or juicer. Filter and drink after eating a tablespoon three times a day.

Crushed leaves, for making juice, must be squeezed through cheesecloth

Fresh juice is recommended to be used to enrich the body with vitamins and boost immunity. Externally used for purulent inflammation of the skin - apply compresses to sore spots, change every three hours until completely cured. The gruel left after squeezing the juice is used to treat mastitis, diathesis and boils.

coltsfoot oil - crushed raw materials (fresh leaves and flowers) are placed in a jar (half) and poured hot vegetable oil up to the top. Close and place in a dark place for ten days to infuse. Then strain and store in the refrigerator. Used externally for cosmetic purposes, for face and hand skin care.

coltsfoot syrup - fresh leaves are crushed and placed on the bottom of the container (2 cm layer), sprinkled with sugar (in the same amount) and repeat the layers to the top. Cover and clean in a cold place for 20 days for infusion. Then the liquid is drained and drunk 20 ml. before meals three times a day. It is effective to take cough syrup to stimulate metabolic processes and the body's immune forces.

coltsfoot jam - cooking recipe: fresh flowers (500 gr.) Chop, place in a container with 2/3 liters of water and keep on low heat for about half an hour. Remove from heat and leave for another hour, then strain and put one and a half kilograms of sugar, cook for another 15 minutes. Store in the refrigerator for a month.

Lemon jam - during the first cooking, add a lemon (2 pieces), cut into pieces. It is not necessary to remove the zest, with it the jam acquires a weak specific bitterness. You can use jam in a small amount several times a day. It will help restore the body after suffering colds and infectious diseases, strengthen the immune system, cleanse the bronchi and lungs, and alleviate the condition with diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

How to use:

Treatment with coltsfoot for more than 2 months is not recommended, since the glycosides contained in the plant can accumulate and poison the body. Use the plant with caution, in consultation with your doctor. It should be remembered that non-compliance with doses of administration can provoke the appearance of side effects - diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever.

coltsfoot for women

The plant has female body beneficial action. It has an antioxidant effect, reduces the number of free radicals, accelerates recovery processes, replenishes the body with vitamins and minerals. It is used to treat gynecological diseases (inflammation of the appendages, painful menstruation, severe uterine bleeding). Helps a woman in hair and skin care (nourishes, moisturizes, removes rashes, reduces fat content).

For face - the plant tones, cleanses, refreshes and activates the microcirculation of blood vessels. For these purposes, you need to wipe the face with a decoction of coltsfoot in the morning and evening.

honey mask- take half a glass of coltsfoot broth, add honey (a tablespoon), moisten a cotton pad in this solution and apply to the skin. Wash off after half an hour warm water.

By doing daily procedures using coltsfoot, you can make the skin healthy and beautiful

Softening mask- crushed to a mushy state, fresh coltsfoot and chamomile flowers (a tablespoon each) are mixed with cream (a tablespoon) and applied to the skin. Wash off with warm water after half an hour. It is recommended to use to relieve peeling and redness of the skin during chapping - to nourish and moisturize it.

Hair coltsfoot - the amino acids contained in the plant contribute to the restoration and maintenance of the beauty and health of the hair. Cystine - strengthens and stimulates growth, silicon - removes dandruff, restores structure and gives hair shine.

Hair Mask- for its preparation, components are needed: dried nettle leaves and coltsfoot (a tablespoon), rye bread (100 gr.). Herbs are placed in a container with 250 ml. boiled water, kept in a water bath for half an hour and filtered. The crushed bread is added to the decoction and the mixture is rubbed into the hair roots. Hold for half an hour and rinse with warm water. The procedure strengthens the hair, prevents hair loss and dandruff formation.

Coltsfoot for rinsing hair- prepare a decoction of the leaves and flowers of the plant: 50 gr. raw materials are placed in a container with two liters of water, insist on a water bath for half an hour, filter and rinse the hair after washing.

For weight loss - tea with coltsfoot cleanses the body of toxins and toxins, activates metabolic processes, strengthens the immune system. Weight loss occurs due to the diuretic property of the plant - it removes excess fluid from the body.

During pregnancy - ingestion of drugs with coltsfoot is not recommended, the plant can cause uterine contractions and provoke a miscarriage. Can be used externally to treat varicose veins and skin ailments.

For nursing mothers - it is also forbidden to use the plant, since the reaction of the child's body to the plant is unknown.

The use of coltsfoot in folk medicine

With pneumonia - a decoction of coltsfoot helps well. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, has a detrimental effect on bacterial infections. You need to drink a decoction of 30 ml. 4-5 times a day.

Decoction of coltsfoot is an effective remedy for the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract

With pancreatitis - it is necessary to take the infusion of coltsfoot. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties help to alleviate the condition in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize the production of enzymes. To achieve the desired effect, you need to take a long time (up to two months).

With angina - gargle with a decoction of coltsfoot every 2 hours until the symptoms disappear. It is useful to do inhalations - wrap yourself in a towel and breathe in the vapors of the decoction.

From a cold - instill 3 drops of juice from fresh leaves of the plant into the nose. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action. Relieves congestion and releases breath.

Against cough - it is good to drink a decoction of coltsfoot in 100 ml. before meals three times a day. The drink softens, dilutes sputum, facilitates expectoration, cleanses the bronchi and lungs.

Medicinal syrup is sweet in taste and children take it with pleasure

Cough for children - you need to give the child plantain syrup and coltsfoot for a dessert spoon three times a day. It can be prepared at home, or you can buy it ready-made in a pharmacy.

From a cold - use a decoction and tea from the leaves of the coltsfoot. The tannins that make up the leaves prevent the growth of bacteria and are very effective for colds and viral infections.

With bronchitis - crushed leaves and flowers (in the amount of 20 gr.), Pour boiling water (300 ml.), Leave on low heat for about half an hour. Strain and drink a tablespoon several times a day. The decoction has an antitussive effect, promotes expectoration, removes mucus and phlegm, quickly and effectively cures bronchitis.

Medicinal fees

coltsfoot, nettle - for the preparation of a decoction, the leaves of plants in crushed form are used. The collection is steamed, filtered and rinsed with hair.

The plant is used in combination with other medicinal herbs.

Sage, coltsfoot - a decoction of these plants is used to gargle with sore throat, for the treatment of the disease, inhalations with these herbs are effective.

Chamomile, coltsfoot - are part of the herbal collection for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections in children. They take narrow-leaved sucker (3 parts), coltsfoot (2 parts), calendula, chamomile, linden, mint (1 part each), mix everything. 50 gr. the mixture is placed in a container with 1.5 liters of water, insisted on a water bath for half an hour and used for inhalation. All herbs are anti-inflammatory, contain essential oils and soothe the airways. Used as a remedy for cough, chronic rhinitis, tonsillitis.

Lungwort, coltsfoot - are part of the lung collection, thyme, echinacea and licorice roots, linden flowers are also added there (all in equal quantities). Stir and 15 gr. the mixture is steamed with a glass of boiling water, infused for 5-10 minutes. Filter and take 100 ml. three times a day before meals.

Chernobylnik (wormwood), coltsfoot - used in herbal preparations for the treatment of coughs. Herbs are added - oregano, calendula, comfrey, pine buds, needles, fir cones, chamomile and sage. Stir and 20 gr. the mixture is poured with boiling water (200 ml.), insisted, taken 1/4 cup three times a day. The collection eliminates congestion, facilitates breathing and expectoration, improves well-being.

coltsfoot, plantain, pine buds - prepare a decoction of herbs taken in equal amounts. 30 gr. the mixture is poured with boiling water (200 ml.) and kept on low heat for 5-10 minutes. Insist and drink 50 ml. three times a day. The drink is used to treat respiratory organs - cough, tonsillitis, bronchitis, especially effective for whooping cough.

Burdock, coltsfoot, nettle - are included in the herbal collection for hair care. Prepare a decoction with chopped nettle leaves and coltsfoot and burdock roots - all in equal amounts. Mix and 50 gr. the mixture is poured with two liters of boiling water, insisted in a warm place for 15 minutes. Strain and wash your hair twice a week. The procedure removes dandruff, revitalizes the hair and gives it shine.

Plantain, coltsfoot, thyme are used to treat bronchitis. Herbs are mixed in proportions 1:3:2 and 20 gr. mixtures are placed in a container with 250 ml. boiling water, they insist. Strain and take with honey after meals.

The benefits and harms of coltsfoot are directly related to its healing properties. The potent substances in the composition of the herb can provide tangible help to the body in many diseases, but its inept or immoderate use can be harmful to health. Having studied the beneficial properties of coltsfoot herbs before independent use, you should also familiarize yourself with the features of its action and contraindications.

What does coltsfoot look like and where does it grow?

yellow, bright flowers coltsfoot are among the first to bloom in spring, often as early as April. On stems covered with brown scales, one inflorescence opens. Small, tubular petals are collected in baskets of small diameter.

After flowering, palm-sized leaves appear, with large teeth along the edges. Top part plates are smooth, glossy. The lower one is covered with white fluff, velvety, warm. For this property, they called the grass - coltsfoot. The Latin name speaks more about the application, literally it translates as "coughing away".

The perennial prefers clay soils near water bodies, in wastelands, and can settle in the garden. Useful coltsfoot grass is considered a weed, often growing on uncultivated lands.

The chemical composition of coltsfoot

The benefits of coltsfoot for the human body are determined by a complex balance a large number components in the composition. Medicinal properties are found in flowers, seeds, roots and leaves of coltsfoot.

The main active substances in the composition of the herb and their beneficial properties:

  • essential oils have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties against viruses, fungi, protozoa;
  • mucus envelops the inner surface of the oropharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, contributing to their healing, reducing swelling;
  • phytosterones help build muscle mass, tone up, strengthen the body's defenses, are antioxidants, normalize cholesterol;
  • glycosides exhibit the property of thinning bronchial secretions, help to remove sputum from the respiratory system, improve digestion;
  • organic acids prevent cell wear, accelerate regeneration, treat purulent processes, strengthen immunity;
  • tannins disinfect, relieve inflammation, constrict and strengthen blood vessels, reduce bleeding;
  • flavonoids, carotenes, saponins, sterols, inulin, rutin, vitamin C, and many other valuable compounds.

Important! The whole complex of substances that enhance and complement each other's healing properties has a beneficial effect. Therefore, the range of applications of simple grass is simply huge.

What is useful coltsfoot

The actual property of coltsfoot is the treatment of cough of any origin. Any part of the herb is able to enhance the production and withdrawal of sputum, which is successfully used for dry cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, rhinitis.

The benefits of coltsfoot flowers are determined by the presence of essential oils, tannins, phenolic acids, phytosterol. Substances destroy many pathogens, speed up metabolism.

The leaves of the coltsfoot accumulate more plant mucus, carotenes, vitamins, and microelements. Their benefits are more noticeable in the treatment of anemia, beriberi, asthenia. Enveloping, antiseptic, healing properties of the herb are used externally and to help internal organs with damaged mucous membranes.

What does coltsfoot treat?

Ordinary weed grass has outstanding qualities, it can help in the treatment of several dozen diseases, strengthens a weakened body and even increases muscle performance.

Home remedies from coltsfoot provide benefits but do not cure diseases on their own. Herbal formulations are used as auxiliary in the main therapy, which is prescribed by the doctor. Unauthorized combination of medicinal substances can be harmful.

Grass coltsfoot is prescribed for such diseases:

  • any inflammation of the respiratory tract with cough, swelling of the mucous membranes;
  • tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema;
  • dermatitis, erysipelas, varicose veins, trophic ulcers, abscesses, wounds;
  • stomatitis, periodontal disease, gingivitis, inflammation in the oral cavity;
  • gastritis, enterocolitis, diseases of the stomach, intestines, hemorrhoids;
  • inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system.

The restorative effect of coltsfoot products on the body can be useful for cardiovascular disorders, diseases of the nervous system. Immunostimulating, antihypoxic, antioxidant properties of the herb are used in recovery from illnesses.

Is coltsfoot good for pregnancy

The herb seems to be a harmless substitute for pills during pregnancy. But during the period of bearing a child, the medicine is not entirely harmless. The benefits and harms of coltsfoot grass must be carefully correlated for the mother and for the fetus.

During pregnancy, the property of alkaloids to penetrate the placental barrier is especially dangerous. This can harm the fetus, lead to miscarriage, or cause premature birth. During lactation, alkaloids get into, so taking the herb inside is prohibited.

As part of the coltsfoot for pregnant women, there are not only useful compounds. Alkaloids are harmful to a woman's body. At long-term use they accumulate in the liver, destroying it. Harm is caused by herbal treatment for longer than 6 weeks.

It is permissible to use coltsfoot during pregnancy to correct skin problems (acne, dermatitis) or hair care.

Mother and stepmother to children

Reviews of coltsfoot grass regarding the benefits and harms for children are quite contradictory. Some parents advise her from the first days of a child's life. Doctors are more categorical. Due to the strong composition and the presence of poorly studied components, official medicine prohibits treatment until the age of 2 years, when the treatment will do more harm.

It is useful to give a decoction or water infusion of grass to children under 7 years of age with colds, coughs, fever, infectious diseases ear, throat and nose: 1 tbsp. l. up to 6 times a day. Only on condition that the main treatment is selected by the pediatrician, a useful remedy from coltsfoot shortens the recovery time, copes with a protracted, unproductive cough.

Important! Useful amount for children school age- up to 250 ml per day. It is advisable to divide it into several receptions.

Recipes with coltsfoot in folk medicine

If you need a softening, healing, enveloping effect, a decoction of grass is useful. When it is more important to preserve essential oils, glycosides, micro and macro elements and their beneficial properties, it is better to make an infusion.

Decoction of coltsfoot for cough and bronchitis

As an expectorant, emollient in acute and chronic bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, a decoction of coltsfoot herbs is effective.

Recipe for cough:

  1. Mashed or crushed leaves (1 tbsp.) Pour 0.5 liters of hot water.
  2. Warm up no longer than 5 minutes.
  3. Leave covered until cool, strain.

Take the medicine in two doses - in the morning and in the evening, 250 ml before meals.

A stronger composition will benefit from problems in the gastrointestinal tract, to maintain the work of the heart and vascular tone: 2 tbsp. l. herbs pour 1 tbsp. boiling water and boil for up to 15 minutes. The resulting remedy should be drunk in small portions per day.

With diathesis, a decoction of grass is prescribed for children over 2 years old: inside, 1 tsp. three times a day; externally - for wiping inflamed areas.

Infusion of coltsfoot

For rinsing the mouth, throat, washing the nasal passages, an infusion of coltsfoot is useful. The recipe is very simple: 1 tbsp. l. crushed raw materials are poured with boiling water (250 ml) and infused for 20 minutes.

Strained composition is useful to take 1 tbsp. l. up to 10 times a day for respiratory infections. You can repeatedly rinse your mouth with dental inflammations or your throat with a cold with an infusion of herbs and flowers.

Vodka coltsfoot tincture

For alcohol infusion, you will need fresh coltsfoot flowers.

Preparing the tincture:

  1. Raw materials are mixed with high-quality vodka as 1:1 or with alcohol - 2:1.
  2. The mixture is poured into a glass dish, sealed tightly.
  3. Leave for a week without access to light, otherwise the grass will lose its properties.
  4. The precipitate is filtered off and the alcohol solution is stored in a dark place.

Dermatologists note the benefits of tincture for acne. Treating the face several times a day, you can reduce the number of rashes in a few days. If it is noticed that alcohol irritates the skin, it is permissible to dilute the product with water. The benefits as an antiseptic will decrease slightly, but the harm will be minimal.

Tincture coltsfoot is taken orally: 20 to 30 drops before meals. Alcoholic compounds of any herb can harm a sick stomach and are contraindicated in alcoholism.

Tea from coltsfoot

The benefits of coltsfoot tea are invaluable during the cold season. For the prevention of influenza, with a dry, prolonged cough, chills, brew 1 tbsp. l. flowers 1 tbsp. boiling water. Useful grass used separately or as part of a collection, no longer than 3 weeks.

Fresh coltsfoot juice

Vitamin and health-improving properties are distinguished by fresh juice from young leaves, if you collect grass in June.

Application and useful properties:

  • 1 tsp up to 4 times a day with a course of at least 1 week with beriberi, loss of strength;
  • 10 drops of juice in each nasal passage, up to 3 times a day with a severe cold;
  • externally - with lichen, burns, abscesses on the skin, boils.

To prepare the product, the washed herb is crushed with a blender or passed through a meat grinder, the mixture is diluted with filtered water (50/50), the useful liquid is squeezed through gauze.

Applications

Mashed fresh coltsfoot disinfects and heals when applied to damaged skin. Apply the herbal mass directly to the wound, burn, inflamed veins and cover with a clean cloth.

leaf compress

A coltsfoot compress is prepared as follows: 5 tbsp. l. leaves with flowers are steamed 1 tbsp. boiling water. After half an hour of infusion, the steamed grass is ground. Gauze is placed on the skin, then the mass is evenly applied and covered with a cloth on top. It is useful to fix such a compress and leave it overnight. The course of treatment for significant damage is about 10 days.

Foot baths with coltsfoot

The antifungal, anti-inflammatory, tonic property of the herb is beneficial for foot skin infections, calluses, wounds, and swelling.

Decoction for external use:

  1. Fresh or dried coltsfoot (2 tablespoons) is poured with boiling water (2 liters).
  2. With a slight heating, languish for 45 minutes.
  3. Filtered and cooled to a comfortable temperature.

Baths for with a decoction of herbs are done for 15-20 minutes before bedtime. With the expansion of the veins of the lower extremities, the fragility of the vessels with the same decoction is recommended to regularly treat the surface of the legs.

dried leaf powder

It is convenient to treat wounds with finely ground grass when other types of disinfection are not available. Coltsfoot powder, as a dry concentrate, can also be taken orally.

Comment! When drying and grinding raw materials, medicinal herbs quickly lose their useful properties, sunlight is harmful to collections. Powders should be kept in tightly closed containers or prepared as needed.

coltsfoot syrup

The medicine in the form of a syrup is well stored in the cold, does not lose its properties for a long time, children like it. In June, when the benefits of grass are most pronounced, they make a harvest from coltsfoot for the whole year.

A simple cooking option: the juice from young leaves is mixed with powdered sugar. For 2 parts liquid - 1 part sugar or honey. Healthy syrup from medicinal herb stored in the refrigerator.

Apply 1 tbsp. l. up to 4 times a day for tuberculosis, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis. Children are given 1 hour or st. l. sweet medicine a day. The dose depends on the age and recommendations of the pediatrician.

Coltsfoot in home cosmetology

The coltsfoot herb, its decoctions and infusions are added to masks with a rejuvenating and lifting effect, to enrich creams, tonics, lotions, and hair products.

For facial skin

Coltsfoot preparations gradually but deeply cleanse the pores, eliminate inflammation of small vessels, and treat acne. Alcohol tincture of the herb has the ability to whiten age spots, lighten freckles.

Cosmetic ice:

Add 2-3 drops to 50 ml of decoction essential oil rosewood and 10 ml of linseed oil. Enhances the beneficial properties of the addition of 10 ml of fresh coltsfoot juice. The components are mixed and frozen in special forms.

Massage with ice cubes in the morning quickly relieves swelling and puffiness. Regular use restores facial contours, rejuvenates and refreshes the skin. But cryotherapy, instead of benefit, can be harmful in case of rosacea, increasing spider veins.

Anti-wrinkle mask with seaweed: 50 ml of warm coltsfoot broth will require 30 g of crushed kelp. Cooking:

  1. Algae powder is mixed with liquid, left for 15 minutes for complete swelling.
  2. 10 g of oil is added to the mixture, mixed.
  3. The finished mass is distributed on the face and left for 30-40 minutes.

The mask has the ability to improve microcirculation in the vessels, regenerate cells, enhance nutrition and oxygenation of the skin.

For hair beauty

An infusion of coltsfoot with nettle will help against severe dandruff and hair loss. Herbs taken in 2 tbsp. l. each, pour a liter of boiling water, leave for half an hour, filter. Rinse hair after every wash.

Contraindications and side effects

Coltsfoot is a plant with powerful properties that can benefit or harm. You need to drink it with caution, without increasing the dosages in the recipes.

Contraindications to taking herbs:

  • coltsfoot intolerance;
  • renal failure, liver dysfunction;
  • allergic diseases;
  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • age up to 2 years.

Between courses take a break of 4 months. Long-term use without medical supervision does not bring benefits, but harm, disrupting liver function, poisoning the body.

Collecting and drying coltsfoot

Grass accumulates toxins, resins, salts of heavy metals. Harvesting of leaves and flowers should be carried out away from roads, enterprises, polluted places. Toxic raw materials harm, not help health.

Flowers are harvested fully open, without stems. The leaves are cut off with a small petiole. Drying of grass is carried out in the air, under shelter from sunlight. If stored in tight packaging, without access to light and moisture, the beneficial properties of coltsfoot remain for about 2 years.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of coltsfoot have been well studied over the centuries of its use. A simple herb can relieve the symptoms of the disease, improve appearance will help you lose weight. But without harm to health, only proven recipes can be used.