Coltsfoot is also known as coughwort and horsehoof. It is a perennial found in fields and the flowers, which resemble dandelions, appear before the leaves in early spring. Both the leaves and flowers are used medicinally. Coltsfoot is best known for its ability to act as an expectorant and to break up congestion, making it an excellent herb to use for cold and flu coughs, asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. It can be used in teas or added to homemade cough syrups. Dried leaves can be smoked for quicker relief of coughs. The plant may also be helpful for some skin conditions such as oily skin, being used as an astringent.
Coltsfoot is potentially toxic, although large doses are normally needed for this to occur. It can be damaging to the liver in fetuses, so it is not recommended to use this during pregnancy.
