Mother stepmother flower how helps. "Mother and stepmother: medicinal properties of herbs, rules of use and contraindications." Pathologies of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract

It will take quite a bit of time, the snow will melt, and the first yellow eyes of the flowers of the forest lapushka will appear on the thawed patches. What plant do you think it is? It is also called kamchuzhnaya grass or kolorechnaya grass. Rannik, butterbur. Well? Guessed? If not, then such names as a two-faced, stepmother, mother-grass will definitely help you decide. This, of course, mother-and-stepmother.

A unique plant, there are so many names. Yes, what a variety!

The names mother-grass, stepmother and two-faced are associated with an interesting pubescence of leaves. Radical leaves, located on long petioles, are rounded heart-shaped from above - smooth, cold, like an unkind stepmother, and from below - soft, velvety, warm - like an affectionate mother.

The mother and stepmother plant has a branched creeping rhizome and thin roots. Golden-yellow flowers appear directly from the rhizome in the earliest spring, long before the leaves appear.

Properties of the plant coltsfoot

However, not flowers, namely leaves are very valuable for medicinal purposes. It is the leaves that contain a huge amount of useful substances. Macronutrients: magnesium, calcium, potassium; trace elements: selenium, silicon, copper, and many others.

And the medicinal properties of the leaves are due to the presence in them of substances such as the glycoside tussilagin; saponins; sitosterol; malic, tartaric, ascorbic and gallic acids; polysaccharides: inulin, dextrin; flavonoids (rutin, hyperoside). Carotenoids, essential oils and other substances also determine the beneficial properties of coltsfoot.

The healing properties of coltsfoot have been known for a very long time, even in ancient Rome. Pliny and Dioscorides used the coltsfoot plant in the treatment of coughs and various lung diseases in the form of aromatherapy - patients inhaled the smoke from dried leaves through a tube, and a decoction of the leaves was also used. Hippocrates used preparations of the coltsfoot plant both as an expectorant and as an external remedy, for example, in the form of poultices for abscesses.

Application of coltsfoot

Nowadays, the infusion and decoction of the leaves are prescribed by doctors, mainly as an emollient and expectorant in the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract (laryngitis, bronchitis).

The mother and stepmother plant is also used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.

The leaf mother and stepmother is part of the diaphoretic teas and nursing fees, as a remedy for fever.

Another use of mother and stepmother is in the treatment of skin ailments: erysipelas, scrofula and hair loss.

When and how to harvest coltsfoot grass

The collection of leaves of the mother and stepmother is carried out in the summer sometimes, in June-July, during their maximum development. Collect unfolded (not young) leaves with part of the petiole. Dry raw materials at 50-60 ° in electric dryers or in an ajar oven. The leaves are laid out in layers of 1-2 sheets and a couple of times a day the leaves are carefully turned over.

Dried raw materials are stored for up to 3 years.

We were known visually, but we did not know what they were called. About the name of others, such as coltsfoot, you will not need a photo for identification, we somehow guessed ourselves, without any clues.

Remember, it's all about the leaves, one side of which is green and smooth, the other is slightly fleecy and white. The bottom side is "mother". It is warm, soft, slightly damp, just alive. The upper part is the “stepmother”. She is cold and harsh. And it is from these leaves that we immediately recognize this plant with our eyes closed. And the leaf is so similar to a human palm - it even has veins on it.

Coltsfoot. Properties

The benefits of each plant or product are determined by its properties, which mainly depend on the beneficial substances contained in it. This also applies to such a plant as coltsfoot. Wikipedia says scientifically that the real name of this herb is Tussilágo farfara. It is made up of two syllables tussis and ago and literally means "coughing away". The word farfara means "floured" - the lower part really gives such an impression.

This name is true. Parents, grandmothers, herbalists and even doctors recommend brewing coltsfoot for bronchitis, cough, laryngitis, pneumonia. She owes this to tannin, glycoside and mucus (and no need to frown - this is not the mucus you thought of).

But coltsfoot is not rich in tannin alone. There are tannins, sterols, carotenoids, polysaccharides, mineral salts, tartaric and malic acids, elements of iron, potassium, magnesium and calcium. And our ancestors from early spring added coltsfoot to salads, perhaps because of the content in flowers and leaves. Try it, maybe you will like it.

What can be treated by coltsfoot?

This noble plant is coltsfoot. The herb, the use and action of which was appreciated by such famous medical characters as Avicenna and Hippocrates, deserves respect. No wonder it is otherwise called the mother-grass or the king-grass. Even for preventive purposes, you can simply dry the coltsfoot in the spring and constantly add it to tea. There will definitely be no harm.

In all other cases, a coltsfoot is useful, reviews eloquently confirm this. Take the plant in the form of decoctions, teas and infusions.

• Decoction coltsfoot . Warm 3 large spoons of leaves (crushed) in a water bath with a glass of boiling water for 15 minutes. Dosage 3 spoons after each meal.
• Infusion of coltsfoot . 3 large spoons of flowers and leaves are brewed in a water bath with a glass of boiling water for 15 minutes. After another 45 minutes, strain well and dilute in a glass to full. Drink the infusion should be warm, store in the refrigerator.
• Tea from coltsfoot leaves . 2 large spoons with the top insist in a glass of boiling water, like tea. Dosage - one cup three times a day.

Successfully used coltsfoot for coughs and colds, because it has a secretory, diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory effect. We make a decoction (see the recipe above) and drink it in a spoonful every three hours as an expectorant. If you add honey, lemon or to the broth, it will be much tastier.

Here is a review from one of the caring mothers:

“The mother-and-stepmother’s decoction, like gulls for coughing, has been familiar to me since childhood. That's why I decided to give it to my child. I won’t say that the next day the child jumped up, and there was no cough or fever. But the fact that the night passed relatively calmly, and the child did not come in with a dry cough - I can assure you of this.

In addition to coughing, coltsfoot also relieves other ailments.

• Tuberculosis. It is best to drink juice, for which only fresh leaves are suitable. Grind the leaves and squeeze the juice out of them. Then pour the same amount of water and boil a little. The course is a week or a half. Dosage three times a day before meals, a tablespoon of juice.
• Dropsy, suffocation, scrofula.
• atherosclerosis and myositis.
• Stagnation of bile and cystitis.
• hypertension and arthritis.
• Runny nose (you can bury the juice diluted with water).
• Stomach ulcer and allergy.
• Stomatitis, toothache.
• Problems with the intestines.
• If the nerves are shaking.
• For general strengthening of the body and spirit.

You made juice, but the pulp (slurry) remained. Don't rush to throw it away. It perfectly heals wounds, boils, cuts, burns, treats diathesis and mastitis.

You are in the field, barbecue or just went for a walk. And do you have a headache? A doctor is not needed if a coltsfoot is growing at hand, or rather, under the foot. With the smooth “stepmother” side, attach the leaf to the forehead and temples. It will relieve pain and lower the temperature.

Remember the mythical forest and meadow nymphs - wreaths always flaunt on their heads. When they were invented, they were invented as cheerful creatures with excellent mood, whose head does not hurt. Take a closer look, if there is mother-grass in their wreaths - our mother-and-stepmother? After all, they were invented by people who are quite close to nature ...

Recipes fees with mother and stepmother

The plant itself is strong and efficient. But you can also improve its medicinal qualities.

• Equal parts coltsfoot (leaves), . A glass of boiling water per spoon collection. We insist. We drink from tonsillitis - a glass a day for three visits.
• Violet tricolor, coltsfoot (leaves), calendula (flower), anise - all in equal parts. 2 spoons per glass of boiling water - infusion for affairs (15 +45 minutes). Relieves asthmatic cough. You need to drink just a glass for the whole day.
• Coltsfoot, calendula (flowers) 2 parts, 1 part. Pour a glass of boiling water, insist for half an hour. Strained infusion is injected with sinusitis into the maxillary sinuses. But after washing with a solution of (isotonic) sodium chloride.
• Coltsfoot, licorice root, pine buds (2 shares each), calendula, marshmallow root, wild rosemary (1 share each). Pour two tablespoons with a glass of boiling water, warm. Drink a glass of ha a day. The infusion helps with asthma.
• Coltsfoot (leaves), pine buds, plantain. 2 spoons per cup of boiling water. Drink throughout the day against whooping cough.

Mother and stepmother for the benefit of our beauty

Having fresh or dried coltsfoot at home and not using it to enhance your irresistibility is simply unacceptable. Let's start at the top.

From water, paints, curls, hair becomes brittle and weak, and even dandruff appears. Coltsfoot for hair will have an effect stronger than some cosmetics. We mix leaves and coltsfoot in any proportions. We make a strong decoction, add a couple of drops of essential oil to it for aroma and rinse the hair after each wash. After the procedure, it is no longer recommended to use a balm.

In summer, corns and corns appear on the legs. Let's get rid of them like this. First, we make baths, adding coltsfoot infusion to the water. And then we turn the cake into gruel and apply it to the feet at night. She will also get rid of.

Children and teenagers can wipe their face with infusion so that diathesis and age-related pimples disappear.

Coltsfoot for weight loss is effective in combination with other herbs. So, you can make tea from birch leaves (2 parts), (3 parts), coltsfoot (1 part) and corn stigmas (2 parts). Add part of the hay and drink a glass per day in two doses (0.5 liters of boiling water for 2 tablespoons of the mixture).

This mixture improves metabolism and dulls appetite. The result will be noticeable in a few days - a second wind will open, you will want not to walk, but to fly, vision and memory become clear, you are mobile, as if you had lost several years. Perhaps it was this cocktail that Lyudmila Gurchenko drank in the film “The Recipe for Her Youth”.

natural aphrodisiac.

Mother and stepmother (in Latin it is called - Tussilago farfara) is a widespread and well-known medicinal plant since the formation of medicine. Recipes for its practical application can be found in the writings of the founders of medicine, and the leaves and flower baskets of the plant are included in the register of medicinal raw materials in many (more than 15) countries of the world.

Coltsfoot can be found in floodplains and forest edges almost everywhere, especially in the European part of the continent. It is noteworthy that the flowers appear first, and after flowering the plants begin to grow leaves.

Procurement of medicinal raw materials

Leaves and flower baskets are used for medicinal needs. Leaves are harvested in the first half of summer, and flowers are harvested in spring (from April to May). Drying of medicinal raw materials is carried out under sheds, protected from direct sunlight, or with the use of artificial heat (the temperature in the dryers must be maintained within 30-35 ° C).

As for the preparation of leaves, they must be collected fully developed, without the abundant felt pubescence characteristic of young leaves. When harvesting, one should also take into account the fact that plants growing in open sunny areas are richer in healing components than those that grow in shading.

Store medicinal raw materials in paper bags or bales. Permissible shelf life of raw materials - 3 years.

The main active ingredients of coltsfoot

Flower baskets of the plant are rich in phytosterols (stigmasterol, taraxanthin, etc.). The flowers also contain vitamins and tannins.

Phytosterols are also present in the leaves of the coltsfoot, and, in addition, a number of organic acids (tartaric, gallic, malic, etc.), mucous and tannins, saponins, vitamins and flavonoids were found in them.

Pharmacological action of coltsfoot drugs

Since ancient times, coltsfoot has been valued as a remedy for the treatment of broncho-pulmonary diseases, which is eloquently indicated by the Latin name “tussilago”, which means “eliminating cough”. To this day, the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system is a priority for the use of drugs manufactured using coltsfoot.

Water extracts of coltsfoot have emollient and expectorant properties, increase sweating, and are also harmful to many pathogenic microorganisms. The use of coltsfoot is not limited to the treatment of bronchitis and pneumonia - it is often included as one of the ingredients in the preparation of multicomponent collections used for tuberculosis, lung abscesses, emphysema and silicosis (an occupational disease associated with prolonged inhalation of silicon-containing dust).

Clinical studies of the effect of coltsfoot water extracts have shown that their use often leads to an increase in bronchial tone, therefore it is advisable to introduce components with antispasmodic properties (, etc.) into the composition of preparations in order to compensate for a tendency to bronchial spasms.

Traditional medicine actively uses coltsfoot, and not only for the treatment of respiratory diseases - its preparations are used for gastritis and inflammatory processes in the intestinal mucosa. Outwardly, it is prescribed in the treatment of purulent wounds, tumors, and some skin diseases.

Drugs (dosage forms) coltsfoot

– Herb infusion(leaves). Prepared at the rate of 1 tbsp. crushed raw materials in a glass of boiling water. The time of infusion is half an hour. Prescribe 1 tbsp. at the reception (up to 6 times a day). An infusion of leaves is effective in the treatment of bronchitis and bronchiectasis, lung abscess and laryngitis.

– Infusion of flower baskets. For 1 liter of boiling water, 20 g of raw materials (flowers) are required. It is necessary to prepare the drug in a sealed container, in order to avoid loss of volatile components. Duration of infusion - 45 - 60 minutes. The drug is prescribed in the treatment of certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, mainly of an inflammatory nature (100 ml 3-4 times a day). Outwardly - in the form of gargling.

– leaf decoction. Pour boiling water (250 ml) 20 g of dried raw materials, bring to a boil, boil for about a quarter of an hour. Assign (up to 6 times a day; 1 tbsp per reception) for inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract, heart disease, etc. The drug is used in the treatment of childhood diathesis (prescribe 1 tsp, up to three once a day).

– Breast fee. The composition of the collection includes marshmallow rhizomes, coltsfoot leaves, anise seeds, mullein flowers and Florentine iris roots (iris) in the ratio 40:20:15:10:10:5. Instead of iris root, violet root can be replaced. The collection is brewed at the rate of 20 g of the medicinal mixture for 2 or 3 cups of boiling water. Take up to 4 times a day for half a cup. The tool has expectorant and antimicrobial properties.

– Cigarettes. Used for choking spasmodic cough. A small amount of crushed raw material (leaves) is rolled up in the form of a cigarette (in tissue paper) and smoked. Another option is to inhale smoke from leaves smoldering on a hot surface.

– Potion Harmelon. The remedy proposed by a well-known healer is recommended for external treatment of various skin diseases, hemorrhoids, neuralgic and muscle pains, for douching in oncology of the female genital area, etc. For preparation, you will need: 50 g of Kermek root and elecampane, and 2 g of Spanish fly powder. The mixture is infused in 1 liter of 25% ammonia for 14 days. When the ammonia solution is ready, a decoction is prepared from a mixture of herbs: coltsfoot (50 g each per 1 liter of water). Cook in a sealed container for 15-20 minutes. Mix the strained broth with ammonia solution, store in the refrigerator (in a glass container with a tightly ground stopper).

Diseases of the upper respiratory tract

– Cough. Prepare 3 preparations:

1. Collection: mix 20 g each, tricolor violets (grass), coltsfoot (leaves), wild rosemary (shoots), leaves, chamomile flowers and. Pour the collection of herbs with water (1.5 liters), cook after boiling for 10 minutes.

2. Sugar syrup: 3 tbsp. sugar - the same amount of water.

3. A decoction of eucalyptus (for a glass of water - 1 tablespoon of raw materials). Boil for a quarter of an hour.

Immediately before use, mix 1 tbsp. decoction of herbs and 1/2 tbsp. decoction of eucalyptus and sugar syrup. Take in the indicated dosage 5 times a day. Even the most persistent cough disappears in 3 days.

– Colds. To alleviate the general condition, as well as to speed up recovery, it is recommended to collect. The composition includes flower baskets of chamomile, coltsfoot leaves, (respectively, in parts 5:10:10:20:25). Grind all components and mix thoroughly. For 250 ml of boiling water, you need to take 4 tsp. therapeutic mixture (the dosage is indicated for a single dose). Insist for 10 minutes. Consume three times a day before meals. If desired, and if there are no contraindications, you can sweeten with honey.

– Bronchitis with asthmatic component. Prepare a collection of equally taken elecampane roots, thyme and St. John's wort, coltsfoot leaves and wild rosemary shoots. For 1 liter of boiling water, 5 tablespoons will be required. medical collection. Pour boiling water over raw materials in the evening (in a thermos), and insist until morning. Drink three times a day for half a glass, preheat.

– Chronical bronchitis. Peel 2 kg of onion, pour 1 liter of cold water and boil at a moderate boil for 2 hours. Add 200 ml of honey to the broth and cook for another hour. Next, add the leaves of the coltsfoot, succession and plantain (2 tsp each), elecampane roots, flowers, marigolds and leaves to the broth. After half an hour, remove from heat, and after cooling, strain and squeeze the raw materials. It is necessary to use the drug half an hour before meals, 1 tbsp.

Medicinal properties of coltsfoot in gynecology

– Omission of female organs. Collection: primrose and elecampane roots, coltsfoot leaves (1 tsp of each herb in one and a half glasses of water). Boil after boiling for 15 minutes, filter. If necessary, add boiled water (bring the amount of liquid to the original volume). The remedy is recommended to be taken three times a day, 100 ml.

– Mastitis. For 1 kg of rye flour, you will need 100 g of crushed mistletoe and coltsfoot leaves, 50 g of celandine (grind the herbs into powder). Knead the dough with whey. Apply poultices at night.

– Inflammation of the uterine appendages(adnexitis). Composition of the collection: coltsfoot leaves and grass - 1 part each; berries, elecampane roots and capsule rhizomes - 2 parts each; swamp cudweed and arnica flowers - 3 parts each; wintergreen leaves - 4 parts; hawthorn (fruits) - 10 parts. Half a liter of boiling water will require 2 tbsp. collection. Insist in a thermos all night. Take up to 8 times a day, 50 - 70 ml.

– uterine fibroids. Collection: coltsfoot leaves, elecampane root, - 1 tbsp each; , St. John's wort, hawthorn fruits - 2 tablespoons each; herb motherwort heart - 3 tbsp; wild rose (fruits) - 5 tbsp. Pour the herbal collection with 1 liter of boiling water, and then simmer in a water bath for 15 - 20 minutes. Consume three times a day before meals.

Problems of the digestive tract

– Flatulence. Prepare the collection: (2 parts), sage and dubrovnik (3 parts each), horsetail (4 parts), green bark (5 parts), silver cinquefoil rhizomes (5 parts), coltsfoot leaves (6 parts), black elderberry leaves (8 parts). Pour 40 g of herbal mixture with 1 liter of white wine, cook in a sealed container for 10 minutes. Take a medicinal preparation of 100 ml before meals.

– Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Scald fresh leaves of coltsfoot with boiling water, grind through a meat grinder and squeeze out the juice. Dilute the resulting juice in half with boiling water, boil for 2-3 minutes and remove from heat. Take the drug for 1 tbsp. three times a day. Juice is also recommended to be taken for the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Treatment is carried out in courses of 7 to 10 days.

Oncology

As an additional remedy in the treatment of oncological diseases, traditional healers recommend collecting the following composition: elderberry flowers - 50 g, 100 g each, and coltsfoot leaves, as well as 200 g of sunflower marginal petals. Brew in the ratio: 1 tbsp. for 200 ml of boiling water. Assign the drug three times a day for half a cup. The maximum duration of a continuous course of treatment is 2 months.

External use of coltsfoot

– Alopecia. Brew in a glass of boiling water 2 tbsp. a mixture consisting of nettle leaves and coltsfoot. After half an hour of infusion, use to rinse your hair. The procedure is recommended to be carried out every other day.

– Calluses, cracked feet etc. Grind and mix fresh leaves of coltsfoot, alder and plantain, put in shoes instead of insoles.

Side effects and contraindications

Treatment and use of coltsfoot is not prescribed during pregnancy, as well as for children under 2 years of age.

The main active ingredients that make up the medicinal raw materials, as shown by recent studies, can have a negative effect on the liver. Obviously, it is undesirable to prescribe treatment using its preparations in the presence of liver diseases (alcoholism, cirrhosis, hepatitis, etc.).

In the case of long-term use, a carcinogenic effect on the body is not excluded, therefore, treatment with coltsfoot preparations must be agreed with a specialist and adhere to medical recommendations, both in terms of dosages and the duration of continuous use.

Belongs to perennial herbs of the Compositae family. In medicine, the leaves of the coltsfoot are used in diaphoretic and nursing collections, and this herb can also be used as an excellent expectorant.

The color of the flowers is golden yellow, the marginal flowers are reed, the middle ones are tubular, pistillate. Coltsfoot flowers are bisexual. The leaves are basal and appear after the plant has faded, they are round-heart-shaped, slightly angular, rather dense, there are uneven denticles on the edge, from below and above the leaves are white tomentose. When you touch the leaves, they seem warm, the upper surface is bare, cold. Achenes in coltsfoot with tuft.

Coltsfoot usually grows on clay slopes, hills, over river bluffs, all sorts of embankments, in wastelands, and, like any weed plant, can grow in fields.

coltsfoot cooking

To prepare an infusion from the leaves of the coltsfoot, you will need 5 grams of raw materials, that is, a tablespoon of dried leaves, which are poured into an enamel bowl. After the leaves, pour 200 ml of boiled hot water, close the lid and heat in a water bath for 15 minutes, while stirring the composition often. After the infusion should be cooled at room temperature for 45 minutes and carefully strain. After the infusion is ready, the remaining raw herbs must be carefully squeezed out. The amount of the resulting infusion should be brought with boiled water to 200 ml. Ready infusion can be stored in a cool place for two days, but no more. It is necessary to use the remedy in a warm form 2-3 times a day for 1/3-1/2 cup, about 1 hour before eating, the infusion is used as an expectorant.

Another method of preparing coltsfoot is done as follows: 5 g of leaves are poured into 200 ml of boiling water, after which the composition must be boiled for 10 minutes, left at room temperature for about 10–15 minutes, after which the broth must be filtered. It is recommended to use the medicine 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.

To prepare juice from the leaves of the coltsfoot, you need to take fresh raw materials, collected in June. The leaves are thoroughly washed with water, after which they must be doused with boiling water, passed through a meat grinder and the resulting mass is carefully squeezed out. Freshly prepared juice should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1, after which it should be boiled for 2-3 minutes. Take juice 3 times a day after meals, 1 tablespoon. The course of treatment with coltsfoot juice lasts from 7 to 10 days.

Treatment of a runny nose with fresh coltsfoot juice is done as follows: you need to instill 2-3 drops of juice into each nostril.

If there are problems with hair loss and profuse dandruff, a decoction of coltsfoot in half will help well. Collect flowers of coltsfoot grass in early spring, around noon, and it must be a good, sunny day.

To prepare an alcohol infusion of coltsfoot, you need to take flowers and alcohol in equal proportions, and then insist everything in a dark place for 7 days, but not less than this period. You need to take such an infusion in drops, from 30 to 40 drops, shortly before meals.

Useful properties of coltsfoot

Coltsfoot contains a large amount of mucus, which has an enveloping effect on the mucous membrane of the human mouth, as well as the throat and larynx, and helps protect against irritation. In addition to mucus, this plant contains saponins, as well as organic acids, which help soften, thin the dry discharge in the upper respiratory tract, contribute to the recovery process of the natural movement of the ciliated epithelium in the trachea and bronchi. Thus, thanks to these properties of coltsfoot, the process of evacuation of the products of the inflammatory process is accelerated, and this herb also contributes to expectoration of sputum due to the content of tannins, carotenoids and sterols, which have a clearly directed effect on the elimination of inflammatory processes, reduce hyperemia of the mucous membranes.

Traditional medicine advises an infusion of coltsfoot leaves as an expectorant, disinfectant and, of course, anti-inflammatory agent for almost all diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Also, an infusion of coltsfoot leaves is used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as a remedy with astringent properties.

In folk medicine, they love coltsfoot very much, prepare decoctions, infusions from it, and also make juice, all these remedies are used for bronchial asthma, bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, flu, runny nose.

In addition, coltsfoot is able to treat toothache, inflammation of the oral cavity, arthritis, myositis, allergies, epilepsy, malaria, edema, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal diseases, stomach ulcers, gastric catarrh, heart, bladder and kidney diseases. . Coltsfoot can also be used externally - for boils, erysipelas, ulcers, burns, and this herb also strengthens hair well and helps in the fight against profuse dandruff. Traditional medicine advises taking an infusion of leaves and flowers of the coltsfoot for tracheitis, laryngitis, gastritis, enteritis, cystitis, nephritis, hypertension, and also for disorders of the nervous system. Tea made from coltsfoot is drunk with exudative diathesis, with general weakness of the body.

Collecting and drying coltsfoot

As you know, in coltsfoot, the medicinal raw materials are leaves, which are harvested in the first half of summer, about 2-3 weeks after the baskets are seeded, this usually happens in June-July. It is necessary to cut off the baskets with your hands, capturing about 5 cm of the petiole, this is done immediately after the dew has come down. When collecting leaves, you should not pluck very young leaves that have pubescence on both sides, and you should not collect leaves affected by rust, and those that begin to turn yellow. Collect the leaves of the coltsfoot for harvesting should be away from places where animals graze and dogs walk.

You can dry the collected raw materials in the attic, or in any other way, as well as in the open air, laying out the leaves in a thin layer. When the leaves are drying, they must be carefully turned over once or twice so that both sides of the leaves dry evenly. Raw materials can also be dried in dryers, where there is artificial heating that maintains a temperature of 50-60 ° C. Raw materials can be stored for three years.

It is necessary to collect flower baskets of the coltsfoot at the beginning of the flowering of grass, this occurs around March-April, it is necessary to pluck the baskets in the same way as the leaves, with your hands, while removing the remnants of the stem that may remain on the basket. It is necessary to dry the coltsfoot baskets in the shade, spreading them out in one thin row. Such raw materials can be stored for two years.

Most harvesting of this grass is done in Ukraine, as well as in Lithuania, Belarus, in the regions of Russia - Voronezh and Volgograd.

Contraindications to the use of coltsfoot

Coltsfoot is contraindicated for children under two years of age. You should not drink it also for pregnant women and women who are in the lactation period. You should not use medicines from this plant for those people who have liver problems, this also includes people who are ill with alcoholism. The general course of coltsfoot treatment should not exceed one and a half months per year.

Expert editor: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna| Phytotherapist

Education: A diploma in the specialty "Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the University named after N. I. Pirogov (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Moscow University of Peoples' Friendship (2008).

Coltsfoot is a herbaceous plant with healing properties known for a long time. It can often be found near rivers, streams, in the shade of fences. It grows in almost all parts of Russia. The flowers are yellow, and the leaves are velvety on the underside and smooth on the top. It is very similar to a dandelion.

Coltsfoot contains a huge amount of useful substances - enzymes, acids, minerals, vitamins, essential oils. The flowers and leaves of this plant have medicinal properties. Collect flowers in spring, and leaves - in June.

The raw material of this plant is included in a variety of medicinal collections that are sold in pharmacies. Its action is especially effective in chest preparations.

Healing properties of coltsfoot

The plant contains mucus, which is an enveloping agent, has a pronounced expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect, reduces cough, removes sputum, and has an antimicrobial effect. Due to these properties, it is used for diseases of the respiratory system: rhinitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, tonsillitis.

For colds, coltsfoot has an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect.

In the treatment of purulent wounds, boils and calluses, it is used as a disinfectant.

The plant has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is taken for ulcers, gastritis, gingivitis, periodontal disease and other inflammations of the oral cavity and kidney diseases.

Coltsfoot is an antispasmodic, so it can be used to reduce menstrual pain.

Fresh juice of the plant is an immunostimulant and is used for beriberi. To do this, they drink it a couple of times a day.

The raw material is widely used in cosmetology, it eliminates dandruff and strengthens hair. It is used in the form of compresses for sweating.

What is the use of the mother and stepmother plant?

Preparation of infusion from coltsfoot

Brew the grass (a tablespoon) with one glass of hot water, leave for 15 minutes in a water bath, then leave for half an hour.

You can take two tablespoons of raw materials brewed with boiling water and leave for half an hour.
For the preparation of an alcoholic infusion, grass and vodka are taken in equal volumes and infused for a week.

Decoction preparation

A spoonful of raw materials is added to a glass of boiling water, kept on fire for 10 minutes, after half an hour you can drink the broth.

Fresh juice from leaves and flowers

The leaves and flowers are washed, scalded with boiling water, crushed with a meat grinder or blender, the juice is squeezed and filtered.

The use of coltsfoot in respiratory diseases

With rhinitis, inhalations with the addition of this herb are very useful. Fresh juice works effectively when instilled into the nose.

To facilitate the removal of sputum in bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, you need to drink half a glass of infusion before meals. Drink 40 drops of alcohol infusion before meals.

Inflammation of the bladder, kidney disease

Drink a glass of infusion, divided into several doses.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Infusion of coltsfoot mixed with infusion of chamomile and taken before meals.

Wounds and boils

Infusions and decoctions, juice of fresh leaves are used in the form of compresses on damaged skin areas. You can also apply clean mashed fresh leaves.

Angina, gingivitis, periodontal disease

Gargling in the morning and evening of the throat and mouth helps to cope with these diseases.

Colds

It helps to drink tea from the infusion of coltsfoot with the addition of lemon and sugar to taste.

Dandruff and hair loss

To get rid of dandruff, use a decoction that is rubbed into the scalp for an hour. This procedure should be repeated throughout the week.

In combination with a decoction of nettle, coltsfoot successfully fights hair loss.

Contraindications

Coltsfoot should not be used by lactating, pregnant women, those who are concerned about the liver, and children under two years of age. It is undesirable to use decoctions and infusions of herbs for more than two weeks.

Coltsfoot is an unpretentious plant, widely distributed in nature. It has been used in folk medicine for many years due to its healing composition.

Based on it, medicines are produced. Especially effective mother-and-stepmother acts with colds and respiratory diseases.