Tussilago farfara
(Colt's foot)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Compound, L-652-469, is a platelet activating factor antagonist and calcium channel blocker
• Decreases time for bronchial cilia to recover after damage from smoking
• Expectorant
• Potent cardiovascular stimulant, a feature of tussilagone
• Sedative

Clinical Indications:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Coughs
• Emphysema
• Pharyngitis

Contraindications:

• Contraindicated in pregnancy due to abortifacient effect
• Contraindicated in pregnancy and nursing due to the content of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids
• Liver disease due to the alkaloid pyrrolizidine

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Limited data

Chemical Constituents:

• Alkaloid:
  
  Pyrrolizidine
• Bitter glucoside
• Flavonoids:
  
  Hyperoside
  Isoquercetin
  Rutin
• Mucilage
• Resin
• Tussilagone
• Volatile oil

Toxicity:

• Prolonged and heavy usage of the alkaloid, pyrrolizidine, can cause:
  
  Elevated liver enzymes
  Liver and kidney teratogenicity
  Potential liver toxicity

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).