Coltsfoot is a unique herb, the healing qualities of which are recognized as official medicine. Dry or fresh raw materials of this perennial will definitely be found in the arsenal of any herbalist. It is widely used in many diseases, as well as for cosmetic purposes. When to collect a coltsfoot and how to brew, what can be cured with the help of this plant and to whom it is better to abstain from such therapy - you will find answers to these questions later in the article.
Chemical composition
The medicinal effect of the herb, which in the scientific literature is called Tussilago farfara, or the subdelive tooth, is explained by its rich chemical composition. Scientists have discovered bitter glycosides in the foliage of coltsfoot. The properties of these organic substances are very valuable in medicine.
Did you know? Grass mother and stepmothers are considered very valuable early spring honey plant. Its productivity in this aspect reaches 30 kg of honey per hectare area.
Also among the components:- saponins, which determine the main therapeutic directions of the herb;
- carotenes, which, when released into the human body, are transformed into vitamin A;
- malic, ascorbic and gallic acids, which are responsible for metabolic processes;
- phytosterols - fat-like substances;
- mucus, whose value is in enveloping and softening qualities;
- vitamin C;
- essential oils;
- alkaloids;
- tannins.
Despite the fact that the coltsfoot is a weed for garden crops, it, like some other weeds (thistle, quinoa, dodder, mouse peas, dandelions) has many beneficial properties.
Medicinal properties
Scientific medicine recommends the use of leaves and flowers., which pharmacy names, respectively, Folium Farfarae and Flores Farfaiae. Most often they are used as an expectorant in the treatment of cough and respiratory organs. Outlets of this drug culture also help with angina, pneumonia, tuberculosis, imbalance of the gastrointestinal tract, bronchial asthma.
Did you know? The Latin name for coltsfoot flower - Tussilago - literally translates as "cough slegon".Folk healers advise to use coltsfoot to improve the appetite in children, with colds. A freshly squeezed grass juice is advised to treat runny nose, scrofula, various inflammations on the skin, ulcers, diseases of the veins, liver and kidneys.
Beauticians use perennials to rejuvenate skin cells and heal hair. If you regularly wash your hair with a decoction of coltsfoot, dandruff and damaged tips will disappear.
Preparation of medical raw materials
Sockets coltsfoot appear in early spring. Long before this, the creeping roots of the plants emit straight flower stalks formed from autumn, densely covered with purple scales. Soon, bright sunny flowers are formed of them, and only then the stalked leaves of a rounded shape, resembling a heart, develop. 
The size of one leaf plate is equal to the human palm. You can find out the foliage of this plant by its dark green color, smooth cold surface and strongly pubescent soft inner side.
Did you know? Notes on the practical use of coltsfoot are found in the essays of the founders of medicine. Flower grass sockets are included in the registries of medicinal raw materials of fifteen countries of the world.The collection of medicinal raw materials begins in late February - early April, when coltsfoot blooms. In search of plants you need to go to the wasteland, where the clay soil. It can also be found near brick factories, on rubbly areas, hacks of railways and on the outskirts of highways. Of course, it is better to tear off an environmentally friendly product away from large production and polluted exhaust lines.
Flower baskets are harvested in the first months of spring, and foliage - in early summer. No need to hurry with the workpiece. Wait until the leaves fully open and lose a little felt fleecy. It is better to pluck the scapes with old leaf plates from plants that inhabit sun-drenched areas. Their chemical composition is more saturated with therapeutic components. 
Drying medical raw materials can be on the street, but not in direct sunlight. The ideal option is a well ventilated attic, where there is always partial shade, dry and warm. If this is not possible, you can use an electric dryer, setting at the same time 30-34 ° C. Some lay out the collected raw materials on a piece of cloth or cardboard and dry it under room conditions.
Learn how to dry apples, plums, rosehips, apricots, pear, dogwood at home to preserve useful properties.
After drying, the sockets of the medicinal herb are packed in paper bags and sent for storage in dry and well ventilated places. The collection does not lose its healing qualities for three years.
The use of coltsfoot in traditional medicine
Some use the drug for therapeutic needs, while others - for beauty, body strengthening and prevention of various diseases. In the recipe often there are decoctions, teas, tinctures, including alcohol. We will understand how to properly prepare the medicine and in what cases it is necessary to apply one or another form of it. 
The juice
In this form, the coltsfoot is often used in field conditions when it is necessary to heal a rotting wound, boils, burns and other inflamed wounds on the skin. Besides, Herbalists are advised to drink the juice from the grass with a breakdown, weakened immunity, as a tonic and tonic, as well as for preventive purposes.
Important! Fresh coltsfoot juice helps with a cold. The fluid is instilled into the nostrils as needed.To get healing juice, first of all you need to thoroughly wash the leaves, then lightly scald and chop finely. After the done manipulations, the green mass is immersed in gauze and squeezed carefully. The resulting liquid is highly concentrated, so for internal treatment it is desirable to dissolve an equal part of boiled water. Some healers advise to boil the already diluted solution for 3 minutes. The drug is taken after meals three times a day. The course of therapy is 10 days.
Tea
Coltsfoot tea is very effective for colds and cough. The drink is prepared from fresh or dried raw materials, brewing boiling water. Moreover, for these purposes they use the entire herbal outlet, together with leaves and flowers. Drink the drug should be warm up to three times a day. 
Decoction
Herbal teas, like teas, have immunizing properties. They are recommended for the treatment and prevention of diseases, as well as for the restoration of the body after illness.
Important! When harvesting herbal raw materials, beware of damaged leaves covered with yellow or dark spots, as well as underdeveloped suspicious flower outlets.Prepare a useful liquid from 30 g of crushed dry raw material, which is poured 200 g of boiling water, brought to a boil and kept on the fire for 10 minutes. Then wrapped with a towel and allowed to infuse for an hour. The finished drug is ingested 4 times a day after meals. The drink helps with cystitis, myositis, swelling, dropsy and catarrh of the stomach, has a diuretic effect.
Infusion
The infusion is made from the dry leaves of the plant. 30 g of raw material is poured with a glass of boiling water and steamed for 15 minutes. Then strain through the gauze. The resulting liquid is mixed with an equal part of the non-hot boiled water. Daily drink 100 g of the drug twice a day after meals. 
Tincture on alcohol
To obtain alcohol tincture you will need to take equal parts of dry leaves and vodka. All ingredients combine and insist a week in a dark kitchen cabinet. Then the drug is drained and taken orally by 40 drops 20 minutes before meals. Do not drink water.
Important! Regardless of the disease, the maximum course of therapy with coltsfoot lasts 45 days. Repeat treatment can only be a year.
Outdoor remedy
In cases of appearance on the body of ulcers and inflamed wounds that are poorly healed, fresh leaves of perennial will save the situation. They are thoroughly washed and applied to the sore spot. It is desirable to do similar compresses for the night, fixing with bandage.
If the illness has happened to you in the winter, when there is no young foliage yet, you can prepare an ointment from dry raw materials. It is well crushed and prepare the tincture. Then filter. The resulting liquid is mixed with 100 g of animal fat, and some honey is added to improve the effect. All ingredients are thoroughly stirred. The finished product is stored in a dark place in a container with a tight lid. 
If you have no desire to prepare homemade ointments, you can replace them with decoctions. In this case, the cloth is moistened with a healing liquid and applied to the wound.
Application in cosmetology
Many modern ladies prefer natural care for their skin, body and hair. For them, a coltsfoot is a real source of health. Moreover, it is not at all difficult for a loved one to make a decoction, tincture, or a mask from a healing plant.
Important! In the initial stages of hypertension, a coltsfoot is used to normalize blood pressure.If you regularly apply masks from this plant on your face, the skin will become fresh and clean, fatigue and bags under the eyes will disappear. For the preparation of a universal remedy for all skin types, you will need a handful of leaves in any form pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and let it brew. After half an hour, strain and add 2 teaspoons of liquid honey (the candied product should be barely submerged in a water bath). All mix until a homogeneous consistency. Then mask the cloth and apply it on the face. After 25 minutes, rinse with warm water.
Many beauties simply rub freshly squeezed juice into the skin of exposed areas of the body. As a result, they shine with beauty and health. In addition, the epidermis receives the necessary nutrition, which allows it to maintain its elasticity and color. 
Did you know? With a choking cough, some healers advise you to cook a cigarette from ground grass and smoke them. Alternatively, dry leaves can be poured onto a hot surface and inhale their smoke.Ladies aged cosmetologists recommend every week for 15 minutes to apply a mask of 1 handful of raw materials and 1 cup of sour milk or sour cream. After the specified time, the product is carefully removed with a damp cloth and the face is treated with green tea. After the done manipulations wash.
To get rid of dandruff, wash your head with herbal decoction. They are prepared according to the classical scheme. But in order to strengthen and heal the hair, the prepared liquid must be twice daily processing of dry hair roots. In addition, during this period it is advisable not to use a hairdryer.
Nettle, onions, chard, purslane, willow, echinacea, borage, yarrow, garlic will also help to get rid of dandruff.
Cooking Application
In the spring, when the body suffers from a lack of vitamins, nutrient-fortified foods are very relevant on the table. The leaves and peduncles of the feldspar ordinary are used as an ingredient for salads, and also added to vegetable soups, stews, meat dishes, and sauces are made from it. Mistresses who care about the healthy food of their family, widely use fresh perennial as a spice on a par with parsley and dill. 
Moreover, they are seasoned with omelets, meatloaf rolls, and pies with potatoes. Grass combines well with other vegetables. It can be combined with prunes as well as with garlic and honey. Sweet tooths have found her use even in cheese casserole and sorbet.
Contraindications
Do not recommend therapy to a coltsfoot during pregnancy and lactation, as well as to children up to 12 years of age. The restrictions apply to people with chronic alcohol dependence, suffering from cirrhosis of the liver and with individual intolerance to the components of the plant.
Despite the undeniable benefits of Pobel, ordinary people do not self-medicate. Consultation specialist is important in all cases. Be always healthy and cheerful!
