ΒΗΧΙΟΝ
Tussilago farfara
(Coltsfoot)
Botanical info:
Coltsfoot is a perennial herbaceous plant that spreads by seeds and rhizomes. The flowers bear scale-leaves on the long stems in early spring. The leaves appear after the flowers have set seed. It grows naturally in waste and disturbed places and along roadsides and paths. Its native in the Europe, Asia, and northwest Africa. Flowering from March to April.
Hippocratic legacy:
a. In Fractures:
a. Coltsfoot leaves are used for the preparation of an ointment applied in fractured ankles.
Other uses:
Coltsfoot has been used in herbal medicine and has been consumed as a food product with some confectionery products, such as Coltsfoot Rock. Its leaves have been used internally (as tea or syrup) or externally (directly applied) for treatment of disorders of the respiratory tract, skin, locomotor system, viral infections, flu, colds, fever, rheumatism, and gout An extract of the fresh leaves has also been used to make cough drops and hard candy.