Coltsfoot Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Ass's Foot, Brandlattich, Bullsfoot, British Tobacco, Coughwort, Chasse-Toux, Fieldhove, Farfarae Folium Leaf, Flower Velure, Filuis Ante Patrem, Foalswort, Foal's Foot, Guflatich, Herbe aux Pattes, Hallfoot, Horsefoot, Herbe de Saint-Guérin, Horsehoof, Kwandong Hwa, Kuandong Hua, Pas d'Ane, Pas Diane, Pas-d'Âne, Pas d'Âne, Pferdefut, Pas-de-Baudet, Plisson, Pied-de-Cheval, Procheton, Taconnet, Tussilage Pas d'Âne, Tussilage, Uña de Caballo
Scientific Name
Tussilago Farfara
Why Do People Use Coltsfoot?
The oral preparations of Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot), like coltsfoot powder, are used for multiple purposes like for asthma, bronchitis, pertussis, laryngitis, sore throat issues, acute respiratory tract mucous membrane inflammation with cough and hoarseness, mild or acute inflammation of the pharyngeal and oral mucosa.
Inhalation Purposes - Wheezing and coughing are the main purposes why people use coltsfoot.
Is It Safe To Use?
Possibly Unsafe - It is possibly unsafe when coltsfoot containing hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) constituents is utilized orally. Exposure to low dose of hepatotoxic PAs could result in serious veno-occlusive disorder. Hepatotoxic PAs may also have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. So patients are advised not to utilize coltsfoot products that are not marked as hepatotoxic PA – free.
Possibly Unsafe for Pregnant Females - Utilization of coltsfoot powder is considered unsafe for pregnant women if used via oral route. Due to its pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) constituents, coltsfoot powder may be hepatotoxic and teratogenic. However, there is lack of authentic information regarding the safety of coltsfoot products that do not contain hepatotoxic PAs for pregnant females.
Possibly Unsafe in Lactation - Utilization of coltsfoot is considered unsafe for lactating females if utilized orally. Its constituent of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) may be excreted in milk. However, there is lack of authentic information regarding the safety of such products that do not contain hepatotoxic PAs for lactation.
How Effective Is Coltsfoot?
To rate the effectiveness of coltsfoot powder, there is lack of authentic information available.
How Coltsfoot Works?
The most effective part of Tussilago farfara is its leaves. According to recent clinical studies, it has been recommended that coltsfoot may restrain platelet aggression by hindering the combination of platelet activating factor (PAF) into platelet layers. Coltsfoot powder may likewise have anti-inflammatory activity by blocking arachidonic acid producing system. Initial studies also suggest that ethyl acetic acid derivate of coltsfoot may have neuroprotective and antioxidant activity. Tussilagone, a constituent of coltsfoot, has respiratory and cardiovascular stimulating activity, which may clarify its utilization for asthma. Coltsfoot powder appears to have antibacterial properties as well.
Coltsfoot powder contains different pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), some of them have toxic nature. PAs are most abundant in the plant roots but might be found in all plant parts. PAs, especially unsaturated PAs, can result in hepatotoxicity. Cyclic diesters, for example, senecionine and retrorsine are the most hepatotoxic. PA may cause damage to the liver due to the oxidative stress it generates but the exact mechanism of PA toxicity is still poorly understood. Only one dose of 10 to 20 mg PAs or chronic ingestion of minimum 10 mcg can result in veno-occlusive disorder.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Coltsfoot?
Orally coltsfoot powder may cause toxicity. The big concern regarding preparation of coltsfoot is the hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA). PA compounds are pneumotoxic, hepatotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. Chronic exposure to different plants containing hepatotoxic PA constituents is related with veno-occlusive potential. Subacute veno-occlusive disorder causes vague manifestations with liver enlargement. Manifestations of intense veno-occlusive disease include colic pain, diarrhea and vomiting, and ascites production within some days. Induration and growth of the liver happens within a couple of weeks. There is one case about deadly hepatic veno-occlusive disease in a neonate related with normal maternal utilization of an herbal tea during pregnancy, containing number of pyrrolizidine alkaloid herbs including coltsfoot.
Coltsfoot powder may cause an allergic side effects in those people who are sensitive to the members of Compositae / Asteraceae family. Plants in this family include chrysanthemums, marigolds, ragweed, daisies, and some other herbs as well.
How Coltsfoot Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Antiplatelet / Anticoagulant Supplements and Herbs - Using Tussilago farfara with combination of different herbs and supplements may be responsible for platelet aggregation, which may enhance the potential bleeding risks in some individuals. Some of these herbs include danshen, clove, garlic, ginseng, angelica, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, ginger and other herbs.
Herbs containing Hepatotoxic Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid (PA) - Usage of a combination that includes coltsfoot powder and herbs that contain hepatotoxic Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid (PA) is contraindicated because it may cause additive toxicity for the liver. Herbs in this category include boneset, alkanna, butterbur, borage, comfrey, coltsfoot, gravel root, forget-me-not, hound's tongue, hemp agrimony, groundsel, tansy ragwort and golden ragwort.
Supplements and Herbs with Hypotensive Effects - According to some preliminary researches, coltsfoot powder may also have hypotensive effects. It is also suggested that combination of herbs that possess hypotensive effects with Tussilago farfara may enhance the hypotension risks in some individuals. Such herbs include casein peptides, andrographis, theanine, cat's claw, theanine, fish oil, L-arginine, stinging nettle, lycium, and other herbs.
Cytochrome Inducing Herbs - Herbs that induce CYP3A4 might enhances the conversion of hepatotoxic PAs into toxic metabolites, therefore increasing toxicity. Such herbs include garlic, echinacea, St. John's wort, schisandra and licorice.
How Coltsfoot Interacts With Drugs?
Antiplatelet / Anticoagulant Drugs - Interaction between antiplatelet / anticoagulant drugs and coltsfoot powder is moderate so be careful of this mixture. Using this combination may enhance the potential bleeding risks because of decrease in platelet aggregation activity. Few such drugs include clopidogrel (Plavix), aspirin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), warfarin (Coumadin), dalteparin (Fragmin), ticlopidine (Ticlid), heparin and some other herbs.
Antihypertensive Drugs - Interaction rating between antihypertensive drugs and Tussilago farfara is moderate so be careful of this combination. Over dosage of coltsfoot might interfere with the effects of cardiovascular or antihypertensive therapy.
How Coltsfoot Interacts With Foods?
There is no known interaction between coltsfoot powder and various food items.
How Coltsfoot Interacts With Lab Tests?
There is no known interaction between Tussilago farfara and lab tests.
How Coltsfoot Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Cross-Allergenicity - Coltsfoot powder may be responsible for allergic side effects in those patients who are sensitive to Compositae / Asteraceae family. Members of this family include chrysanthemums, daisies, ragweed, marigolds, and other herbs.
Liver Disease - Hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), which is most active constituent, may worsen liver disease.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Coltsfoot?
There is no typical dosage of coltsfoot.
Comments
None.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
