Coltsfoot: A Voice From The Edge Of Spring

Coltsfoot, or Tussilago farfara, is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring. Often found along roadsides, in damp ditches, and growing up through gravel and cracks in concrete, this resilient little plant is a familiar sight in disturbed places—construction sites, urban edges, and anywhere the soil has been shifted.

In early spring, I always feel a quiet joy in spotting these bright yellow blooms. Though I no longer use coltsfoot medicinally, I still pause each year to witness it—like a familiar friend arriving with the season’s turning.

A Curious Plant: Identity Before the Leaves

Coltsfoot is unique in that it flowers before it puts out its leaves. The blossoms resemble dandelions at first glance, but look closely—its fleshy, scaly stems and early solitary blooms are distinctive. The large, hoof-shaped leaves (which inspired its common name) appear after the flowering is finished.

It belongs to the Asteraceae family, alongside plants like dandelion, chamomile, and calendula.

Traditional Uses & Historical Context

The Latin name Tussilago farfara gives us a clue about its traditional role: tussis means cough, and tussilago translates as “cough dispeller.”

Historically, the aerial parts—flowers and leaves—were made into teas or syrups to ease:

• Dry, persistent coughs
• Acute bronchitis
• Asthma and emphysema
• Sore throats and hoarseness

It was also used in smoking blends, which may seem counterintuitive today. But delivering plant constituents directly to the lungs was considered effective, especially for respiratory complaints. In folk traditions across Europe and North America, this was one way to address respiratory issues when other methods weren’t available.

In external use, coltsfoot was applied as a poultice for boils, ulcers, and abscesses.

Historical references to its use can be found in:

• Nicholas Culpeper’s Complete Herbal (1653), where he describes it as “one of the best plant medicines for the lungs.”
• Maud Grieve’s A Modern Herbal (1931), which details its botanical actions and cautions even then about potential long-term use.

Modern Research & Ethical Considerations

While coltsfoot has a long history of medicinal use, modern research has revealed that it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)—compounds that can accumulate in the liver over time, potentially causing liver damage or failure, especially when used in excess or over prolonged periods.

Because of this, many clinical herbalists today choose not to use coltsfoot internally, particularly when safer alternatives are available.

Personally, I believe this is a place for humility. When new information arises about harm, it’s an opportunity to practice what we preach—to do no harm. There’s no need to double down on tradition if the risks outweigh the benefits, especially when other effective remedies are within reach.

That said, I still feel a connection to coltsfoot as a seasonal marker. It blooms boldly, before other plants wake, offering a small flash of gold against the grey of late March. I don’t harvest it. I don’t work with it medicinally. But I notice it. I greet it. I reflect on what it offers through presence alone.

Energetics, Symbolism, and Seasonal Wisdom

Coltsfoot is often viewed as:

• Soothing
• Moistening
• Protective

Its energy might resonate with those who feel raw, exposed, or silenced—those needing a softening balm in harsh conditions.

It grows in damp, cold, and compacted soil, offering beauty where most other plants can’t. Symbolically, it can be a reminder of the emergence of voice—that we can begin to speak, to bloom, even before we feel fully formed.

Some associate it with the throat chakra, offering courage to speak one’s truth, especially in uncertain or imperfect conditions.

In my YouTube meditation on coltsfoot, I explored these themes and asked:

What is blooming in me before I feel ready?
What can I learn from a plant that flowers first, and figures out the rest later?

Carry the Voice with You: Coltsfoot Reflection Ritual

If you feel called to carry the energy of this plant with you, consider creating a small amulet:

• Harvest a single flower (ethically, and where abundant)
• Wrap it in cloth, place it in a small pouch, or simply hold it in your pocket for a day
• As you carry it, return to the question:
  What truth is rising in me before I feel ready to speak it?
  Let coltsfoot remind you that voice and presence can come before perfection.

Safer Herbal Alternatives

If you’re looking for ways to support the lungs and skin without the risks associated with coltsfoot, here are some well-loved allies to consider:

For Coughs & Respiratory Support:

• Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) – soothing and lung-supportive
• Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – moistening, anti-inflammatory
• Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) – demulcent antiinflammatory for dry, irritated tissues
• Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare) – antispasmodic and expectorant
• Elecampane (Inula helenium) – warming, good for wet, stubborn coughs
• Garden Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) – antibacterial and anti-tussive

For Skin Support or Energetic “Dampness”:

• Plantain (Plantago major/lanceolata) – found nearly everywhere, amazing for bites, stings, scratches
• Chickweed (Stellaria media) – cooling and soothing, especially for itching and irritation
• Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) – supportive for minor injuries and inflammation
• Calendula (Calendula officinalis) – anti-inflammatory and wound-healing

And for a moment of reflection:
Which plants show up in tough places in your own life?
What strength or message do they offer you?

Final Thoughts

Coltsfoot has become, for me, less of a remedy and more of a seasonal companion.

I welcome its return each spring—not to use it, but to witness it.
It reminds me that something can bloom even before it is fully known.

If you’d like to explore this theme more deeply, I invite you to join me for a gentle YouTube meditation with coltsfoot.

And if you’re curious about plant energetics, seasonal reflection, and nature-based healing, feel free to sign up for my newsletter:

A Friendly Reminder:

This blog is meant to offer educational and reflective content from an experiential herbalist’s perspective. It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health care provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing health conditions.

Let this be a place of curiosity, care, and responsible connection.