What Is the Herb Coltsfoot Used for, and How Does It Differ From Dandelions?

Coltsfoot is a popular herb. It’s often confused with dandelion, but there are some differences.

Coltsfoot, species name Tussilago farfara, is a common weed native to Europe and Asia. Its scientific name is based on that of the white poplar tree, which has similar leaves and was previously known as farfarus. It’s also sometimes called coughwort, butterbur, or bullsfoot. 

Herbalists commonly used coltsfoot leaf in tea or as a tincture for coughs, colds, and other lung issues. Many cultures also eat the flowers and leaves as vegetables. Coltsfoot is still a popular herb today, and you can find coltsfoot supplements and dried herbs in pharmacies and health food stores.

Coltsfoot is rich in compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which have been linked to a few cases of poisoning. Experts warn that herbs with these compounds could be dangerous and point to lab/animal studies that show possible toxicity. These alkaloids aren’t toxic until they enter your body, though, and start to break down. 

There is also debate about these alleged dangers. PA compounds are found in ordinary foods like eggs, milk, honey, and meat, and some studies suggest you might get more exposure from components of your regular diet than you would get from an herbal product. Warnings are also based on early research with potentially unreliable results.  

Of course, it’s wise to exercise caution. You can find certified PA-free coltsfoot dietary supplements, which are the safest option. If you can’t confirm the supplement or product is PA-free, avoid it or use it only on skin that is free of cuts or sores.  

Coltsfoot looks very similar to a dandelion, but there are a few key differences. Dandelions are a different species known as Taraxacum officinale, which has distinct health benefits.

Identification

Both plants have large, yellow flower heads and are commonly mistaken for each other. The best way to tell them apart is to look at the center of the flower head. 

Dandelions open into a parachute or disc-like shape and have strap-like blades called ligules across the entire head, even at the center. Coltsfoot, on the other hand, is flat-faced with long ligules around the outer rim of the flower and small, short disc florets in the center. The dandelion stem is also smooth, whereas coltsfoot has small leaves.

Compounds

Coltsfoot and dandelions have different chemistry. Coltsfoot is rich in essential oils, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sugars, and caffeic acid, while dandelion is rich in a carbohydrate called inulin, sugars, minerals, fatty acids, and mucilage. More importantly, dandelions don’t have pyrrolizidine alkaloids. 

Uses

Coltsfoot and dandelion are often used the same way: as a vegetable, tea, tincture, or dietary supplement. Dandelion greens are also added to salads. 

These plants have different health benefits, though. Whereas coltsfoot is used to treat coughs, colds, lung problems, wounds, and injuries, dandelion is often used to promote liver health, blood sugar balance, and spleen health. 

People have used coltsfoot as medicine for a long time. While there might be some risks associated with this plant, modern research shows it might also have some benefits. 

Rich in polyphenols

Coltsfoot is rich in plant chemicals called polyphenols, including a specific type called flavonoids. Plants use these chemicals to defend against germs and insects, and they also affect human health.

Luteolin, for example, has antioxidant properties. This means it helps neutralize unstable molecules in the body and can block damage to DNA, fats, and proteins. 

Antimicrobial activity

Herbalists and traditional cultures have used coltsfoot to treat infections for a long time. Modern research shows that oils present in coltsfoot inhibit the growth of a broad mix of germs, giving this plant antiviral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties. 

Some studies even showed that coltsfoot blocks E. coli growth, though other studies on coltsfoot compounds showed no such effect. Researchers believe the germ-fighting actions come from the compounds working together rather than a single chemical. 

Anti-cancer activity

Coltsfoot might also have anti-cancer properties. Lab dish studies show that compounds in coltsfoot flowers can block blood vessel growth. This type of vessel growth is called angiogenesis, and it can promote the spread of cancer cells.  

This doesn’t necessarily mean that coltsfoot treats cancer, though. The coltsfoot extract was applied directly to cells in a lab dish, which doesn’t reflect real-life use in cancer treatment, though this treatment does show promise. Researchers recommend doing more research to see if any compounds in coltsfoot could be made into a new cancer drug. 

Might protect brain cells

Researchers have also looked at how coltsfoot affects brain cells. Some diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, occur when inflammation or other reactions trigger immune cells in the brain (microglia). These microglia release chemicals that kill brain and nerve cells, leading to disease. 

In lab dish studies, scientists induced a microglia reaction in brain cells and then treated them with coltsfoot extract. They found that coltsfoot blocked the cells from producing inflammatory chemicals like nitric oxide and prostaglandins. 

Coltsfoot also blocked cell damage and death, suggesting that it has a protective effect on brain cells and could be a potential treatment. More research is necessary, though. 

Might help with bowel disease

Bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are chronic autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines. These conditions cause bleeding, diarrhea, weight loss, fevers, and a high risk of bowel cancer. Early animal studies show that coltsfoot might help, though. 

Researchers tested coltsfoot on mice with colitis. Specifically, they isolated a compound from coltsfoot called tussilagone and gave it to the mice. The coltsfoot treatment seemed to help protect the subjects from colitis, reducing harmful effects like weight loss and inflammation of the bowels. 

Current research is limited, though, so more research is necessary. 

Coltsfoot has a long history as a natural medicine. Some experts warn it could lead to poisoning, but others say the evidence for this is weak. If you plan to take coltsfoot, look for certified PA-free supplements and limit your use to a course of 2 weeks. Talk to your doctor beforehand.