Alternative Medicine Debate: How Safe is Coltsfoot?

Recently on the news, there was a discussion that there were herbal supplements on the market available to the general public that contained unsafe herbs. I had a difficult time listening to the entire report, because the very first herb listed -- aconite -- caused my mouth to drop. I have written about aconite [Dangerous Herbs: Aconite] and have warned others just how dangerous this herb is. I could not imagine that anyone who knew anything about herbs would ever recommend aconite for anything. Yet, the news tells me that some, in my opinion, very irresponsible companies are actually peddling aconite to the general public.

But wait! There is more. Comfrey is on the list. I have also written about this herb [Alternative Medicine Debate: Comfrey], recommending that it not be used internally. Imagine my consternation at learning companies are actually bottling and selling this herb.

Another one of the herbs on the list is coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). Coltsfoot is a perennial herb that few gardeners actually want in their gardens. It is invasive -- spreading quickly -- and extremely difficult to eradicate. The ancient Greeks and Romans, however, were less concerned with its invasiveness and more concerned with its use as a medicinal herb. Its primary use was reflected in the names given it by the Greeks -- bechion -- and the Romans -- tussilago -- both of which mean "cough plant". It has been used for over 2,000 years as a treatment for coughs. In fact, even Native American Indians and later the colonists also used the herb to treat coughs and congestion.

Generally, treatment involved making a strong tea using the leaves. (Sometimes honey and/or licorice would also be added.) Poultices were made from the leaves and roots to treat a variety of ailments, such as burns, erysipelas (or St. Anthony's fire), inflammations, swellings, and wheals. Using coltsfoot as a medicinal herb seemed reasonable, especially to treat coughs and congestion, when you realize that the main active ingredient is mucilage. (Mucilage is a slimy substance that has soothing qualities.)

The problem arose when a study of coltsfoot was conducted by a group of Japanese scientists in 1976. It was determined that using coltsfoot could cause liver cancer. [U.S. National Library of Medicine: Carcinogenic activity of coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara I.] There has been some disagreement, however, over just how dangerous coltsfoot actually is. Some herbalists continue to use it to treat coughs, claiming either that it is only the root that is carcinogenic while the leaves and flowers are perfectly safe or that small dosages are safe. (Coltsfoot contains hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be cancer-causing in high dosages.) Other herbalists have discontinued the use of coltsfoot, recognizing that all parts of the herb can cause -- at the very least -- liver damage and have, therefore, opted to use other herbs whose safety is not in question. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) weighed in and stated that due to the aforementioned alkaloids, coltsfoot should not be used internally, classifying it as having an "undefined safety." The FDA also noted that prolonged use can increase blood pressure plus increase the risk of cancer, liver damage, and even gene mutations.

In my opinion, there is no reason to take coltsfoot when there are so many other herbs available that are quite safe. For example, I prefer to use horehound to treat coughs. [See Medicinal Herbs: Horehound.] While the argument for the use of coltsfoot is that it is fine in small dosages, what is "small"? In addition, people may be ingesting coltsfoot regularly and over a period of time in herbal blends without even realizing it.

Tips: Read the label of any herbal supplements. If there is an ingredient listed with which you are not familiar, find out about it before you decide to take it. As I have said before, just calling something an herb and all-natural does not make it automatically safe.

References:

Drugs.com: Coltsfoot.

Kowalchik, Claire, and William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1998.