Chris Holland from Wholeland discusses the many uses for Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). A member of the Daisy family, Coltsfoot is one of the first plants to flower during the year. It appears at about the same time as the Crocuses start showing up.
You should know that this plant sprouts from waste ground, often very waterlogged places, rough ground, edges of woodlands, building sites and those kind of places.
Coltsfoot has beautiful, bright yellow flowers with slightly scaly stalks, and the flowers have a delicious honey like taste.
You can eat Coltsfoot stalks or flowers fresh. The flowers come out way before the leaves and appear around the beginning of February (depending on your location), and the leaves don’t come out until about May time.
Coltsfoot flowers, leaves & root have been found to contain the hepatotoxic (poisonous to the liver) pyrrolizidine alkaloid senkirkine. For research into the possible carniogenic effects of Coltsfoot, read this.
Watch the video to learn more uses for this wonderful sunny plant such as Coltsfoot Scotch Pancakes, Cough Syrup etc.
Running time: 4:36
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coltsfoot looks good,time to try some
Hi Chris, nice piece on the wonderful coltsfoot – it makes a lovely country wine too, great for sipping round the autumn fires.
Also, the tip on putting coltsfoot flowers into a jar of honey is great, it’s got me thinking more about what other precious seasonal bounties could be preserved in honey, cheers.