What are the Benefits and Harms of Cough Grass?

Cough herb It is an herb that has been used for a long time for its medicinal properties. It is often found in herbal preparations aimed at treating respiratory infections and sore throat.

However, its use is controversial, as one study has shown that some of its key ingredients cause liver damage, blood clots, and even cancer.

What is Cough Grass?

Scientific name tussilago farfara one coltsfoot It is a flower belonging to the daisy family. Chrysanthemum is related to marigold and sunflower. Native to Europe and some parts of Asia, due to its yellow flowers dandelionis similar to either.

Its buds and leaves are sometimes added to herbal teas, syrups and tinctures. In alternative medicine, it is used to treat conditions such as respiratory infections, gout, flu, colds, and fevers.

Cough herbIts homeland is various parts of Europe and Asia. It grows in natural conditions in Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean regions in our country.

The plant mostly likes roadsides and coastlines. It is invasive. It spreads rapidly in the soil where it is found. It is almost odorless and has a bitter taste. It is the first food of honey bees in spring.

It contains many components, mainly mucilage (acidic polysaccharides), tannins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (in very small amounts and only in some variations), steroids (beta sitosterol, campasterol), triterpenes (alpha and beta amirin) and flavonoids. 

What Is Cough Grass Good For?

Small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in the plant have antibacterial properties, cancer-causing and liver-toxic effects.

For this reason, specially grown ones should be used. Mucin polysaccharides have anti-inflammatory and sedative effects. The leaves and flower parts are used medicinally. 

It is used orally in complaints such as asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, throat and mouth inflammation, acute respiratory infections, hoarseness. 

Its use by inhalation provides relief from chest wheezing and coughing. The plant has been found to have a blood thinning effect. In addition, it has been determined that it has anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant properties and effects that protect the nervous system.

The substance tussilagon in its content has the feature of stimulating the respiratory system and the heart and circulatory system. Therefore, it is an effective herb in the treatment of asthma.

It is used to reduce the symptoms of diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough.

It is used in acute respiratory infections, mouth and throat inflammations.

– It has a blood thinning effect.

- Treats hoarseness.

- It is therapeutic in cough suppression and chest wheezing.

What are the Benefits of Cough Grass?

The main components of the plant are mucilage, bitter glycosides and tannins, which give rise to the plant's anti-inflammatory properties and make cough foot beneficial for curing coughs.

Cough herbIt is known as the best herbal medicine to treat cough and bronchial congestion.

Its botanical name, Tussilago, means 'cough reliever'. The plant has been used for this purpose and for relief from other respiratory disorders since prehistoric times.

coltsfoot rootcontains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that may adversely affect the liver.

However, most of these alkaloids are destroyed in the process of boiling the herb, and the herb is safe to use in low doses.

It is particularly useful in the treatment of chronic coughs, such as in the case of emphysema or silicosis.

leaves of coltsfootIt is widely used for medicinal preparations in European countries, and in China, the flowering stem is the preferred ingredient, although the flowers have higher levels of alkaloids.

Although the leaves and flowers are commonly used parts, sometimes the root is also used.

Cough herb also asthma, laryngitis, bronchitis, whooping cough, headache and has also been found to be useful in the treatment of other conditions such as nasal congestion.

The flowers of the plant are also used in making poultices, which are used to get rid of skin problems such as wounds, eczema, ulcers and inflammation.

Which Diseases Is Cough Grass Good For?

Reduces inflammation

It is often used as a natural remedy for inflammatory conditions such as asthma and gout, a type of arthritis that causes swelling and joint pain.

Some studies show that this herb has anti-inflammatory properties. A study, coltsfootIt was found that tussilago, an active ingredient in, reduced several inflammatory markers in mice with colitis.

It is beneficial for brain health

Some research suggests that this herb may help maintain brain health. 

For example, in a test tube study coltsfoot extract prevented nerve cell damage and battled harmful free radicals, compounds that contribute to chronic disease.

Similarly, an animal study has shown that rats coltsfoot extract Its application has shown that it helps protect nerve cells, prevent tissue death in the brain, and reduce inflammation.

Treat chronic cough

In traditional medicine, this herb is often bronchitisIt is used as a natural remedy for respiratory ailments such as asthma and whooping cough.

Animal studies show that the herb may be effective against chronic cough.

An animal study to mice coltsfoot It found that treatment with a mixture of compounds helped to increase sputum secretion, reduce inflammation and reduce cough frequency by up to 62%.

In another mouse study, the oral extract from the flower bud of this herb was found to reduce the frequency of coughs and increase the time between coughs.

What are the Harms of Cough Grass?

While research has identified its beneficial effects on health, there are several serious concerns about its safety. Cough herb Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), compounds that cause acute and chronic liver damage when taken orally.

Some cases show herbal products containing this herb and its serious side effects.

In one study, a woman was coltsfoot tea he drank, resulting in blockage of the blood vessels leading to the liver of his newborn baby.

In another situation, a man coltsfoot and a blood clot developed in his lung after taking several other herbs.

Some PAs are thought to be carcinogenic. Cough herbIt is stated that senesionine and syncycrin, two PAs found in, cause damage and mutations in DNA.

There is insufficient research on the effects of this herb in humans. However, a recent study found that over one year rats were given high amounts. coltsfoot stated that giving it causes 67% of them to develop a rare form of liver cancer. For this reason, its use is prohibited in some countries.

How to Use Cough Grass?

Extracts of this plant are not recommended due to their PA content and are banned in countries such as Germany and Austria. However, scientists have developed variations that are free of these harmful compounds and are believed to be a safe alternative for use in herbal supplements. However, it is wise to be cautious about using them.

Cough herb Not recommended for children, babies or pregnant women. Those with liver disease, heart problems or other underlying health conditions should consult a doctor before using the products of this plant.

What Are the Traditional Uses of Cough Grass?

It acts as a calming, emollient and tonic.

– The powder form of the leaves is useful in the treatment of headaches, drowsiness and nasal congestion.

– It is used externally as a poultice for scrofulous tumors.

– Used to treat chest problems and cough.

It is used in the treatment of chest complaints.

– Useful for respiratory problems, cough, silicosis and chronic emphysema.

The poultice made from flowers provides a soothing effect on skin problems such as eczema, bites, wounds, ulcers and inflammation.

– The leaves, flowers and buds are used to treat throat irritation and dry cough.

– Cough grass It provides relief from asthma.

– It is also useful for conditions such as laryngitis, bronchitis, flu, whooping cough and lung congestion.

– Poultice made from flowers or leaves is applied to wounds, eczema, insect bites and ulcers.

How to Make Cough Tea at Home?

Tea made from the plant, 1,5-2 grams in boiling water coltsfootIt is prepared by boiling it for 5-10 minutes. Tea can be drunk several times a day.

As a result;

Cough herbis a herb that has long been used in herbal medicines to treat respiratory conditions, gout, flu, cold and fever.

Scientific studies link many health benefits such as low inflammation, brain damage, and cough. However, it contains several toxins and can cause serious harm, including liver damage and cancer.

So, find PA-free varieties to minimize health risk.