Lungwort is a popular ornamental plant but also an effective medicinal herb. It is also known under the names lungwort, blue cowslip, deer cabbage or wood ox tongue, among others. You can cultivate lungwort yourself and use it in the kitchen.
What are the properties of lungwort?
Lungwort is an effective medicinal herb native to Central Europe. It prefers shady locations and slightly moist soil. In folk medicine it is used for coughs, asthma, bronchitis, diarrhea and hemorrhoids.
What does lungwort look like?
In spring, the lungwort shows its first red, later blue flowers, which are somewhat reminiscent of the cowslip. Only when the flowers wither around June does the rosette of leaves develop. The leaves often have whitish spots, which is why the herb is also called spotted lungwort.
Where does lungwort grow?
The real lungwort is native to Central and Southeastern Europe. There it prefers to grow in deciduous forests and on rather shady forest edges. It also feels quite comfortable under bushes.
Can I plant lungwort in my garden?
The real lungwort is very suitable for growing in the garden. It prefers a shady to semi-shady location, preferably near deciduous trees. The soil should not be too firm, but can be loosened slightly with sand or gravel if necessary.
If you want to cultivate lungwort on the balcony, then it should not face south, it should be located to the west or even north. Make sure that the soil does not dry out too much but always remains slightly moist, but at the same time avoid waterlogging.
The most important things in brief:
- effective medicinal herb
- Location: preferably shady to partially shaded
- Soil: not too firm and slightly moist
How does lungwort work?
Like aloe vera, lungwort is often used to treat wounds because it has an astringent effect. Lungwort also has a hemostatic, diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant effect. In folk medicine it is used against simple coughs, asthma and bronchitis or for chilblains, diarrhea and hemorrhoids.
Areas of application of the real lungwort:
- cough
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Diarrhea
- Hemorrhoids
- Chilblains
- cutaneous ringworm
- small wounds
- Colds
- Bladder problems
Tip
The dried leaves can be used to make a tea that can be drunk for colds or used for compresses to heal wounds. But do not confuse the real lungwort with the Indian lungwort, which has a completely different effect.
