Coltsfoot is an old medicinal plant that grows in the wild in this country. Anyone can track them down and collect their flowers or leaves. Many value the plant not only as a medicinal product, but also as a tasty salad. But there is always talk of toxins. Is there something to it?
Is coltsfoot poisonous?
Coltsfoot contains the toxic substance pyrrolizidine alkaloid, but in very small amounts that are considered safe for regular consumption. Coltsfoot is therefore largely safe as a wild herb and medicinal plant, but it is better to avoid it if you are unsure.
Coltsfoot – an edible plant
Coltsfoot contains many ingredients, most of which are well tolerated and he althy for us humans. These are for example:
- Iron
- Potassium
- calcium
- Silica
- Magnesium
- and zinc
Since these ingredients also have a mild taste, coltsfoot leaves are a delicious addition to light spring salads for connoisseurs of the wild plant family.
Tip
The younger the coltsfoot leaves are, the more tender and better they taste.
Wild herbs with healing properties
In addition to the substances listed above, the wild herb also contains mucilage and tannins that provide relief from bronchial diseases. In 1994 coltsfoot was even chosen as medicinal plant of the year.
Bad reputation
Coltsfoot undoubtedly contains many valuable ingredients. But it also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloid. This is a substance that is suspected of being liver-damaging. When this suspicion arose, the collection and use of this medicinal herb abruptly declined.
It depends on the quantity
We now know that the toxic substance pyrrolizidine alkaloid only occurs in very small quantities in coltsfoot. It is so low that even regular consumption of coltsfoot is likely to be harmless. However, many people don't take the chance and prefer to avoid this wild herb. But this means they are missing out on a tasty and still he althy herb.
