Coltsfoot

Generic name: Tussilago Farfara L.
Brand names: Coltsfoot, Filius Ante Patrem, Folia Farfarae, Kuan Don Hua, Kuandong Hua

Usage of Coltsfoot

Anti-inflammatory effects

Animal and in vitro data

In vitro and rodent studies (eg, mice with induced colitis or cerebral ischemia) report anti-inflammatory effects of extracts of T. farfara (sesquiterpenoids, tussilagone), including moderation of nitric oxide production and inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B cells, which leads to suppression of cyclooxygenase, inflammatory cytokine, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels.Cheon 2018, Hwang 2018, Jang 2016, Kim 2017, Lim 2015, Qin 2014

Antimicrobial effects

In vitro data

Antimicrobial effects against Bacillus cereus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Staphylococcus aureus have been observed in vitro.Boucher 2018, Kokoska 2002, Zhao 2014

Antioxidant effects

Animal and in vitro data

Several animal and in vitro studies have demonstrated antioxidant effects for coltsfoot, possibly related to its anti-inflammatory and chemo- and neuroprotective effects.Cho 2005, Kang 2016, Kim 2006, Lee 2017, Lee 2018, Li 2012, Li 2012, Lim 2008

Cancer

Animal and in vitro data

In vitro and rodent studies suggest that extracts of coltsfoot may possess activity of relevance in cancer, such as induction of apoptosis in human cancer cell lines.Lee 2014, Li 2014, Qu 2018, Safonova 2018, Safonova 2018

Protective effects of the polysaccharide extract on chemotherapy-induced toxicities have been demonstrated.Safonova 2016, Safonova 2018, Safonova 2018

Cardiovascular effects

Animal data

In dogs, cats, and rats, an alcoholic extract of T. farfara produced a pressor effect similar to that of dopamine; however, no tachyphylaxis was observed. This blood pressure response was associated with increased heart rate.Li 1988, Shikov 2014

Diabetes

In vitro data

In vitro studies suggest extracts of coltsfoot may have applications in diabetes, possibly related to inhibitory activity against diacylglycerol acyltransferase and aldose reductase.Kuroda 2016, Park 2008

Respiratory effects

Animal and in vitro data

Antitussive and expectorant effects of coltsfoot flowers have been investigated in mice.Li 2012, Li 2012, Li 2013, Li 2018 Caffeic acid constituents, as well as other compounds such as tussilagone and sitosterol, are considered active antitussives and expectorants and exhibit additional anti-inflammatory properties.Li 2018, Wu 2016 Tussilagone has been investigated in vitro for mucin regulatory activity, which is important in the production of mucus.Choi 2018

Coltsfoot side effects

Animal studies have demonstrated allergenic potential.(Duke 2002) A warning label regarding the presence of potentially hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids has been recommended for all coltsfoot preparations.(Dangerous Supplements 2010, Kim 2013) A systematic review of case studies published through November 2017 identified 3 cases of adverse reactions related to coltsfoot when combining keyword search terms for pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA)-related harm and coltsfoot, T. farfara. Of the 2 cases considered to be assessable, 1 documented fatal exposure to unsaturated PAs in utero from a multi-herbal tea consumed daily for the duration of pregnancy; the 2nd case was hepatoveno-occlusive disease in an adult female. In contrast to the WHO Uppsala Monitoring Center system that rated these cases as "likely" and "possible," the causality assessment by a toxicologist concluded the harm as very "unlikely" related to coltsfoot considering the presence of other herbs, which also contained pyrrolizidine alkaloids.(Avila 2020)

Before taking Coltsfoot

Avoid use. Preparations may contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids with carcinogenic and mutagenic potential.Blumenthal 2000, Duke 2002, Ernst 2002

How to use Coltsfoot

Clinical trials are lacking to provide dosage recommendations for coltsfoot.

Traditional dosages include 2 to 4 mL of liquid leaf extract or 0.6 to 2 mL of liquid flower extract.Duke 2002

Warnings

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are liver toxins with carcinogenic and mutagenic potential.Blumenthal 2000, Seremet 2016, Shikov 2014 Coltsfoot has been reported to be phototoxic in guinea pig skin.Duke 2002 Development of hepatic tumors has been reported in rats fed coltsfoot in their diet.Duke 2002, Hirono 1976 Case reports exist of both fatal (in a newborn) and reversible (in an 18-month-old child) hepatic vaso-occlusive disease; causality was suspected but not established.Shikov 2014, Sperl 1995 Coltsfoot was implicated in another case report of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in an adult consuming a combination of herbal preparations.Freshour 2012

What other drugs will affect Coltsfoot

None well documented.Chen 2012, Ulbricht 2008 High doses of coltsfoot may interact with cardiovascular medicines.Duke 2002 The constituent tussilagone demonstrates weak antiplatelet and calcium channel blocking activity.Hwang 1987, Liu 2008 Caution is warranted if coltsfoot is used concurrently with anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or antiplatelet agents (eg, aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel).

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