Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) vs Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

About

Coltsfoot is a perennial herb growing to 12 inches with flowering stems covered in purple scales, yellow-gold flowers, and heart-shaped leaves. Indigenous to Europe and northern Asia and naturalized in North America, it is commonly found along roadsides, on verges, and in open areas. The flowers are gathered in late winter, and the leaves in summer.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is an upright biennial reaching up to about 6½ ft (2 m), with distinctive gray-green, oval to lance-shaped leaves that are softly hairy, and tall spikes of bright yellow flowers. The leaves and flowers both contain saponins. Asthma and COPD need medical care.

Safety & precautions

Liver toxicity: Coltsfoot contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. LiverTox describes these compounds as able to cause sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, a serious form of liver injury, and in 2001 the U.S. FDA advised that supplements containing comfrey or other plants that supply these alkaloids be removed from the market. Do not take coltsfoot by mouth. Do not use it during pregnancy, when breastfeeding, or for children. Subject to legal restrictions in some countries.

Seeds: Contain rotenone, which is poisonous - avoid using or ingesting them. Allergies: Rare but possible contact dermatitis from the leaves.

Safety text above is printed in full and is never abbreviated. For each plant’s complete precautions, drug and food interactions and preparation notes, open its own page - both are free.