Lungwort for chronic coughs and asthma
Lungwort, Pulmonaria officinalis (sometimes labeled Pulmonaria maculata), has many other names, including Spotted Dog, Mary and Joseph, Soldiers and Sailors, Jerusalem Cowslip and Bethlehem Sage. It is not related to sage or cowslips, though.
Lungwort is a woodland plant, and grows happily in full shade or semi-shade, preferring moist soil, although it will grow anywhere shady if there’s plenty of humus. It’s a hardy perennial (right down to -20ºC/-4ºF) and has the unusual trait of producing flowers of different colors on the same plant. These appear from March to May and are useful to bees as an early nectar source.
Make a standard infusion with leaves and flowering tops, using 2-3 teaspoonfuls of fresh or 1-2 teaspoonfuls of dried herb to 1 cup of boiling water. Allow to stand for at least 10 minutes, strain and sip slowly or allow to cool for external use. You can use this to treat coughs such as chronic bronchitis, asthma and sore throats, as well as diarrhea. Externally, it can be used on cuts and grazes and also as a treatment for piles. The leaves can also be used fresh to stop bleeding – which is most likely where the names Jerusalem Cowslip and Bethlehem Sage came from.
As with all herbs used for remedial purposes, it’s important to grow Lungwort organically, so that toxic chemicals are not included in your remedy. To find out more about growing organic lungwort, visit the Gardenzone.
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