Lungwort is used in Europe for treating lung diseases, including bronchitis, wet coughs, whooping cough, asthma, tuberculosis, chest, pulmonary and respiratory problems caused by phlegm and infections.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is a flowering plant with purple flowers and wide leaves. Lungwort is native to Europe. The leaves are used for medicinal purposes. Lungwort is one of traditional European medicinal herbs.
Uses and benefits of lungwort
Lungwort has astringent, antibiotic, diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant properties. It removes mucus (phlegm, excess fluids), reduces infections and bleedings in chest and lungs. Therefore it is used treat pulmonary and chest problems caused by phlegm and infections, such as chronic bronchitis, wet coughs, whooping cough, asthma, and tuberculosis, etc.
How to use lungwort
Lungwort leaves are harvested in the spring and dried for later medicinal use. Lungwort leaves can be used to make a herbal tea or herbal tincture, or combined with other herbs to make a decoction. Lungwort leaves can also be eaten as a vegetable. You can use it to make a salad or cook with meat and fish. When you suffer from a cough, eating a lungwort onion salad or a lungwort chicken soup may help relieve the symptoms.
1. Lungwort tea
– Dried lungwort leaves 1-2 teaspoons
– Boiling water 1 cup
– Steep for 15 minutes
– Strain
– Drink it, 2-3 times a day
2. Lungwort tincture
– Fill dried lungwort leaves in a jar
– Pour grain alcohol (55%-85%) into the jar to cover the herb
– Tighten the cap
– Leave for 4 weeks
– Strain and store in a bottle
– Consume 1-3ml with a cup of water, twice a day
3. Lungwort formula
– Lungwort 10g
– Mullein 10g
– Barrel skid 30g
– Lichen 10g
– Put the herbs in a pot with 2 cups of water
– Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes
– Strain and add 2 cups of water to the strained herb
– Boil and simmer for 15 minutes
– Strain and mix two extracts
– Drink 1/3 of the liquid, 3 times a day
4. Lungwort salad
– Fresh lungwort 300g
– Onion 100g
– Boiled eggs (finely chopped) 2
– Salt 1/3 teaspoon (or to taste)
– Sour cream 1 teaspoon (or to taste)
– Wash and cut lungwort and onion into pieces
– Mix them together to make a salad
– Serve
– Tips: You can use carrot, beet root or other vegetable instead of onion, and add garlic, pepper or other spices
5. Lungwort soup and dish
– Fresh lungwort (chopped) 100g
– Add it to a soup with salt, pepper, sour cream and butter to taste
– Or use it to side dishes
You may find lungwort products in forms of tea, tincture or capsules in a supplement store. Follow the instructions on the labels about dosage and warnings, or consult a health care provider, before using it.
Cautions
Lungwort has mild effects to help treat some types of chest, lung, pulmonary and respiratory problems, but if you suffer from a severe disease, you should seek medical care without a delay as a remedy may only help the treatment. You should not rely on it for treating your disease. Be sure to consult your pharmacist or physician before using a remedy.
References
- Pulmonarias and the Borage Family, Bennett, M. 2003, B.T.Batsford, 240pp. ISBN 0-7134-8732-1
- British Herbal Pharmocopaeia. British Herbal Med Assoc. Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983
