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Coltsfoot

Coltsfoot is a plant whose leaves are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, coltsfoot is used for lung problems such as bronchitis, asthma and whooping cough. Coltsfoot is also used for upper respiratory complaints including inflammation of the mouth, sore throats, coughs and hoarseness. Some people inhale coltsfoot for coughs and breathing difficulties.

How does coltsfoot work?

The chemicals contained in coltsfoot could combat pain and inflammatory swelling.

How effective is coltsfoot?

There is not enough scientific data to say how effective coltsfoot is for treating asthma, sore throats, coughs, bronchitis, hoarseness, breathing problems and laryngitis. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of coltsfoot for these conditions.

Safety and side effects

Coltsfoot is not considered safe and harmless. Coltsfoot contains chemicals called hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can cause liver damage or cancer. Many supplements containing coltsfoot do not state the amount of pyrrolizidine alkaloids they contain. If the product is not certified free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it is quite possible that it contains these liver-damaging chemicals. For this reason, you should not use products that are not certified free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Precautions and warnings

Coltsfoot is not considered safe or safe for anyone, but some people should take special care to avoid coltsfoot products:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: coltsfoot contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are harmful to the liver and can cause birth defects and liver damage. It is not known whether coltsfoot products that are free from pyrrolizidine alkaloids are safe and harmless during pregnancy. Lactating women should also avoid coltsfoot. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are harmful to the liver, can pass into breast milk. It is not known whether coltsfoot products that are free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids are safe and harmless during breastfeeding. For these reasons, it is best for pregnant and breastfeeding women to avoid all coltsfoot products. Allergies to broomweed and related plants: Coltsfoot could cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this plant family include broomsedge, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies and many others. If you suffer from allergies, you should consult your doctor before taking Benedict's wort. High blood pressure and heart disease: There are concerns that ingesting large amounts of coltsfoot may interfere with the treatment of these conditions. For this reason, people suffering from any of these conditions should avoid coltsfoot. Liver disorders: There are concerns that potentially liver-damaging pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in coltsfoot may exacerbate liver disorders. For this reason, people suffering from liver disease should avoid coltsfoot.

Interactions

Care should be taken when using coltsfoot in combination with the following medications:

Medication for high blood pressure

Excessive doses of coltsfoot appear to increase blood pressure. By increasing blood pressure, coltsfoot may reduce the effectiveness of high blood pressure medications. Drugs that accelerate the breakdown of other drugs by the liver Coltsfoot is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals produced when coltsfoot is broken down by the liver can be harmful. Medications that accelerate the breakdown of coltsfoot by the liver may increase the toxic effects of coltsfoot breakdown products.

Drugs that slow down blood clotting

Coltsfoot could slow down blood clotting. Taking coltsfoot in conjunction with medications that also slow blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise. Some medications that can slow blood clotting include aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen, naproxen and others.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of coltsfoot depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to be able to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for coltsfoot. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

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