-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Pulmonaria officinalis (Lungwort)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Pulmonaria officinalis, Sticta pulmonaria

synonyms: lungwort, lungmoss, oak lungs

» note: often confused with Lobaria pulmonaria (lungwort moss), a lichen, which is also an expectorant and demulcent

part(s) used: leaves and flowers

qualities: sweet, bitter, cool

affinities: lungs

actions: demulcent, expectorant, astringent, vulnerary, mucilaginous, pectoral

dosage:

» infusion: 1 tsp. herb to one cup water; drink 1 - 3 cups per day

» tincture: 1 - 4 ml.

» leaf: 2 - 4 ml.

therapy: asthma, coughs, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract catarrh, diarrhea, cuts and wounds

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1

toxicity: 2; see pyrollizidine alkaloid toxidrome

» contraindicated during pregnancy (Brinker, pp. 91, 110)

» warning against use by children due to sensitivity to pyrollizidine alkaloids (Brinker, p. 91)

» may produce dermatitis (Fuller and McClintock, p. 370)

constituents: mucin, allantoin, saponins, pyrollizidine alkaloids

footnotes

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.