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.