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 | Lungwort Other Names: Jerusalem Cowslip. Oak Lungs. Lung Moss
Botanical Name: Sticta pulmonaria
Family: N.O. Lichenes |
Description: |
The stem grows about a foot high, bearing rough, alternate, egg-shaped leaves, the lower ones stalked, and the flowers in a terminal inflorescence, red before expanding and pale purple when fully open.
The leaves of this plant, which are the part that has been used in medicine, have no peculiar smell, but when fresh have a slight astringent and mucilaginous taste, hence they have been supposed to be demulcent and pectoral, and have been used in coughs and lung catarrhs in the form of an infusion.
Its popular and Latin names seem to have been derived from the speckled appearance of the leaves resembling that of the lungs, and their use in former days was partly founded on the doctrine of signatures.
The Lungwort sold by druggists to-day is not this species, but a Moss, known also as Oak Lungs and Lung Moss.
The Lungwort formerly held a place in almost every garden, under the name of 'Jerusalem Cowslip'; and it was held in great esteem for its reputed medicinal qualities in diseases of the lungs.
Sir J. E. Smith says that:
'every part of the plant is mucilaginous, but its reputation for coughs arose not from this circumstance, but from the speckled appearance of the leaves, resembling the lungs!' |
Habitat: |
| Lungwort, a member of the Borage tribe, is found in woods and thickets, but is not common, and is by some only regarded as an escape from gardens, where it is cultivated now mostly for the sake of its ornamental leaves, which are curiously spotted with white. |
Medicinal Usage: |
An infusion of 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb to a cup of boiling water is taken several times a day for subduing inflammation, and for its healing effect in pulmonary complaints.
Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm. |
Ancient Lore: |
LUNGWORT PULMONARIA OFFICINALIS
It is of great use in diseases of the lungs.
The plant Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is recognised by its spotted leaves and violet-blue flowers. There is also a kind of moss (Sticta pulmonaria) with broad, greyish, rough leaves, which has similar properties.
Where to find it: The moss grows on Oak and Beech trees and is also known as Oak Lungs. The flowering Lungwort is found in woods and shady places.
Flowering time: Pulmonaria officinalis flowers in spring. Sticta pulmonaria flowers not.
Astrology: Jupiter owns this herb
Medicinal virtues: For coughs,. wheezings and shortness of breath. As anastringent it can be used in lotions to stay the moist humours that flow to ulcers and hinder their healing. It is also used to wash ulcers of the privy parts. It is drying and binding and will stop inward bleeding and too great a flux of the menses.As a syrup it is good for consumptions and disorders of the chest and as a remedy against the yellow jaundice.
Modern uses: Because the name Lungwort has been applied to both a. flowering plant and a moss there has been confusion among even the best herbal writers, who have mixed up the slightly differing attributes of both remedies, and even the common names. It is Pulmonaria officinalis that is commonly known as Jerusalem Cowslip, and is the 'Lungwort' rnainly used by modern herbalists. This is emollient, expectorant and astringent. It is used as an infusion, the whole plant being collected in late spring and dried. It will be found useful for most respiratory conditions, including coughs, bronchitis, pharyngitis and bronchial catarrh. For coughs use equal parts of Colt's Foot and Lungwort. The infusion of Lungwort is also indicated for those with haemorrhoids and simple diarrhoea. |
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