Lungwort

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is a natural reservoir of cough medicine. People still believe that lungwort’s leaves are shaped like the human lungs for a reason. An ancient theory, outdated as it is, tells us that many plants bear the shape of our internal organs in order to guide us and make us understand their beneficial properties.

Pulmonaria officinalis can be found in many regions of the globe especially near the deep forests. It has some beautiful purple, pink and sometimes white flowers but only the leaves and sometimes the roots have medicinal value. The leaves can be picked up in summer and set to dry. The tea doesn’t have a very distinctive taste but it has some good antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

As stated before, the main use of the lungwort is the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, laryngitis, tracheitis and it is deemed useful even in cases of tuberculosis. A beverage containing a mixture of lungwort and some other medicinal plants has calming, emollient effects and it also eases the expectoration.

Lungwort can also be useful in some other conditions beside the ones related to the lungs. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful in treating some urinary tract infections like cystitis. It is also a good and harmless diuretic and it contains a great deal of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C and magnesium. It can also be useful in cases of diarrhea, gastritis and ulcer and in skin conditions like eczemas.

Lungwort has many great qualities and it is definitely worth having around. Our lungs can definitely benefit from a gentle and harmless treatment when they are at their worst. If drinking 2-3 cups of tea can stop you from coughing your lungs out, why not try it instead of popping synthetic pills?