Lungwort

Botanical Name

Family Boraginaceae
Pulmonaria officinalis

Common Names

Common Lungwort, Dage of Jerusalem

Cautions

It is subject to legal restrictions in some countries.

Description

Native to Europe and the Caucasus, lungwort is a perennial, growing to a foot high, producing clusters of pink-purple flowers and broad, oval, basal leaves which are gathered in late spring. The smaller upper leaves are mottled with white spots. The plant flourishes in mountain pastures and in damp areas.

History

According to the medieval Doctrine of Signatures, which held that a plant's appearance pointed to the ailment it treated, lungwort was deemed effective for chest ailments because its leaves resembled lung tissue.

Key Actions

astringent
demulcent
expectorant
tonic

Key Components

allantoin
flavonoids
tannins
mucilage
saponin
vitamin C

Medicinal Parts

Leaves, aerial parts
Unlike many members of the borage family, lungwort does not contain myrrolizidine alkaloids.

Traditional Uses

It is used internally for illnesses of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, kidney and urinary tract, and externally on wounds to stop bleeding.

Because of its high mucilage content, it is a good remedy for chest conditions, especially that of chronic bronchitis. It combines well with such herbs as coltsfoot as a treatment for chronic coughs (including whooping cough), and can be taken for asthma. It has long been used as a treatment for bloody phlegm arising from tubercular infections.

Lungwort is also used as a treatment for sore throat and congestion.