Pulmonaria officinalis
Botanical Nomenclature | Pulmonaria officinalis |
Common Name | Common Lungwort, Lungwort, Our Lady's Milk Drops |
Taxonomy- Family | Boraginaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Pulmonaria officinalis is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing from 15 to 30cm, with plush, wide, oval or heart-shaped, green, white-spotted leaves and pink, white or purple, five-lobbed flowers in wavy inflorescences. The stem is thin and fluffy. The flowering lasts from March to May and the harvesting takes place from March to April. |
Region Found | Epirus (Gramos) |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Flowers, leaves |
Active Substances | Saponins, tannins, silica, minerals, flavonoids (quercetin and kaempherol), mucus, vitamin C, allantoin, pyrrolizidine alkaloids. |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The plant has emollient, diuretic, expectorant, astringent and healing properties. It is recommended in the form of herbal tea for the treatment of chronic bronchitis, dyspnea, asthma, sore throat, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, mastitis and cough. It is applied externally in the form of poultice made from the fresh leaves against eye irritation and various skin problems such as lichens, chilblains, wounds and bleeding. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered in the form of herbal tea (a spoon of dried herb in a water of boiled cup for 10min, 3 times a day). It is applied externally to the skin as healing in the form of poultice made from the fresh leaves. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | No side effects have been reported. |
References | 1) http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Pulmonaria+officinalis 2) http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/lungwo49.html 3)http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-216-lungwort.aspx?activeingredientid=216&activeingredientname=lungwort 4)http://www.healthy.net/Materia_Medica/Lungwort_Herb_Herbal_Materia_Medica/243 5)http://www.iatrikionline.gr/Respiratory_40/4.pdf |