Botanical Name: Pulmonaria officinalis

Common Name:

English:
Also, known as: Spotted Lungwort, Common lungwort, Mary's tears, Blue lungwort, Maple Lungwort, Jerusalem Cowslip, Our Lady's milk drops, Jerusalem-sage, Spotted Comfrey, Soldiers & Sailors, and Spotted Dog

Habitat: Europe

Origin:

Harvested: Wild or cultivated

Parts Used: The leaves

General Information:

Pulmonaria officinalis, is herbaceous or semi-evergreen rhizomatous perennials of the borage family. Genus name comes from the Latin pulmo meaning lung. This rough-hairy perennial that reach up to 12 inches in height and 18 inches wide. It is native to forested areas in Europe. The basal leaves are green, cordate, elongated and pointed and always with rounded and often sharply defined white or pale green patches with upper surface of the leaves has tiny bumps and it is quite hairy. The leaves of this host plant are eaten by the caterpillars. In spring, the plant produces small bunches of flowers. Funnel-shaped, five-petaled flowers, about 1 inch long, bloom in forked clusters, opening pink and soon changing to blue, in spring. Different colored flowers may be seen on the plant at the same time. As a matter of fact, the flowers contain a dye that belongs to the anthocyanins and change the color from red, acidic to blue, alkaline.

How to use:

Hot Infusion:

The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.
You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop molds.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Lungwort Herb Cut