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Lungwort Herb - Uses And Side Effects

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.

Lungwort is a perennial plant. The horizontal creeping rootstock produces several bristly stems with alternate, ovate, dark green leaves which are petioled at the bottom of the plant and become sessile near the top.

Common doses of lungwort

Lungwort comes as tablets and extracts. Some experts recommend the following doses:

• As a tincture, I to 4 milliliters taken orally three times daily.
• As an infusion, steep I to 2 teaspoons of dried herb in boiling water, and drink three times daily.

Uses of lungwort herb

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. Specifically, lungwort may help to :-

• Bronchitis
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Digestive tract bleeding
• Excessive menstruation
• Flu
• Hemorrhoids
• Hoarseness
• Tuberculosis
• Wounds

Side effects of lungwort

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of lungwort:

• prolonged bleeding
• upset stomach
• skin inflammation

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don't use lungwort while taking blood thinners such as Coumadin.

Important points to remember

• Don't use lungwort if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• If you have a history of digestive tract bleeding, low platelet count, or allergies, check with your health care practitioner before using lungwort.
• Know that medical experts recommend using conventional drug therapy for asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema instead of lungwort.

What the research shows

Scientists don't understand the chemical basis for lungwort's effects on the respiratory system. Because they haven't tested the herb on people, medical experts don't consider it safe or effective.

Other names for lungwort : -

Other names for lungwort include Jerusalem cowslip, Jerusalem sage, lung moss, lungs of oak, and spotted comfrey.

A product containing lungwort is sold as Lungwort Compound (formerly Bleeders Blend).

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