It is the lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) a plant of humid and shady environments, which grows on the edges of forests in mountainous areas. It has weak stems, up to 30 cm high.

The basal leaves are large, oval-lanceolate in shape, pointed, with their unmistakable white spots on the upper side and hairy texture on both sides. The upper leaves are smaller and hug the stem.

It contains flavonoids such as quercetol and kenferol. Its high content of mucilage and allantoin makes it an effective remedy to protect the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, and the saponins also give it a clear expectorant effect, which will help expel the accumulation of mucus that prevents breathing normally.

Medicinal properties of lungwort

Lungwort is highly appreciated by herbalists, who often include it in their formulas. to cure bronchitis, in association with other mucilaginous plants such as marshmallow and cough.

Lungwort infusion has been used since ancient times to relieve bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and pharyngitis.

This plant has also been noted to treat different digestive disorders, such as gastroenteritis and diarrhea.

It also shows a clear antiseptic action on infections that occur in the urinary tract, such as cystitis and urethritis.

In external uselungwort is an excellent wound healingwhich serves with identical effectiveness to reduce inflammation of the gums and to heal annoying sores on the tongue.

Natural remedies for lungwort

With lungwort you can prepare very useful infusions to relieve respiratory tract conditions, but also for urinary infections:

Herbal tea to relieve bronchitis

To decongest the lungs and relieve bronchitis, herbalists recommend the formula that combines lungwort with cough, Iceland lichen, horehound and fir buds, taking 15 grams of each. To prepare it:

1. The plants are mixed in equal parts.
2. Boil one level tablespoon of the mixture for just 1 minute per cup of water.
3. Let it rest, covered, for about 10 minutes.
4. To improve the flavor you can add a teaspoon of honey, and drink a cup every four hours, very hot.

Infusion for cough

Lungwort provides a good way to get rid of the annoying cough from colds that just won’t go away. In this case, poppy, cough, plantain, elderberry, marshmallow and fir shoots are also used. To prepare it:

1. The plants are mixed in equal parts.
2. Boil one level tablespoon per glass of water for 2 minutes.
3. Let it rest for 10 minutes and filter.

The ideal is to drink a very hot cup every four hours.

Expectorant syrup

An expectorant syrup is highly recommended, useful for children and the elderly, which is made with 10 g of lungwort, thyme and licorice root, plus half of spring and anise seeds, per 750 ml of water. To prepare it:

1. Boil the licorice root for a couple of minutes, then add the rest of the plants, mixed in equal parts.
2. Leave it to infuse for 10 minutes.
3. Strain it and add 300 g of heather honey, which is scalded again until it has completely melted.

To preserve it: Once it has cooled, pour the resulting syrup into a glass jar and cover it tightly. You can take up to four tablespoons a day, depending on the degree of congestion.

Infusion for urine infection

In this case, the herbal tea prepared by combining 20 g of lungwort with 40 g of horsetail, 20 g of bearberry and another 20 g of blueberry leaves is useful.

1. The plants mix well.
2. Boil one tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water for 1 minute and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Three glasses are drunk a day, divided into different doses.

Jordi Cebrián. Advisor J Mª Teixé, herbalist of “El Manantial de Salud”