Coltsfoot is also known as Coughwort, Hallfoot, Horsehoof, Ass's Foot, Foalswort, Fieldhove, Bullsfoot, Donnhove, and Pas d'âne.

Coltsfoot is used to treat a hot dry cough, or wheezing, and shortness of breath. Coltsfoot is also good for head and chest congestion, and is soothing to the stomach and intestines. Combine it with horehound, ginger, and licorice root for a soothing cough syrup, suitable for all ages.

The distilled water alone, or with Elder flowers and Nightshade, is a good remedy against all hot swellings and inflammations, drink two ounces at a time, and apply cloths wet therein to the head and stomach, which also does much good.

There has been some attempt to ban coltsfoot because it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be harmful to the liver. Its harmfulness is on the order of that of acetaminophen (Tylenol), which has not been banned. To stay on the safe side, do not use in the long term. One person who got liver damage from drinking coltsfoot tea, for instance, had used the tea 4 times a day for six months. Nausea is often a first sign of liver damage. If you experience nausea upon using this herb, stop using it and give yourself a course of milk thistle extract excellent for helping the liver heal.

People with liver damage or who have had damage to it in the past should not use this herb.

Avoid internal use during pregnancy.