Flos Farfarae
Common Coltsfoot Flower

Source:
The flower bud of capitulum of Tussilago farfara L. (Fam. Compositae).

Distribution:
Mainly in Chinese provinces such as Henan, Gansu, Shanxi and Shaanxi.

Harvest & Processing:
Dig out flower buds in winter before they appear above the ground; dry in cool, well-ventilated places; when half-dry, sieve away soil and sand; remove pedicels; dry thoroughly by airing.

Description:
Irregular, orbicular (round) and clavate (club-shaped, gradually widening towards the apex). Solitary (occurring singly) or 2-3 flowers synobasic (with a united base); 1-2.5 cm long, 0.5-1 cm in diameter. Base with squamiform (scale-like) light purple leaves; capitate inflorescences covered with numerous squamiform bracts; outer surface of bracts purplish-red or pale red, inner surface with white tomenta. Ligulate (strap-shaped) flowers and tubular flowers small, about 2 mm long; ovary inferior (attached beneath). Light in weight; broken surface of capitate inflorescences with white filiform (thread-like) tomenta. Odour: fresh and fragrant; taste: slightly bitter, chewy; gossypine (cottony) when chewed.

Indications:
1. Productive cough with dyspnoea, asthma

Chemical Composition:
Mainly contains alkaloids such as tussilagine, sesquiterpenes such as tussilagone, and triterpenes such as faradiol.