🌲Russian & Siberian Folk Medicine

Coltsfoot (Mat i Machekha)

Tussilago farfara

About Coltsfoot (Mat i Machekha)

Coltsfoot (Mat i Machekha) (Tussilago farfara) is a herb used in the Russian & Siberian Folk Medicine tradition to help with Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma, and Respiratory Issues. The aerial parts and leaves are the parts traditionally used, taken internally.

Botanical background

Tussilago farfara, commonly known as coltsfoot,:770 is a plant in the groundsel tribe in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to Europe and parts of western and central Asia. The name "tussilago" is derived from the Latin tussis, meaning cough, and ago, meaning to cast or to act on. It has had uses in traditional medicine, but the discovery of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the plant has resulted in liver health concerns.

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Aerial Parts · internalLeaves · internal
🍵

Tea / Infusion

1–3 cups daily
  • Steep 1–2 tsp of dried Coltsfoot (Mat i Machekha) in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes.
  • Cover while steeping.
  • Strain and drink.
💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Coltsfoot (Mat i Machekha) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Coltsfoot (Mat i Machekha) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.
♨️

Steam Inhalation

1–2× daily during acute symptoms
  • Add 2–3 tbsp of Coltsfoot (Mat i Machekha) to a bowl of just-boiled water.
  • Drape a towel over your head and inhale steam for 5–10 minutes.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Children

Pregnancy

Avoid

Coltsfoot contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids linked to liver toxicity and has documented case reports of harm to the fetus/newborn liver — contraindicated in pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Avoid

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid content makes coltsfoot contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Children

Avoid

Contraindicated in children due to documented pyrrolizidine alkaloid liver toxicity, including case reports in infants exposed via breast milk.

As a member of the Asteraceae (ragweed/daisy) family, this herb carries a real chance of cross-reaction in anyone allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies — introduce cautiously if there's a known allergy.

Contraindications

    Warnings

    ⚠️ Allergic Reactions

    Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

    ⚠️ Not Medical Advice

    This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

    Drug & herb interactions

    No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Coltsfoot (Mat i Machekha) in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.

    Where to find in nature

    Native region

    Russia, Siberia, Central Asia

    Climate

    Continental subarctic to boreal

    Habitat

    Boreal forest (taiga), alpine meadows, and river valleys of Siberia and the Russian Far East

    🌿 To see Coltsfoot (Mat i Machekha) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

    Where to buy

    In store

    • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
    • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
    • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
    • Farmers markets with herb vendors

    Online

    iHerb

    Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

    Mountain Rose Herbs

    Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

    Starwest Botanicals

    Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

    Herb Pharm

    High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

    Amazon

    Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

    Etsy

    Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

    Quality tips

    When buying Coltsfoot (Mat i Machekha), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.