The real lungwort is a popular ornamental plant but also an effective medicinal herb. It is also known, among other things, under the names lungwort, blue cowslip, deer cabbage or forest ox tongue. You can cultivate the lungwort yourself and use it in the kitchen.

Lungwort not only heals lung diseases

What does real lungwort look like?

In spring, the lungwort shows its first red, later blue flowers, which are somewhat reminiscent of the cowslip. Only when the flowers wither around June does the rosette of leaves develop. The leaves often have whitish spots, which is why the herb is also called spotted lungwort.

Where does lungwort grow?

The real lungwort is at home in central and south-eastern Europe. There it grows with preference in deciduous forests and on rather shady forest edges. It also feels quite comfortable under bushes.

Can I plant lungwort in my garden?

The real lungwort is very suitable for cultivation in the garden. It prefers a shady to semi-shady location, preferably near deciduous trees. The soil should not be too hard, but can be loosened up with sand or gravel if necessary.

If you want to cultivate the real lungwort on the balcony, then it should not face south, it should be west or even north. Make sure that the soil does not dry out too much but always remains slightly moist, but at the same time avoid waterlogging.

The essentials in brief:

  • effective medicinal herb
  • Location: likes shady to semi-shady
  • Soil: not too firm and slightly damp

How does lungwort work?

Like aloe vera, lungwort is often used to treat wounds because it has an astringent (contracting) effect. In addition, the real lungwort has a styptic, diaphoretic and diuretic and expectorant effect. In folk medicine, it is used against a simple cough, for asthma and bronchitis, or for frostbite, diarrhea and hemorrhoids.

Areas of application of real lungwort:

  • to cough
  • asthma
  • bronchitis
  • diarrhea
  • hemorrhoids
  • frostbite
  • skin ringworm
  • small wounds
  • colds
  • bladder problems

tips

The dried leaves can be used to make a tea that is drunk when you have a cold or used in poultices to heal wounds. However, do not confuse the real lungwort with the Indian lungwort, which has a completely different effect.

Category:

Herbs