Common lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)

About the plant

Common lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is a herbaceous perennial that grows from 10 to 30 cm tall in early spring.

The stem leaves are sessile with white spots and bristly hairs. The stem, also covered with hairs, usually has up to 5 stem leaves.

At the top of the stem, common lungwort develops a compound inflorescence, resembling the inflorescence of cowslip (Primula veris). The flowers of the lungwort are funnel-shaped. There are usually several flowers in the inflorescence: pink at first, then purple, and blue at the very end of flowering.

The ground leaves grow from the rhizome after flowering and are long-stalked, oval-cordate and slightly acuminate.

Where does it grow?

The common lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is a native species that thrives across Europe. It extends westward from the Ardennes to the Netherlands, Denmark, and southern Sweden. While absent in Norway, it has naturalized in the British Isles. Its range also includes central Russia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and northern to central Italy.

Common lungwort likes moist sites and grows in light deciduous and mixed forests. It also grows in meadows, pastures, sides of forests, clearings, and riverbanks on both calcareous and clayey soils.

When to harvest lungwort?

Common lungwort is harvested in early spring, between March and May.

Which parts of the lungwort to pick?

We collect the young leaves and flowering parts of the plant without the root.

Medicinal effects

Common lungwort contains silicic acid, minerals, resins, mucilages, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, ascorbic acid and allantoin.

We mainly use the plant for treating respiratory tract and lung diseases due to its high silicic acid content.

Primarily due to its high mucilage and tannin content, lungwort soothes irritation, helps with a persistent cough, and facilitates expectoration. It is used for flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, and pulmonary tuberculosis. It also aids in relieving hoarseness and respiratory tract inflammation.”

Common lungwort has antiviral activity.

How to use common lungwort?

Tea: Drink tea to treat respiratory and lung diseases. For coughs and hoarseness, tea can also be gargled. Drink 3 to 4 cups of tea daily in sips.

A tincture of common lungwort treats similar problems as tea. The tincture can be used only a few weeks a year, up to three times a day, with 10-15 drops diluted in 30 ml of water.

Cuisine: The taste of lungwort is reminiscent of cucumber. It can be used in soups, vegetable side dishes and egg dishes. Some people also use it to make lungwort juice and syrup.

Making tea

Pour a cup of boiling water over one to two teaspoons of the crushed herb. Let the covered infusion sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain.

What should you pay attention to?

Although the lungwort is a member of the boraginaceae family, it does not contain the toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

There are no known side effects with the prescribed use of medicinal tea, and there are no reports of interactions of Pulmonaria officinalis tea with other drugs.

There is insufficient reliable data on the safe use of lungwort in children, pregnant and nursing women.

The plant must be dried quickly at 30-40 °C to keep its green colour. Otherwise, it tends to darken, which can signify a depleted herb with a lower content of active substances.

Interesting facts

• Common lungwort has bright spots on its leaves that resemble lungs, giving the plant its name.

• Drinking lungwort tea or juice is said to be recommended, especially for singers who have problems with hoarseness of voice.