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Pulmonaria officinalis
CautionGeflecktes Lungenkraut · (Pulmonaria officinalis)
Borage family (Boraginaceae)
Description
The white-spotted leaves of lungwort (Boraginaceae) reminded early herbalists of lung tissue, giving rise, under the medieval doctrine of signatures, to both its name and its traditional use for cough and bronchitis. Herb tea harvested before full bloom contains mucilage that coats irritated respiratory mucosa protectively, along with rosmarinic acid and the wound-healing compound allantoin. Externally, crushed leaves were applied as compresses to slow-healing wounds, while an infusion served as a gargle for sore throats. The plant also contains small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, shown to be hepatotoxic in animal studies; internal use should therefore be limited to a maximum of four to six weeks per year. Internal intake is not advised during pregnancy, breastfeeding, in existing liver disease, or in children and adolescents under 18.
CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids cross the placental barrier. Internal use during pregnancy is strictly contraindicated.
CONTRAINDICATED during breastfeeding
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are excreted into breast milk and may harm the newborn. Internal use during lactation is strictly contraindicated.
CONTRAINDICATED for children
Due to PA content, internal use is not recommended for children under 18 years of age.
Critical drug interactions with:
Hepatotoxische Arzneimittel
Lungwort tea made from aerial parts is traditionally used in European folk medicine for coughs, bronchitis, and throat complaints. Mucilages coat the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract protectively; saponins act as expectorants. The application is rooted in the Doctrine of Signatures: the spotted leaves reminded early herbalists of lung tissue.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 2–4 g of dried lungwort herb, steep for 10 minutes, strain. Drink up to 3 cups daily. Do not use long-term (note PA content, max. 4–6 weeks).
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
In folk medicine, lungwort tea was used as a gargle for sore throats and hoarseness. The tannin content acts as an astringent and mildly anti-inflammatory on the pharyngeal mucosa.
Preparation & dosage
Steep 3–5 g dried herb in 250 ml hot water for 10 minutes. Allow to cool and use as a gargle — do not swallow.
- Dry amount
- 3–5 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
In folk medicine, lungwort was applied for mild bladder complaints and irritable bladder. The silicic acid content and mucilages are said to soothe urinary mucous membranes. Not scientifically proven.
Preparation & dosage
Steep 2–4 g dried herb in 200 ml water for 10 minutes. Ensure adequate fluid intake daily.
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
Sources: [7]
Alcoholic extract of lungwort was traditionally used as a more concentrated alternative to tea for persistent cough. In vitro, lungwort extracts show COX-2 inhibitory and antioxidant activity at the plasma level.
Preparation & dosage
Ready preparation 1:5 (40 % ethanol): 30–50 drops up to 3 times daily. Do not use longer than 4–6 weeks (PA burden).
- Doses per day
- 3×
Fresh crushed lungwort leaves were applied as compresses in folk medicine to slow-healing wounds, ulcers, and eczema. The tannin and silicic acid content act as astringents and support wound healing.
Some folk medicine traditions use lungwort extract in a fatty base topically for skin irritations, rough skin, and minor wounds. In vitro, phenolic acids from Pulmonaria show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Young lungwort leaves were consumed in some regions as wild vegetables in salads or steamed. The leaves contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, and mucilages. Due to PA content, consumption should remain infrequent and in small quantities.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) that are hepatotoxic and potentially carcinogenic in animal studies. Internal use should be limited to short periods (max. 4–6 weeks/year). No long-term use without medical supervision. PAs cross the placental barrier and are excreted in breast milk — strictly contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation. Contraindicated in existing liver disease.
⏱ Max continuous use: 6 weeks
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids cross the placental barrier. Internal use during pregnancy is strictly contraindicated.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are excreted into breast milk and may harm the newborn. Internal use during lactation is strictly contraindicated.
Due to PA content, internal use is not recommended for children under 18 years of age.
Drug interactions
Hepatotoxische Arzneimittel
Additive hepatic damage possible through combination of PA-related hepatotoxicity with other hepatotoxic substances.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and lactation (pyrrolizidine alkaloids)
- Known liver disease (hepatotoxicity risk from PAs)
- Children and adolescents under 18 years (internal use)
- Known hypersensitivity to plants of the Boraginaceae family
Harvested part: flowering herb
- Time of day:
- Morning after dew has dried, in dry weather
- Drying:
- Spread leaves and stems loosely, dry at 35–40 °C or in a well-ventilated shaded spot. Leaves must rustle slightly when dry. Store in dark, well-sealed containers.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Dry, dark, and cool in paper bags or dark glass jars. PA content does not increase with improper storage but remains unchanged.
- Time of day:
- Morning in dry weather; flowers open with daylight
- Drying:
- Spread flowers flat immediately after harvest and dry at max. 35 °C — short drying time to minimise colour loss.
- Storage:
- 6 months — Store protected from light and dry; flowers lose colour and aroma quickly.
- Mucilage (Polysaccharide)MucilageLeaf
Mucilaginous polysaccharides form the basis of the respiratory-soothing effect; create a protective coating on mucous membranes.
- AllantoinOtherAerial parts
Nitrogen-containing compound; promotes cell regeneration and wound healing; also dominant in comfrey (Symphytum).
- Rosmarinsäure (Rosmarinic acid)Phenolic acidContent: 0,3–1,5 %Aerial parts
Lead phenolic acid of Boraginaceae; potent antioxidant, inhibits COX-2 and lipoxygenase in vitro.
- Yunnaneic acid BPhenolic acidAerial parts
Phenolic dimer from Pulmonaria officinalis; prevents peroxynitrite-induced oxidation of plasma lipoproteins in vitro.
- Pyrrolizidinalkaloide (PA)AlkaloidContent: < 0,1 %Aerial parts
Intermedine, lycopsamine, and other 1,2-unsaturated PAs; hepatotoxic and potentially carcinogenic; primary safety concern for internal use.
- Quercetin-3-O-Glucoside (Isoquercitrin)FlavonoidAerial parts
Most common flavonoid glycoside in lungwort; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; structurally described in the 1995 flavonoid glycoside study.
- Kieselsäure (Silicic acid)MineralAerial parts
Soluble silicic acid strengthens connective tissue structures; supports the wound-healing effect in external use.
- Tannine (Gerbstoffe)TanninAerial parts
Hydrolysable and condensed tannins; astringent on mucous membranes; partly responsible for the gargle-appropriate effect.
- [1]MonographOlech et al. (2021): Pulmonaria obscura and Pulmonaria officinalis Extracts as Mitigators of Peroxynitrite-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors — In Vitro and In Silico Studies. Molecules 26(3):631(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [2]MonographOlech et al. (2017): Yunnaneic Acid B, a Component of Pulmonaria officinalis Extract, Prevents Peroxynitrite-Induced Oxidative Stress in Vitro. J Agric Food Chem 65(18):3671–3678(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [3]MonographOlech et al. (2018): Novel Phenolic Constituents of Pulmonaria officinalis L.: LC-MS/MS Comparison of Spring and Autumn Metabolite Profiles. Molecules 23(9):2277(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [4]MonographGudej et al. (1995): Flavonoid Glycosides from Aerial Parts of Pulmonaria officinalis. Planta Med 61(5):z94(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [5]MonographKowalczyk et al. (2023): Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids — Pros and Cons for Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 24(23):16972(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [7]BookPlants For A Future (PFAF): Pulmonaria officinalis — Lungwort, Common lungwort(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [6]WikipediaWikipedia EN: Pulmonaria officinalis(accessed: 2026-05-24)