Although winter-like weather conditions still linger, Lungworts - medicinal herbs with great health benefits, are already growing. Lungwort is one of the first medicinal plants to grow as winter approaches the end and spring puts its foot in the door.
While daytime weather in my neck of the woods has been quite nice lately, nighttime temperatures still plummet deep into subzero levels. There are not many plants that can grow when it still freezes like that at night, but Lungworts have slowly been popping up.
The specific Lungwort which I found was still very young and difficult to identify. The most commonly used species is Common Lungwort (Pulmonaria Officinalis), but other species, like Unspotted Lungwort (Pulmonaria Obscura) contain pretty much the same chemical compounds and thus have similar health benefits.
The leaves of Common Lungwort have notable gray spots on them, whereas Unspotted Lungwort doesn’t. The plants I found had very faint spots, hardly identifiable, but because both are medicinal, they both would serve well in this regard.
As its name suggests, Lungworts are herbs that aid primarily with the infections of the upper respiratory tract – according to traditional herbalists. It’s generally indicated to help remove phlegm, regenerate mucous membranes of the airways and sooth digestive tract.
Other early spring plants which I mention in the video are the Snowdrops (made a video about those), Saxifrages (made a video about those too), Coltsfoot (expect to find some soon) and Lungworts seen in this video. Stinging Nettles have not been mentioned, but they begin to grow while it’s freezing outside too. I expect to see those in a very short order as well. Coltsfoot, Lungwort and Stinging Nettles are all medicinal. More medicinal plants will grow as the weather gets warmer. I will try to introduce as many as I can to you.
I hope the video was helpful and educational for you, but please bear in mind that I’m not an expert and may be wrong about anything I say. Always do your own research and if you need an expert advice, do consult an actual expert. Please review my disclaimers at https://www.nophoneman.com/wild-edibles-disclaimer/ and https://www.nophoneman.com/medical-disclaimer/.
00:00 Disclaimer
00:10 Lungwort found in the woods
00:40 Early spring plants
01:14 Lungwort health benefits
01:48 Pulmonaria species plant
02:16 Beech forest where I found this year’s first Lungwort
02:31 Ant activity may herald the inset of spring
Keep rocking :o)
Mark
https://www.nophoneman.com/
▶️ 3Speak
