Lungwort

Common Name(s)

Lungwort, bloody-butcher, boys-and-girls, hundreds-and-thousands, Jerusalem-sage

Scientific Name(s)

Pulmonaria officinalis

General Information

Lungwort is a flowering perennial plant that originated in Europe and Asia and was introduced to North America. Traditionally, lungwort has been used to treat lung and digestive problems, and as a diuretic. It has also been applied to the skin to treat minor cuts and scrapes.

How is this product usually used?

The aerial parts of the lungwort plant are used to prepare oral and topical formulations. The preparations are available as infusions, dried leaves, and fluid extract.

Lungwort should only be taken by adults 18 and older. When taken by mouth, the recommended dose is 2 g to 4 g of dried leaves, 3 times per day. When applied to the skin, the recommended dose is 2 g to 4 g of dried leaves, 3 times per day.

Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What is this product used for?

Oral lungwort is traditionally used in herbal medicine:

• to relieve diarrhea
• to relieve hemorrhoids
• to relieve a sore throat
• as an expectorant (helps in coughing up mucus) to help relieve the symptoms of bronchitis and mucus at the back of the throat
• as a mild diuretic (i.e., to increase urination)

Topical lungwort is traditionally used in herbal medicine:

• to help in healing of wounds (minor) and cuts

There is not enough reliable scientific evidence to show whether lungwort is effective for any of these uses.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

There is not enough information on the potential side effects of lungwort. If you experience unexplained side effects while taking lungwort, stop taking it immediately and seek medical advice.

It is not known whether lungwort may interact with any medications.

Consult a health care provider if any of the symptoms or conditions being treated with lungwort persist or worsen. When used as a diuretic, lungwort is for occasional use only.

You should contact your doctor before taking lungwort if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider.  Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

1. Lungwort (monograph). Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.
2. Health Canada. Licensed Natural Health Products. Lungwort – Oral. https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=lungwort.oral&lang=eng
3. Health Canada. Licensed Natural Health Products. Lungwort – Topical. https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=lungwort_pulmonaire&lang=eng