Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a well-known medicinal plant, often used for its healing properties. While the leaves are more commonly collected, the flowers are sometimes harvested too. Here are more about the Coltsfoot:
I personally prefer gathering just a few flowers—nothing excessive. In autumn and winter, I add a flower or two to tea if someone in the family is sick and coughing.
Coltsfoot is not meant to be consumed in large amounts. As my mother would say, “You don’t need to eat it by the sackful!”
I still remember from my childhood that coltsfoot marked the beginning of our herbal tea-harvesting season. We never collected bark or buds—only the flowers.
How about you? What’s your experience with gathering herbal teas?
Ilze
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a day in the life of a latvian mom 
Interesting, I was just thinking about you guys. Well, I don’t drink coffee because of blood pressure issues or tea. I would certainly try your tea! 😊
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Or you can do like I do and drink decaf 🙂
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That’s like drinking beer that has no alcohol in it, it serves no purpose, Ilze. 😂
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I love the taste 🙂 and that is enough for me 🙂
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Good! I like a beer buzz… 😂
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I can’t remember us having herbal teas growing when I was a kid. We got them loose from the pharmacy. My mum knew mushroom foraging but we only ate them. I didn’t even know until recently that you can make tea with mushrooms. Here in Ireland we could forage St Johnswort (its potent so we were careful), clover and another one but I can’t remember the name. In the Uk we had several varieties of mint, rosemary & thyme. Happy Saturday to you and your readers 👋
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That’s so interesting—it’s amazing how traditions vary from place to place! My mum also passed down mushroom foraging knowledge, but just like you, we only ate them. I only learned about mushroom teas much later too! St. John’s Wort is such a powerful plant—it’s good you were cautious with it.
Yarrow is actually my favorite tea—it has such a grounding, earthy taste, and I always reach for it when I feel like my body needs a little reset. I harvest it myself whenever I can.
Wishing you a cozy and peaceful Saturday too 👋🍂
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Thanks so much. I can’t wait to forage again. Or harvest from the garden 🥰
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Never been a tea drinker but it does sound like there are many benefits to this one.
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Oh, this is just the beginning, wait till I get to the yarrow or Lady’s mantles!
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I haven’t made any tea from fresh herbs or flowers. Sounds good though.
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Oh, fresh mint leaves?
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I have used fresh mint in regulat tea and it’s so refreshing.
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If you have yarrow in the garden – that is also a good tea and to me its slightly bitter taste is wonderful.
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