Terra di Toscana www.terraditoscana.com

Farfaro, Tussilago farfara

Family of compositae

Along the roads and in humid places, in the first months of the years and during sunny days some yellow small flowers, very similar to daisy, blossom before the sprouting of leaves. It seems to admire many suns which rise from mud in order to remember that the spring is coming very soon and the winter is leaving taking away all the diseases.

Use
Its scientific name reminds us the main medical characteristic of this plant and the name is "tussim agere", which means taking away the cough. The infusion of flowers (normally a spoon in hot water) represents a good remedy against cough, cold and tracheatis. The young leaves can be used to prepare mixed salads, or if mixed with other herbs it can be boiled or fried.

Picture and text of Tebaldo Lorini
Translated by Gianna Toni

Terraditoscana © Polimedia - All rights reserved
Press registration n. 5528 10/11/2006 - Editor Polimedia - P.IVA 06790950486