Herbs & Botanicals · Traditional chest herb

Lungwort

Pulmonaria officinalis · also called Common lungwort, Lungenkraut

Lungwort is a spotted-leaf woodland plant of the borage family, used for centuries in European teas for coughs and chest complaints. No human study has tested it, and a German expert committee judged its benefit unproven. Lungwort tea contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, a plant substance that can harm the liver, so it is not advised in pregnancy, breastfeeding or for children. It is not the same as the lichen that is also called lungwort.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

About Lungwort

Lungwort is a traditional cough herb with no human trials. Lab studies are early. It contains liver-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so it is avoided in pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood and liver disease.

Safety first

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs): a 2022 analysis found PAs in all 8 samples of lungwort tea tested (mainly intermedine and lycopsamine types). In the close relative Pulmonaria obscura, the roots and rhizomes held most of the PAs and leaves and flowers only traces. How much is in any one product is unknown, and we found no lungwort liver-injury report. The EU committee says liver toxicity from toxic PAs is established.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and under 18: avoid. A German reference strongly advises against it because risk data are missing.

Liver disease, heavy alcohol use, or other PA herbs such as comfrey and borage: avoid combining. This is a precaution based on the PA content, not on a lungwort study.

Blood thinners: an old animal study found an anticoagulant fraction in an injected extract, and a review lists lungwort as having anticoagulant activity. It is unknown whether tea does this. Tell your prescriber.

A cough lasting more than two to three weeks, or with blood, fever or breathlessness, needs a doctor. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts and your medicines.

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What it is

Lungwort is Pulmonaria officinalis, a perennial of the borage family native to Europe. Its leaves have pale spots. The herb sold is the dried leaf, flower and stem, picked at flowering. Reference books list mucilage (a slippery plant gel), tannins, flavonoids, allantoin and silicic acids.

Do not confuse it with the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria, also called lungwort, tree lungwort or lung lichen. A lichen is a fungus living with algae, not a flowering plant, and it is not related to the herb. This page covers only Pulmonaria officinalis. Check the Latin name on a label.

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What the research shows

People: no clinical trial, case series or even a case report of lungwort for any use was found. Germany's Commission E gave it a negative monograph in 1987 (benefit not shown, no risk expected at the time), according to two reference sites. The EU herbal committee has not covered it.

Lab: phenolic-rich extracts blocked COX-2, protected blood plasma from oxidative damage, and lowered IL-6 in donor immune cells. They only weakly limited bacteria from cystic fibrosis samples. A cell study found DNA damage at higher levels.

Everything above is in dishes. None of it shows that lungwort helps a cough.

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History

From the 15th century the lung-like spotted leaves led healers to use it for lung disease, an idea called the doctrine of signatures. The genus name Pulmonaria and the German name Lungenkraut keep that link. Today it appears mainly as a minor part of German cough and bronchial tea blends.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Cough and bronchitis tea
Sore throat and hoarseness
Gut, kidney and urinary complaints (older references)
Wound care on the skin (older references)

Studied for research

Cough and chest use: insufficient (no human trial)
Inflammation signals in cells: insufficient (lab only)
Lung bacteria in cystic fibrosis samples: insufficient (lab only)
Antioxidant activity: insufficient (lab only)
Blood sugar screen: insufficient (lab only)

Main compounds

Mucilage polysaccharides
Rosmarinic and other phenolic acids
Allantoin, tannins and flavonoids
Silicic acids
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (intermedine, lycopsamine)

Common forms

Dried herb as tea
Part of cough and bronchial tea blends
Tincture or extract
Cosmetic extract

Research links: Chen 2022: pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal teas, incl. lungwort (PubMed) · Haberer 2002: pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Pulmonaria obscura (PubMed) · Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk 2021: COX-2 and oxidative stress, lab (PubMed) · Sadowska 2019: cystic fibrosis bacteria, lab (PubMed) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

The plant and its history

Accepted scientific name: Pulmonaria officinalis
Naming authority: L.
Common names: Lungwort (en); Common lungwort (en); Lungenkraut (de)
Botanical family: Boraginaceae (borage family)
Classification: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Boraginales > Boraginaceae > Pulmonaria > Pulmonaria officinalis
Native range: Europe, from central Sweden to central Italy, and central and southern Russia (per a German reference).
Habitat: Moderately moist soils in herb-rich beech and mixed woods and damp river woods; in the Alps also high mountain conifer woods (per the same reference).
What the plant looks like: Roots: Underground rootstock; flowering shoots and leaf rosettes grow at the same time.; Stems: Flowering stems with 4-7 stem leaves.; Leaves: Rough to the touch (short bristle-like bumps); upper side has cloudy white spots.; Flowers: Flowers start pink and turn blue (a colour change during flowering); a ring of hairs inside the flower tube; flowers March-April.; Fruit: Not found in the sources read.
Cultivation: Not found in the sources read.
Harvest and processing: The dried leaf, flower and stem harvested at flowering (Pulmonariae herba). The traded herb comes mainly from the northern Balkans (per the German reference).
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Lobaria pulmonaria (lung lichen, "tree lungwort"); Note: A lichen, kingdom Fungi in GBIF (family Lobariaceae), not a flowering plant and not related to the herb. It was also called "lungwort" because of its lung-like look. Its safety and uses were not assessed here.; Name: Pulmonaria obscura; Note: Close relative, often grouped with P. officinalis; much of the chemistry and PA data in the literature are for it.; Name: Other Pulmonaria species; Note: Several garden species share the spotted leaves; the herb trade should name P. officinalis.
Sustainability and conservation: Not found.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
European herbalism, from the 15th century	Used for lung complaints because the spotted leaves resembled lung tissue (doctrine of signatures); the genus name Pulmonaria comes from the Latin for lung.	s-azl
Modern European folk medicine	Cough and bronchitis, asthma, laryngitis, tuberculosis (as listed in a 2026 paper); gut, kidney and urinary complaints; external wound care.	s-altmeyers
German regulation, 1987	Commission E gave a negative monograph (proof of benefit missing, no risk expected).	s-azl

Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
Mucilage polysaccharides	polysaccharide	dried herb	Listed by a German reference as a main group; no activity data found. ³	Traditional reference
Silicic acids PubChem 14942	mineral (silicon compounds)	dried herb	Listed as the herb's mineral content; PubChem CID is for silicic acid in general. ^{3 20}	Traditional reference
Allantoin PubChem 204	plant-derived substance	herb (listed); 2-3.5% dry weight reported for the related P. obscura and P. mollis	Skin-soothing substance in cosmetic use; no test on lungwort. ^{3 7 20}	Traditional reference
Rosmarinic acid PubChem 5281792	phenolic acid	aerial parts	Computer docking suggested it can bind COX-2; strong antioxidant in the lab. ^{12 20}	Laboratory research
Lithospermic acid PubChem 6441498	phenolic acid	aerial parts	Named with shimobashiric acid C as possible contributors to the anti-inflammatory effect in donor immune cells. ^{12 4 20}	Laboratory research
Salvianolic, monardic, shimobashiric and yunnaneic acids	phenolic acids (danshensu-caffeic acid conjugates)	aerial parts	Over 80% of the phenolic-rich fractions; antioxidant and COX-2 binding in the lab. ^{12 18}	Laboratory research
Tannins and flavonoids	polyphenols	dried herb	Listed by a German reference; no content figures found. ³	Traditional reference
Phytol	diterpene alcohol	70% ethanol extract	Most abundant compound by GC-MS in one ethanol extract; no activity tested. ¹¹	Laboratory research
Intermedine and lycopsamine (and N-oxides) PubChem 114843	pyrrolizidine alkaloids (1,2-unsaturated)	leaf-type tea material (commercial); mostly roots and rhizomes in P. obscura tea: reported total PAs about 1770 ug/kg dry matter (mean of 8 samples); lycopsamine CID 107938	Liver-toxic class of plant alkaloids; the main safety concern. ^{6 10 20}	Observational

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
COX-2 enzyme (inflammation)	PTGS2 (COX-2)	Extract blocked COX-2; docking suggested ten compounds (including rosmarinic acid) can bind it. ¹²	Laboratory research
Peroxynitrite oxidative stress in blood plasma	None (chemical)	Extracts partly prevented peroxynitrite damage to plasma proteins and lipids and improved plasma antioxidant capacity. ¹²	Laboratory research
Inflammation messengers in human immune cells	TNF, IL1B, IL6, CXCL8	Ethanol extract lowered several cytokines in donor monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils; the infusion was weaker. ⁴	Laboratory research
Bacterial sortase A and alpha-toxin	S. aureus srtA, hla	Lower sortase A activity and alpha-toxin, but inconsistent effects on biofilm. ¹⁶	Laboratory research
GLUT4 sugar-transporter translocation	SLC2A4 (GLUT4)	Lungwort extract activated GLUT4 movement in a large cell screen. ¹⁵	Laboratory research
DNA integrity in lung fibroblasts	None (comet assay)	DNA damage at higher extract levels; protection against H2O2 damage at the lowest. ¹¹	Laboratory research
Blood clotting (fibrinogen step)	Fibrinogen conversion	A glycopeptide fraction cut clotting activity in animals when injected. ⁵	Animal research

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: No human or animal data on absorption of any lungwort compound were found.
Distribution: Not found.
Metabolism: Not found for lungwort.
Elimination: Not found.
Bioavailability: Not found.

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Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

Lab work used phenolic-rich fractions and ethanol or methanol extracts, which are not the same as a tea. The only tea-like data are the PA analysis and a water infusion that was weaker than the ethanol extract in immune cells. No isolated-compound study of lungwort alone was found, other than computer docking.

Nutritional composition

Lungwort is a medicinal herb, not a source of any nutrient. It has silicon-containing compounds listed by a reference, but no amount is known and no mineral benefit has been shown.

8benefits and uses looked at

20studies and sources checked

Not enough evidencebest evidence rating found

5lab markers tracked in trials

8 not enough evidence

What was looked at

The 8 benefits and uses checked for Lungwort, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.

Cough and chest complaints (traditional use)Not enough evidence
Calming inflammation signals (cell and lab studies)Not enough evidence
Effects on lung bacteria (cystic fibrosis samples, lab only)Not enough evidence
Antioxidant activity in the labNot enough evidence
Blood sugar (early lab screen)Not enough evidence
Skin and wounds (traditional and cosmetic use)Not enough evidence
Stomach, kidney and urinary complaints (traditional use)Not enough evidence
Brain and skin-pigment enzyme tests (lab only)Not enough evidence

Lab markers tracked in the studies

COX-2 enzyme activityInterleukin-6 (IL-6) releaseStaphylococcus aureus toxin and stickingGLUT4 sugar transporter movementBlood glucose

What is Lungwort good for?

What lungwort is used for, and how strong the evidence is. Every use is traditional or laboratory-only.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Cough and chest complaints (traditional use)

Not enough evidence

Lungwort leaf tea was used for centuries for coughs and chest troubles. No human trial has tested it, and a German expert committee found its benefit unproven.

2 studiesTraditionally the dried leaf, flower and stem as a tea. Ask a doctor …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of lungwort was found. Germany's Commission E (1987) gave a negative monograph because efficacy was not shown, while expecting no risk at the time (second-hand reading; the original text was not read).

Results

None to report.

Effect sizes as reported

Not applicable

Why this rating

Insufficient: only traditional use and a regulator's "not proven" verdict. No clinical data.

Form and dose studied

Traditionally the dried leaf, flower and stem as a tea. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.

Who was studied

Adults with cough (traditional use only).

Limits

Our sources are two secondary reference sites, one machine-translated. The safety picture has changed since 1987 (see the safety file: PAs).

Why researchers looked

The spotted leaves were thought to look like lungs, so from the 15th century the plant was used for lung illness (the old "doctrine of signatures"). Its mucilage (a slippery plant gel) could in theory soothe an irritated throat, but that has not been tested.

Traditional use

Listed in older European herb books for cough, bronchitis, sore throat, asthma and laryngitis. Today it is sold mostly as a minor part of cough and bronchial tea blends in Germany.

Proposed mechanism Traditional use

The mucilage polysaccharides and phenolic acids are the usual explanation (soothing coating, mild anti-inflammatory action). Neither has been shown to work in people.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

A cough that lasts more than a few weeks, or comes with blood, fever or breathlessness, needs a doctor. Lungwort contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (see Safety); do not use it in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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Calming inflammation signals (cell and lab studies)

Not enough evidence

In test tubes and in human immune cells in a dish, lungwort extracts lowered some inflammation signals and blocked the COX-2 enzyme. This does not show it calms inflammation in a person.

2 studiesPhenolic-rich extracts and a 60-70% ethanol extract/tincture were use…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial. Human blood plasma, platelets, blood cells and donor immune cells were used in a dish only.

Results

A 2021 study found P. officinalis extract blocked COX-2 more strongly than P. obscura (IC50 13.28 and 7.24 ug/mL with two substrates). A 2026 study found the ethanol extract lowered IL-6 in donor immune cells to 50.9 +/- 3.7% (as reported); the water infusion, the form closest to tea, was weaker than the ethanol extract.

Effect sizes as reported

COX-2 IC50 13.28 and 7.24 ug/mL; IL-6 to 50.9 +/- 3.7% (ethanol extract)

Why this rating

Insufficient: lab-only (in vitro and computer models); no animal or human outcome.

Form and dose studied

Phenolic-rich extracts and a 60-70% ethanol extract/tincture were used in the lab; not the same as tea.

Who was studied

Cells and enzymes; immune cells from healthy donors.

Limits

Extract levels used in a dish cannot be translated into tea or capsule use. The authors of both papers call the findings preliminary.

Why researchers looked

Cough and bronchitis involve airway inflammation, so researchers tested whether lungwort extracts affect inflammation markers.

Traditional use

Matches the traditional chest use, but nobody has shown the link in people.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Phenolic acids (rosmarinic, lithospermic, salvianolic, yunnaneic acids and others) may bind the COX-2 enzyme (computer docking) and lower cytokines such as IL-6 in cells.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Lab effects are not a reason to use the herb. See the safety file for liver and DNA-damage signals.

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Effects on lung bacteria (cystic fibrosis samples, lab only)

Not enough evidence

In a lab study an extract only weakly slowed Staphylococcus aureus from cystic fibrosis patients. It lowered some bacterial toxin and sticking, but sometimes helped bacteria form a protective film. It is not a treatment for any lung infection.

1 studiesPhenolic-rich fraction of a lungwort extract.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human or animal data.

Results

Weak growth limits (MIC 1-2 mg/mL, called limited efficacy). At lower levels the extract often reduced sticking and alpha-toxin, but in some cases favored biofilm and did not limit sticking to lung cells. No cell toxicity up to 4 mg/mL. The authors suggest at most a preventive role and call for in vivo studies first.

Effect sizes as reported

MIC 1-2 mg/mL; mixed

Why this rating

Insufficient: one laboratory study with mixed results.

Form and dose studied

Phenolic-rich fraction of a lungwort extract.

Who was studied

Bacteria and lung cell lines.

Limits

Test tube only. Mixed or unhelpful results in some conditions.

Why researchers looked

Some lungwort supplements are marketed for chest health, and people with cystic fibrosis sometimes use them, so researchers asked whether an extract helps or harms bacteria growing in CF lungs.

Traditional use

Traditional lung use.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

The authors link the effect to lower sortase A activity (a bacterial enzyme that helps it stick), but the effect was inconsistent.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Not a substitute for cystic fibrosis care. Anyone with cystic fibrosis should talk to their care team before using any herbal supplement.

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Antioxidant activity in the lab

Not enough evidence

Lungwort extracts rich in phenolic acids acted as antioxidants in test tubes and cells. No human study shows an antioxidant benefit from drinking it.

3 studiesMethanol, ethanol and water extracts in the lab.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human data.

Results

Extracts partly protected human blood plasma from peroxynitrite damage (2021) and showed antioxidant activity in all assays tried (2025, 70% ethanol extract). In the 2025 cell study, higher extract levels damaged DNA, while the lowest levels reduced hydrogen-peroxide DNA damage.

Effect sizes as reported

No single effect size; assay results only

Why this rating

Insufficient: antioxidant chemistry in dishes does not predict a benefit in people.

Form and dose studied

Methanol, ethanol and water extracts in the lab.

Who was studied

Cells and chemical tests.

Limits

One fibroblast cell line; extracts, not tea.

Why researchers looked

Phenolic acids such as rosmarinic acid are strong antioxidants in chemistry tests, so lungwort is routinely screened.

Traditional use

Not a traditional use.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Phenolic acids (rosmarinic acid, yunnaneic acid B and relatives) neutralise reactive molecules such as peroxynitrite in plasma and in chemical assays.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

The same 2025 study found DNA damage at higher extract levels. Relevance to tea use is unknown.

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Blood sugar (early lab screen)

Not enough evidence

Lungwort was one of four plants highlighted in a 2024 lab screen for helping cells move sugar transporters. It has not been tested in people.

1 studiesPlant extract; the part used is not stated in the abstract.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human or mammal data.

Results

About 9% of the 772 extracts were hits. Lungwort was named with catechu, spearmint and soapwort as showing potential. No lungwort numbers are in the abstract.

Effect sizes as reported

No lungwort numbers in abstract

Why this rating

Insufficient: an early screening result only.

Form and dose studied

Plant extract; the part used is not stated in the abstract.

Who was studied

Cells and hen's eggs.

Limits

Screening study; no dose, no mammal or human data.

Why researchers looked

Researchers screened 772 plant extracts for activity on GLUT4, the transporter insulin uses to move sugar into cells.

Traditional use

Not a traditional use of lungwort.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Movement of the GLUT4 sugar transporter to the cell surface (cell assay), then a hen's egg blood-glucose test.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Not a reason to use lungwort for diabetes. Do not change diabetes medicines.

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Skin and wounds (traditional and cosmetic use)

Not enough evidence

A medical reference lists external wound use, and lungwort extract is a cosmetic ingredient described as astringent and skin-conditioning. We found no wound-healing study.

2 studiesCosmetic extract (INCI name Pulmonaria officinalis extract) and tradi…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human study on wounds or skin.

Results

None to report.

Effect sizes as reported

Not applicable

Why this rating

Insufficient: reference listings only.

Form and dose studied

Cosmetic extract (INCI name Pulmonaria officinalis extract) and traditional external use.

Who was studied

Not applicable

Limits

Cosmetic review mentions lungwort only in passing; allantoin figures are for other Pulmonaria species.

Why researchers looked

Mucilage, allantoin and tannins are plant substances sometimes used on skin.

Traditional use

Listed for external wound treatment in a medical encyclopedia.

Proposed mechanism Traditional use

Allantoin (reported at about 2-3.5% in the related P. obscura and P. mollis), tannins and mucilage are the proposed reasons. No test on lungwort was found.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Do not put herbs on open wounds without advice.

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Stomach, kidney and urinary complaints (traditional use)

Not enough evidence

A medical reference lists gut, kidney and urinary-tract use in "empirical" medicine. We found no research on these uses.

1 studiesNot applicable

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human or animal study.

Results

None to report.

Effect sizes as reported

Not applicable

Why this rating

Insufficient: a listing in one reference.

Form and dose studied

Not applicable

Who was studied

Not applicable

Limits

One secondary, machine-translated source.

Why researchers looked

Tannins and mucilage are traditionally thought to calm gut and urinary lining.

Traditional use

Listed alongside the cough use in older herb references.

Proposed mechanism Traditional use

No mechanism has been tested.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Persistent stomach or urinary symptoms need a doctor.

Brain and skin-pigment enzyme tests (lab only)

Not enough evidence

In a test tube, lungwort extracts blocked acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase, enzymes linked to memory medicines and skin pigment. This is a chemistry result, not a health benefit.

1 studiesWater and 70% ethanol extracts.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human or animal data.

Results

Water and ethanol extracts blocked acetylcholinesterase by 72.24-94.24% at the highest level (3 mg/mL), with a similar tyrosinase result; the abstract mixes lungwort with another plant.

Effect sizes as reported

AChE 72.24-94.24% at 3 mg/mL (both plants)

Why this rating

Insufficient: test-tube enzyme assays.

Form and dose studied

Water and 70% ethanol extracts.

Who was studied

Not applicable

Limits

Tested a very high level; no cell or animal follow-up.

Why researchers looked

Enzyme-blocking tests are a common first screen for plants.

Traditional use

Not a traditional use.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Phenolic compounds block the enzymes in a test tube.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

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Connections to the rest of health

How Lungwort connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Lung Support	Traditional use	Not enough evidence	Cough and chest complaints (traditional use): Lungwort leaf tea was used for centuries for coughs and chest troubles. No human trial has tested it, and a German expert committee found its benefit unproven.	^{3 2}
Breathing Support	Traditional use	Not enough evidence	Cough and chest complaints (traditional use): Lungwort leaf tea was used for centuries for coughs and chest troubles. No human trial has tested it, and a German expert committee found its benefit unproven.	^{3 2}
Lung Support	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Calming inflammation signals (cell and lab studies): In test tubes and in human immune cells in a dish, lungwort extracts lowered some inflammation signals and blocked the COX-2 enzyme. This does not show it calms inflammation in a person. Effects on lung bacteria (cystic fibrosis samples, lab only): In a lab study an extract only weakly slowed Staphylococcus aureus from cystic fibrosis patients. It lowered some bacterial toxin and sticking, but sometimes helped bacteria form a protective film. It is not a treatment for any lung infection.	^{12 4 16}
Inflammation Balance	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Calming inflammation signals (cell and lab studies): In test tubes and in human immune cells in a dish, lungwort extracts lowered some inflammation signals and blocked the COX-2 enzyme. This does not show it calms inflammation in a person.	^{12 4}
Immune Support	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Effects on lung bacteria (cystic fibrosis samples, lab only): In a lab study an extract only weakly slowed Staphylococcus aureus from cystic fibrosis patients. It lowered some bacterial toxin and sticking, but sometimes helped bacteria form a protective film. It is not a treatment for any lung infection.	¹⁶
Cellular Protection	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Antioxidant activity in the lab: Lungwort extracts rich in phenolic acids acted as antioxidants in test tubes and cells. No human study shows an antioxidant benefit from drinking it.	^{12 11 14}
Healthy Aging	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Antioxidant activity in the lab: Lungwort extracts rich in phenolic acids acted as antioxidants in test tubes and cells. No human study shows an antioxidant benefit from drinking it.	^{12 11 14}
Blood Sugar Balance	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Blood sugar (early lab screen): Lungwort was one of four plants highlighted in a 2024 lab screen for helping cells move sugar transporters. It has not been tested in people.	¹⁵
Metabolic Health	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Blood sugar (early lab screen): Lungwort was one of four plants highlighted in a 2024 lab screen for helping cells move sugar transporters. It has not been tested in people.	¹⁵
Healthy Skin	Traditional use	Not enough evidence	Skin and wounds (traditional and cosmetic use): A medical reference lists external wound use, and lungwort extract is a cosmetic ingredient described as astringent and skin-conditioning. We found no wound-healing study.	^{2 7}
Digestive Support	Traditional use	Not enough evidence	Stomach, kidney and urinary complaints (traditional use): A medical reference lists gut, kidney and urinary-tract use in "empirical" medicine. We found no research on these uses.	²
Brain Health	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Brain and skin-pigment enzyme tests (lab only): In a test tube, lungwort extracts blocked acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase, enzymes linked to memory medicines and skin pigment. This is a chemistry result, not a health benefit.	¹⁴

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Liver	Adverse effect or risk	Theoretical	PAs found in lungwort tea; the EU committee calls toxic PAs liver-toxic. No lungwort case found. Preparation or compound: Lycopsamine and intermedine PAs	^{6 10 8}
Respiratory system	Traditional use	Not enough evidence	Traditional cough herb with no human trials. Preparation or compound: Dried aerial parts	^{3 2}
Respiratory Health	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Cough and chest complaints (traditional use)	^{3 2}
Respiratory System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Cough and chest complaints (traditional use) Studied for: Calming inflammation signals (cell and lab studies)	^{3 2 12 4 16}
Immune System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Calming inflammation signals (cell and lab studies) Studied for: Effects on lung bacteria (cystic fibrosis samples, lab only)	^{12 4 16}
Whole Body Balance	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Antioxidant activity in the lab	^{12 11 14}
Blood Sugar Support	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Blood sugar (early lab screen)	¹⁵
Endocrine System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Blood sugar (early lab screen)	¹⁵
Skin Hair Beauty	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Skin and wounds (traditional and cosmetic use)	^{2 7}
Integumentary System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Skin and wounds (traditional and cosmetic use)	^{2 7}
Digestive System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Stomach, kidney and urinary complaints (traditional use)	²
Urinary System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Stomach, kidney and urinary complaints (traditional use)	²
Nervous System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Brain and skin-pigment enzyme tests (lab only)	¹⁴

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
COX-2 enzyme activity	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: decreased. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹²
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) release	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: decreased. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁴
Staphylococcus aureus toxin and sticking	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁶
GLUT4 sugar transporter movement	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: increased. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁵
Blood glucose	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: unclear. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁵

J. Genes, receptors and enzymes

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
COX-2 (PTGS2)	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Lab enzyme block by lungwort phenolic fractions.	¹²

K. Biological pathways

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
GLUT4 (SLC2A4)	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Cell screen activation.	¹⁵
Inflammation cytokines (TNF, IL-6, IL-1B, IL-8)	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Lowered in donor immune cells by ethanol extract.	⁴

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Mucilage polysaccharides	Biological association	Traditional reference	Listed by a German reference as a main group; no activity data found. Preparation or compound: dried herb	³
Silicic acids	Biological association	Traditional reference	Listed as the herb's mineral content; PubChem CID is for silicic acid in general. Preparation or compound: dried herb	^{3 20}
Allantoin	Biological association	Traditional reference	Skin-soothing substance in cosmetic use; no test on lungwort. Preparation or compound: herb (listed); 2-3.5% dry weight reported for the related P. obscura and P. mollis	^{3 7 20}
Rosmarinic acid	Biological association	In vitro	Computer docking suggested it can bind COX-2; strong antioxidant in the lab. Preparation or compound: aerial parts	^{12 20}
Lithospermic acid	Biological association	In vitro	Named with shimobashiric acid C as possible contributors to the anti-inflammatory effect in donor immune cells. Preparation or compound: aerial parts	^{12 4 20}
Salvianolic, monardic, shimobashiric and yunnaneic acids	Biological association	In vitro	Over 80% of the phenolic-rich fractions; antioxidant and COX-2 binding in the lab. Preparation or compound: aerial parts	^{12 18}
Tannins and flavonoids	Biological association	Traditional reference	Listed by a German reference; no content figures found. Preparation or compound: dried herb	³
Phytol	Biological association	In vitro	Most abundant compound by GC-MS in one ethanol extract; no activity tested. Preparation or compound: 70% ethanol extract	¹¹
Intermedine and lycopsamine (and N-oxides)	Biological association	Observational	Liver-toxic class of plant alkaloids; the main safety concern. Preparation or compound: leaf-type tea material (commercial); mostly roots and rhizomes in P. obscura	^{6 10 20}

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 1 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

Other1

The evidence

The research centre for Lungwort. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read our existing herb summary, searched PubMed and Europe PMC, read the abstract of each PubMed record cited, and checked names in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compounds in PubChem. Regulator pages that could not be opened are marked not found or not verified.

Study library: every study we checked 20

Design Research type Plant part Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Akram 2017 Anti-coagulant activity of plants: mini review Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis · PMID 28866770 · DOI	Narrative review review		Review listing plants with anticoagulant activity, Pulmonaria officinalis among them not given here	The review says many plants, including Pulmonaria officinalis, have anticoagulant activity and should be used with care in people on anticoagulant therapy. The abstract gives no detail for lungwort. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Whether herbs affect anticoagulant therapy Limitations: A short narrative review; the abstract gives no data or doses for lungwort. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in abstract Read: abstract
Altmeyers Encyclopedia (medical reference) 2025 Pulmonariae herba Altmeyers Encyclopedia (medical reference) · Source	Consumer reference reference		not given here	Defines the herb as the dried aerial parts; quality listed in the German Pharmacopoeia. HMPC and ESCOP: not processed. Commission E: negative monograph (efficacy not shown, no risks expected). Empirical uses listed: airway disease and cough, gut, kidney and urinary tract; wound treatment externally; cosmetic extract listed by its INCI name. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Secondary reference, machine-translated; original Commission E text not read. Read: full-text (machine-translated, read 2026-10-25)
Arzneipflanzenlexikon (German herb reference) 2026 Lungenkraut (Pulmonaria officinalis) Arzneipflanzenlexikon (German herb reference) · Source	Consumer reference reference		not given here	Says lungwort is native to Europe from central Sweden to central Italy; the traded herb is the dried leaf, flower and stem harvested in flower, from the northern Balkans. Lists mucilage polysaccharides, tannins, flavonoids and allantoin, with silicic acids as minerals. Names a 15th-century signature-doctrine use for lung complaints. Says HMPC and ESCOP have not covered it; Commission E (1987) gave a negative monograph with no expected risks. States no known side effects or interactions. Strongly advises against use in pregnancy, breastfeeding and under 18 because risk data are missing. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Secondary reference; no citations checked. Its "no known side effects" statement pre-dates and does not account for the PA tea data (Chen 2022). Read: full-text (German, read 2026-10-25)
Authors not captured (see the DOI) 2026 Herbal preparations traditionally used in upper respiratory tract infections: UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MSn phytochemical profiling and anti-inflammatory activity in human immune cell models BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · Source · DOI	Laboratory research in-vitro	Immune cells from healthy donors in a dish (monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils)	Pulmonaria officinalis aerial-part infusion and ethanolic extract/tincture (one of ten herbs) aerial parts not given here	The ethanol extract lowered IL-6 to 50.9 +/- 3.7% (as reported) and, with other herbs, lowered several inflammation signals; the water infusion was weaker than the ethanol extract. Phenolic acids such as lithospermic acid A and shimobashiric acid C were suggested as contributors. IL-6 to 50.9 +/- 3.7% (ethanol extract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8), reactive oxygen species, adhesion proteins Limitations: Cells in a dish; the authors call it preliminary. Preparation matters: the tea-type infusion was weaker. Funding and conflicts: Competing-interest statement present in the article; its content was not read Read: full-text
Byshevskii ASh 1990 [Nature, properties and the mechanism of the effect on blood coagulation of the preparation obtained from Pulmonaria officinalis] Gematologiia i Transfuziologiia · PMID 2079198	Animal experiment animal	Animals	Non-dialyzable fraction of an ammonia extract of Pulmonaria officinalis (a glycopeptide) not stated in abstract not given here	The fraction contained an anticoagulant glycopeptide. Given by injection into a vein it cut total clotting activity 4-5-fold for up to 6 hours in animals. Clotting activity down 4-5-fold Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Blood clotting Limitations: Animal study with an injected, purified fraction; not a tea or capsule. Old, Russian-language. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in abstract Read: abstract
Chen 2022 Risk Assessment of (Herbal) Teas Containing Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs) Based on Margin of Exposure Approach and Relative Potency (REP) Factors Foods · PMID 36230022 · DOI	Laboratory analysis of commercial teas product-analysis	8 Commercial teas from China and EU countries (147 samples, 21 types). The lungwort tea had 8 samples.	Commercial lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) tea, comminuted leaves, steeped 10 minutes in boiling water leaf (comminuted tea material) not given here	All 8 lungwort tea samples contained PAs. Reported total 1769.7 ug/kg dry matter (range 996.5-2753.2); main PAs intermedine N-oxide, lycopsamine N-oxide and intermedine. After a relative-potency correction the total was 37.8 ug/kg. Without correction, lungwort was one of the top three PA teas with a low margin of exposure; with correction it was far higher. The abstract names tephroseris, borage and lemon balm as the teas of concern after correction, not lungwort. Total PA 1769.7 ug/kg dry matter (range 996.5-2753.2); corrected 37.8 Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: 68 individual 1,2-unsaturated PAs by LC-MS/MS; margin-of-exposure risk estimate for one cup of tea a day. Limitations: Eight samples of one tea type, bought in one country in 2020 (per the study table); the exposure model assumes one cup a day and lacks diet-survey data (authors). Not a measure of harm in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in what we read Read: abstract+full-text
Chrzanowska 2024 Metabolites Obtained from Boraginaceae Plants as Potential Cosmetic Ingredients - A Review Chrzanowska E, et al. (Molecules) · Source	Review reference		not given here	Lists Pulmonaria officinalis extract as a skin-conditioning, astringent cosmetic ingredient; says P. officinalis seed contains gamma-linolenic acid and that P. obscura and P. mollis are sources of allantoin (about 2-3.5% dry weight). Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Cosmetic review; lungwort is a minor mention. Allantoin figure is for other Pulmonaria species. Read: full-text (searched for lungwort only)
European Medicines Agency (HMPC) 2014 Public statement on herbal medicinal products containing toxic, unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) - first version (2014) European Medicines Agency (HMPC) · Source	Regulator document reference		not given here	Per our earlier summary of this document: the committee says liver toxicity from toxic PAs is established and that children, pregnant and breastfeeding women are at particular risk. It does not name lungwort. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: NOT re-opened in this build; the later (2021) statement and its numeric limits were not read. Read: summary-only
GBIF 2026 GBIF species match: Pulmonaria officinalis, Lobaria pulmonaria, Pulmonaria obscura GBIF · Source	Database record reference		not given here	P. officinalis L. = accepted species key 5341204, Boraginaceae, Boraginales, Plantae. Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. = accepted species key 5260693, Lobariaceae, Peltigerales, kingdom Fungi (a lichen). P. obscura Dumort. = accepted species key 5439925. GBIF also lists English names for the lichen including "lungwort", "lung lichen" and "tree lungwort". Methods, limits and funding Read: api-record (2026-10-25)
Haberer 2002 Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Pulmonaria obscura Planta Medica · PMID 12058336 · DOI	Plant chemistry analysis plant	Wild plants from two localities	Pulmonaria obscura (a close relative of lungwort), GC-MS leaves, roots and rhizomes, flowers not given here	Roots and rhizomes held lycopsamine-type PAs (intermedine, lycopsamine and their derivatives), 0.026 to 0.158 mg/g dry weight. Leaves and flower clusters held only trace amounts (below 0.4 ng/mg dry weight). Roots/rhizomes 0.026-0.158 mg/g; leaves and flowers trace Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: PA content by plant part Limitations: Different species (P. obscura), not P. officinalis. Wild plants, not products. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in abstract Read: abstract
Ignjatijevic 2025 Assessment of Antioxidant Activity and Dose-Dependent Effect on Genotoxicity/Antigenotoxicity of Pulmonaria officinalis Ethanolic Extract Pharmaceutics · PMID 41012471 · DOI	Laboratory research in-vitro	Normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5)	70% ethanol extract of Pulmonaria officinalis not stated in abstract not given here	The extract was rich in polyphenols (phytol was the most abundant compound by GC-MS) and showed antioxidant activity in all tests. Cell viability fell (to 33.7%) only at the highest level tested. Higher levels damaged DNA; the lowest levels reduced hydrogen-peroxide DNA damage (the authors call this a hormetic pattern). Viability 33.7% at the highest level Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Antioxidant assays; cell viability; comet assay for DNA damage Limitations: One cell line. Extract levels cannot be linked to tea drinking. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in abstract Read: abstract
Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk 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 · PMID 33530389 · DOI	In vitro and in silico in-vitro	Human blood plasma, platelets and blood cells in a dish; COX-2 enzyme assay	Phenolic-rich fractions of Pulmonaria officinalis and P. obscura aerial parts not given here	Phenolic acids made up over 80% of the fractions (rosmarinic, lithospermic, salvianolic, monardic, shimobashiric and yunnaneic acids). The extracts partly protected blood plasma from peroxynitrite damage and were safe to platelets and blood cells in this model. P. officinalis blocked COX-2 more strongly (IC50 13.28 and 7.24 ug/mL with two substrates). Computer docking suggested ten compounds could bind the enzyme. COX-2 IC50 13.28 and 7.24 ug/mL Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Oxidative damage markers in plasma; COX-2 enzyme inhibition; computer docking Limitations: Lab and computer study only. Results may not hold in the body. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in abstract Read: abstract
Luthy 1984 [Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in medicinal plants of Boraginaceae: Borago officinalis L. and Pulmonaria officinalis L.] Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetiae · PMID 6483923	Plant chemistry analysis plant		Borago officinalis and Pulmonaria officinalis not given here	NOT VERIFIED: PubMed has no abstract for this 1984 German-language paper and we could not read it. We cite only that it exists and is about PAs in P. officinalis. We state no numbers from it. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Title only. Read: title-only
Neagu 2018 Antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory potential of Pulmonaria officinalis and Centarium umbellatum extracts Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences · PMID 29686522 · DOI	Laboratory research in-vitro		Water and ethanol extracts of Pulmonaria officinalis (and Centaurium umbellatum) not stated in abstract not given here	Extracts blocked acetylcholinesterase (72.24-94.24% at the highest level, 3 mg/mL) and tyrosinase, and showed antioxidant activity in test-tube assays. The authors call them possible natural antioxidant sources. AChE inhibition 72.24-94.24% at 3 mg/mL (both plants) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Antioxidant assays; enzyme inhibition Limitations: Test tube only; the range covers more than one extract and the abstract mixes both plants. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in abstract Read: abstract
Neuhauser 2024 Insulin-Mimetic Activity of Herbal Extracts Identified with Large-Scale Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy Nutrients · PMID 39064624 · DOI	In vitro screen plus egg model in-vitro	772 plant extracts screened in cells; some tested in a hen's egg model	Pulmonaria officinalis extract (one of four highlighted) not stated in abstract not given here	About 9% of the 772 extracts activated GLUT4 movement. Lungwort was one of four plants (with catechu, spearmint and soapwort) the authors say showed potential as antidiabetic nutraceuticals. No numbers for lungwort are in the abstract. No lungwort numbers in abstract Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: GLUT4 sugar-transporter movement in cells; blood glucose in the hen's egg test Limitations: Early screen only; no animal-mammal or human data. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in abstract Read: abstract
Sadowska 2019 The Pros and Cons of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Patient Use of Herbal Supplements Containing Pulmonaria officinalis L. Extract: the Evidence from In Vitro Study Molecules · PMID 30909529 · DOI	Laboratory research in-vitro	Staphylococcus aureus strains from cystic fibrosis patients, and lung cell lines	Pulmonaria officinalis phenolic-rich extract fraction not stated in abstract not given here	The extract only weakly limited bacterial growth (MIC 1-2 mg/mL, called limited efficacy by the authors). At lower levels it often reduced bacterial sticking and alpha-toxin, but sometimes helped biofilm form and did not stop sticking to lung cells. No cell toxicity up to 4 mg/mL. The authors say it may be useful as prevention, not as treatment, and that animal or human studies are needed. MIC 1-2 mg/mL; mixed effects Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Bacterial growth, sticking, biofilm, toxin; cell toxicity Limitations: Test-tube study. Mixed results. Not tested in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in abstract Read: abstract
Several 2026 Regulator and database search for lungwort (HMPC, NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed, FDA) Several · Source	Not found record reference		not given here	No EMA/HMPC herbal monograph was found (two secondary references say none exists). No NCCIH, LiverTox or LactMed lungwort record was found. A PubMed search for lungwort or Pulmonaria with liver injury, pregnancy or trial words returned no lungwort case report or trial; the one human hit was a fixed homeopathic combination for sinusitis, not read or used. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Absence of a record is not proof of safety. EMA, NCCIH, LiverTox and LactMed pages were not individually opened. Read: not found
p30200600 Novel Phenolic Constituents of Pulmonaria officinalis L. LC-MS/MS Comparison of Spring and Autumn Metabolite Profiles · Source	Plant chemistry analysis plant			Methods, limits and funding Read: abstract
s-ncbi-tax NCBI Taxonomy search: Pulmonaria officinalis (taxid 136616), Lobaria pulmonaria (taxid 86794) · Source	Database record reference			Methods, limits and funding Read: api-record (2026-10-25)
s-pubchem PubChem name lookups: rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid, allantoin, silicic acid, intermedine, lycopsamine · Source	Database record reference			Methods, limits and funding Read: api-record (2026-10-25)

What we do not know yet

No human trial, case series or case report of lungwort for any use.
PA content of products other than 8 tea samples is unknown.
No pregnancy, breastfeeding or interaction data.
Lab studies used extracts stronger than tea.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any rating or safety wording.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Metabolic 1

●

Blood glucose

Unclear in trials

The amount of sugar in the blood.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Main outcome in diabetes.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A hen's egg model was used in the 2024 study; no lungwort result is in the abstract and no human glucose data exist.

Safety implication

None known.

¹⁵

Inflammatory 1

●

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) release

Decreased in trials

IL-6 is a messenger protein immune cells release during inflammation.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Shows whether an extract quiets stimulated immune cells.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Cell-dish result; the authors call it preliminary.

Safety implication

None known.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁴	Ethanol extract of P. officinalis aerial parts lowered IL-6 to 50.9 +/- 3.7% (as reported)	Donor immune cells (monocytes/macrophages) in a dish	Ethanol extract/tincture of P. officinalis; the infusion was weaker

⁴

Other 3

●

COX-2 enzyme activity

Decreased in trials

COX-2 is an enzyme that helps make inflammation signals (prostaglandins). Drugs such as celecoxib block it.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used in a lab screen to see whether an extract may calm inflammation.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A test-tube result on an isolated enzyme. It says nothing about effects in the body.

Safety implication

None known from this assay.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹²	P. officinalis phenolic-rich fraction blocked COX-2: IC50 13.28 ug/mL (synthetic substrate) and 7.24 ug/mL (arachidonic acid)	Purified enzyme assay	Phenolic-rich fraction of P. officinalis aerial parts

¹²

↕

Staphylococcus aureus toxin and sticking

Mixed results in trials

How strongly bacteria stick to lung cells and make alpha-toxin, a harmful protein.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Tests whether an extract blunts bacterial harm without killing the bacteria.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Mixed lab result.

Safety implication

Some tests showed more biofilm, so it could in theory help bacteria; do not self-treat a lung infection.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁶	Usually less alpha-toxin and less sticking; in some cases more biofilm and no limit on sticking to lung cells	CF-associated S. aureus strains and A549 lung cells	Phenolic-rich fraction of P. officinalis extract

¹⁶

●

GLUT4 sugar transporter movement

Increased in trials

GLUT4 is the transporter that moves blood sugar into muscle and fat cells when insulin acts.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A cell-level screen for insulin-like activity.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Cell screen result only.

Safety implication

If it truly lowered blood sugar it could add to diabetes drugs, but this was not shown.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁵	Lungwort extract was named among four plants with GLUT4-activating potential; no numbers in the abstract	Cell assay	Pulmonaria officinalis extract

¹⁵

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 5

It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can harm the liver. A 2022 lab analysis of 8 commercial lungwort tea samples found PAs in all of them (reported total 1769.7 ug/kg dry matter, range 996.5-2753.2), mainly intermedine and lycopsamine types. A study of the close relative P. obscura found lycopsamine-type PAs mostly in the roots and rhizomes (0.026-0.158 mg/g) and only trace amounts in leaves and flowers. The amount in any one product is unknown, and no lungwort liver-injury case was found. The EU committee says liver toxicity from toxic PAs is established, so treat lungwort as a PA herb. Observational ^{6 10 8}
Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children and teenagers. A German herb reference strongly advises against use in pregnancy, breastfeeding and under 18 because risk data are missing, and cough herbs with better evidence exist. The EU committee names children, pregnant and breastfeeding women as the people most at risk from PAs. Consumer reference ^{3 8}
Liver disease, and other plant products with PAs. People with liver disease, heavy alcohol use, or who take other PA plants (comfrey, borage, coltsfoot, butterbur and other borage-family herbs) should not add lungwort. PA harm is cumulative in theory, but no study tested this for lungwort. Theoretical ^{8 6}
"No known side effects" is an old statement. A German reference lists no known side effects or interactions, and Commission E (1987) expected no risk. That does not account for the PA data and rests on a lack of reports, not on safety studies. Consumer reference ^{3 2}
Do not self-treat a lasting cough. A cough lasting more than two to three weeks, or with blood, fever, wheeze or breathlessness, needs a doctor. Lungwort has no human evidence for treating any chest illness. Expert opinion ^{3 17}

Side effects 3

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
No side effects reported in people No clinical trial or case series exists, so side effects have not been looked for. "None known" is not the same as "none".	Not established	unknown unknown	Absence of evidence ^{3 17}
DNA damage in human lung fibroblast cells at higher extract levels (cell study) A 70% ethanol extract was genotoxic at higher levels in one cell line, and protective at the lowest levels. Relevance to tea is unknown.	Not established	unknown unknown	Laboratory research ¹¹
Possible liver injury from PAs (theoretical for this herb) Seen with other PA plants; no lungwort case found.	Not established	potentially serious unknown	Theoretical ^{6 10 8}

Liver

No liver injury linked to lungwort was found in a PubMed search or in the references read, and no LiverTox record was found. But lungwort tea contains 1,2-unsaturated PAs (intermedine and lycopsamine types, in the N-oxide form mostly), the group the EU committee calls liver-toxic. A risk model in the 2022 study put lungwort tea in a low margin-of-exposure group before correcting for the lower potency of its PAs and in a much safer group after correcting. The authors named tephroseris, borage and lemon balm as the teas of concern after correction. Overall the liver risk of occasional use is unquantified; regular or long use is the concern. ^{6 10 8 17}

How often. Unknown. No case reports found.

Monitoring. No source we read gives monitoring advice for lungwort. Tell a doctor about yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, belly swelling or pain, or unusual tiredness.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Lungwort supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 4

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Other herbs and supplements with PAs (comfrey, borage, coltsfoot, butterbur) herb	Each adds liver-toxic PAs; combined exposure is higher.	Theoretical; not studied for lungwort.	Theoretical Very low certainty ^{8 6}	Do not combine PA herbs.
Alcohol and medicines that can strain the liver (for example high-dose paracetamol, some antifungals) drug	Extra liver load on top of PAs.	Theoretical; no study.	Theoretical Very low certainty ⁸	Ask a pharmacist before combining; avoid with known liver disease.
Blood thinners (warfarin, heparin, DOACs) and antiplatelet drugs drug	A 1990 animal study found an anticoagulant glycopeptide in a lungwort extract (injected). A 2017 review lists lungwort among plants with anticoagulant activity and advises care with anticoagulant therapy.	Unknown for tea or capsules; the animal work used a purified fraction given into a vein.	Animal research Very low certainty ^{5 1}	Tell the prescriber if you take blood thinners, and before surgery.
Diabetes medicines drug	A cell screen suggested sugar-transporter activity.	Not shown in animals or people.	Laboratory research Very low certainty ¹⁵	No known interaction; ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Who should check first 6

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Pregnancy	Avoid.	Consumer reference ^{3 8}
Breastfeeding	Avoid. No LactMed record was found.	Consumer reference ^{3 8 17}
Children and teenagers under 18	Avoid.	Consumer reference ^{3 8}
Liver disease, or taking other PA herbs	Avoid.	Theoretical ⁸
Cystic fibrosis or other chronic lung disease	Talk to your care team first; lab data on CF bacteria were mixed.	Laboratory research ¹⁶
Before surgery, or on blood thinners	Tell your doctor.	Animal research ^{5 1}

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. No formal toxicity study of lungwort in animals or people was found. The concern is the PA content, which differs by plant part.

Animal. No oral toxicity study found. The 1990 animal study used an injected, purified anticoagulant fraction.

Human doses studied. No human dose study exists.

High dose or long term signals. The EU committee statement (read earlier, second-hand) flags liver toxicity from toxic PAs. A cell study found DNA damage at higher extract levels.

Overdose response. Not described in any source read.

Genotoxicity. One cell study (MRC-5 fibroblasts, comet assay): genotoxic at higher levels of a 70% ethanol extract, protective against H2O2 damage at the lowest.

Toxic plant parts. In the related P. obscura, roots and rhizomes held far more PAs (0.026-0.158 mg/g) than leaves and flowers (traces, below 0.4 ng/mg). Commercial lungwort tea (leaf-type material) still contained PAs in all 8 samples.

PAs are natural to the plant, not a contaminant. No adulteration data for lungwort were found. A separate confusion risk is the lichen also called lungwort.

PA levels vary. Eight tea samples ranged about 2.8-fold in total PA (996.5-2753.2 ug/kg). A 1984 Swiss paper on PAs in Pulmonaria officinalis exists but its content could not be read. ^{6 13}

Same name, different organism. "Lungwort" is also an English name for the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria, a fungus-alga partnership, not a flowering plant. Its safety was not assessed here. Check the Latin name on a product label. ⁹

Body	Action	Date

When to get medical help

Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, swollen belly, or belly pain on the right side.
Vomiting blood or black stools.
Coughing up blood, trouble breathing, chest pain, or high fever.
Unusual bleeding or bruising if you take blood thinners.

Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is lungwort?

Lungwort is Pulmonaria officinalis, a spotted-leaf woodland plant of the borage family. Its dried leaf, flower and stem are used as a traditional tea for coughs and chest complaints.

^{9 3}

Is lungwort the same as the lichen called lungwort?

No. The lichen Lobaria pulmonaria is a fungus-and-alga partnership, not a flowering plant. It is also called lungwort or lung lichen because of its lung-like look. This page is about the herb. Check the Latin name on a product.

⁹

Does lungwort work for cough or bronchitis?

Nobody knows. No human trial was found, and Germany's Commission E judged the benefit unproven in 1987 (second-hand reading). Lab studies show effects on inflammation signals, but those do not show it helps a person.

^{3 2 12}

Does lungwort contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids?

Yes. A 2022 analysis found PAs in all 8 lungwort tea samples. In a close relative the roots held most of them. These alkaloids can damage the liver, so the amount in a product matters and is usually unknown.

^{6 10}

Is lungwort liver-toxic?

It carries a type of alkaloid known to harm the liver, but we found no lungwort case of liver injury and no safety study. The risk of occasional use is unquantified. Regular or long use is the main worry. Tell a doctor about yellow skin or dark urine.

^{6 8 17}

Is lungwort safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Avoid it. A German reference strongly advises against use in pregnancy, breastfeeding and under 18, and the EU committee names these groups as most at risk from PAs. No LactMed record was found.

^{3 8}

Is it safe for children?

Avoid it for anyone under 18. Risk data are missing and children are most at risk from PAs.

^{3 8}

Why do reference books say "no known side effects"?

That statement is based on a lack of reports, not on safety studies, and it does not account for the PA analysis. Absence of reports is not proof of safety.

^{3 6}

Does it interact with medicines?

No interaction study exists. In theory it adds to liver strain from other PA herbs, alcohol or liver-affecting drugs. An old animal study and a review point to anticoagulant activity, so tell your prescriber if you take blood thinners.

^{5 1 8}

What is in lungwort?

A German reference lists mucilage, tannins, flavonoids, allantoin and silicic acids. Lab work finds mostly phenolic acids such as rosmarinic and lithospermic acid. The PAs intermedine and lycopsamine are also present.

^{3 12 18 6}

Can it help blood sugar?

There is no human evidence. One 2024 lab screen of 772 extracts named it among four plants worth studying. Do not change diabetes medicines.

¹⁵

When should I see a doctor about a cough?

See a doctor if a cough lasts more than two to three weeks, or comes with blood, fever, wheeze or breathlessness. Ask a doctor or pharmacist what suits you, especially in pregnancy, with liver problems or for children.

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We read our existing herb summary, searched PubMed and Europe PMC, read the abstract of each PubMed record cited, and checked names in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compounds in PubChem. Regulator pages that could not be opened are marked not found or not verified.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.

Sources 20

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

Akram M, Rashid A. Anti-coagulant activity of plants: mini review. Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis. 2017. PMID 28866770. DOI 10.1007/s11239-017-1546-5. (abstract)
Altmeyers Encyclopedia (medical reference). Pulmonariae herba. Altmeyers Encyclopedia (medical reference). 2025. (full-text (machine-translated, read 2026-10-25))
Arzneipflanzenlexikon (German herb reference). Lungenkraut (Pulmonaria officinalis). Arzneipflanzenlexikon (German herb reference). 2026. (full-text (German, read 2026-10-25))
Authors not captured (see the DOI). Herbal preparations traditionally used in upper respiratory tract infections: UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MSn phytochemical profiling and anti-inflammatory activity in human immune cell models. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 2026. DOI 10.1186/s12906-026-05374-7. (full-text)
Byshevskii ASh, Gerbert IIa. [Nature, properties and the mechanism of the effect on blood coagulation of the preparation obtained from Pulmonaria officinalis]. Gematologiia i Transfuziologiia. 1990. PMID 2079198. (abstract)
Chen L, et al.. Risk Assessment of (Herbal) Teas Containing Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs) Based on Margin of Exposure Approach and Relative Potency (REP) Factors. Foods. 2022. PMID 36230022. DOI 10.3390/foods11192946. (abstract+full-text)
Chrzanowska E, et al. (Molecules). Metabolites Obtained from Boraginaceae Plants as Potential Cosmetic Ingredients - A Review. Chrzanowska E, et al. (Molecules). 2024. (full-text (searched for lungwort only))
European Medicines Agency (HMPC). Public statement on herbal medicinal products containing toxic, unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) - first version (2014). European Medicines Agency (HMPC). 2014. (summary-only)
GBIF. GBIF species match: Pulmonaria officinalis, Lobaria pulmonaria, Pulmonaria obscura. GBIF. 2026. (api-record (2026-10-25))
Haberer W, Witte L, Hartmann T, Dobler S. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Pulmonaria obscura. Planta Medica. 2002. PMID 12058336. DOI 10.1055/s-2002-32088. (abstract)
Ignjatijevic A, Andjic T, Ljesevic M, et al.. Assessment of Antioxidant Activity and Dose-Dependent Effect on Genotoxicity/Antigenotoxicity of Pulmonaria officinalis Ethanolic Extract. Pharmaceutics. 2025. PMID 41012471. DOI 10.3390/pharmaceutics17091134. (abstract)
Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk J, Kowalczyk M, Ponczek MB, et al.. Pulmonaria obscura and Pulmonaria officinalis Extracts as Mitigators of Peroxynitrite-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors - In Vitro and In Silico Studies. Molecules. 2021. PMID 33530389. DOI 10.3390/molecules26030631. (abstract)
Luthy J, Brauchli J, Zweifel U, Schmid P, Schlatter C. [Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in medicinal plants of Boraginaceae: Borago officinalis L. and Pulmonaria officinalis L.]. Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetiae. 1984. PMID 6483923. (title-only)
Neagu E, Radu GL, Albu C, Paun G. Antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory potential of Pulmonaria officinalis and Centarium umbellatum extracts. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 2018. PMID 29686522. DOI 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.02.016. (abstract)
Neuhauser C, Schwarzinger B, Schwarzinger C, et al.. Insulin-Mimetic Activity of Herbal Extracts Identified with Large-Scale Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy. Nutrients. 2024. PMID 39064624. DOI 10.3390/nu16142182. (abstract)
Sadowska B, Wojcik U, Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk J, et al.. The Pros and Cons of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Patient Use of Herbal Supplements Containing Pulmonaria officinalis L. Extract: the Evidence from In Vitro Study. Molecules. 2019. PMID 30909529. DOI 10.3390/molecules24061151. (abstract)
Several. Regulator and database search for lungwort (HMPC, NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed, FDA). Several. 2026. (not found)
. Novel Phenolic Constituents of Pulmonaria officinalis L. LC-MS/MS Comparison of Spring and Autumn Metabolite Profiles. . . (abstract)
. NCBI Taxonomy search: Pulmonaria officinalis (taxid 136616), Lobaria pulmonaria (taxid 86794). . . (api-record (2026-10-25))
. PubChem name lookups: rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid, allantoin, silicic acid, intermedine, lycopsamine. . . (api-record (2026-10-25))

Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.