LUNGWORT -PULMONARIA OFFICINALIS - Oral

Date

December 19, 2025

Proper name(s), Common name(s), Source information

References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Common names: USDA 2024, Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: Williamson 2003, BHP 1983.

Route(s) of Administration

Oral

Dosage form(s)

This monograph excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of Monographs Guidance Document.

Acceptable dosage forms for use are indicated in the dosage form drop-down list of the web-based Product Licence Application form for Compendial applications.

Use(s) or Purpose(s)

• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as an expectorant) to help relieve the symptoms of bronchitis and mucous buildup of the (upper) respiratory tract (catarrhs) (Wichtl 2004; Williamson 2003; BHP 1983; Remington et al. 1918).
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as a demulcent) to help relieve sore throat (Williamson 2003; Bisset and Wichtl 2001; BHP 1983; Sayre 1917).
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as an astringent and/or a demulcent) to help relieve diarrhoea (Wichtl 2004; Williamson 2003; BHP 1983; Lust 1974; Sayre 1917).
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as an astringent and/or a demulcent) to help relieve haemorrhoids (Williamson 2003; BHP 1983; Lust 1974; Sayre 1917).
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as a mild diuretic (Bisset and Wichtl 2001; Lust 1974).

Notes

• The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as an expectorant to help relieve the symptoms of bronchitis, reduce mucous buildup of the upper respiratory tract and as a demulcent to help relieve sore throat).
• For multi-ingredient products:
  • To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific medicinal ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Lungwort is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a mild diuretic).
  • ALL of the medicinal ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.

Dose(s)

Subpopulation(s)

Adults 18 years and older

Quantity(ies)

Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)

2 – 4 grams of dried leaves, 3 times per day (Williamson 2003; BHP 1983).

*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation “Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract)” as part of this monograph are ethanol and/or water only.

Direction(s) for use

No statement required.

Duration(s) of use

Diuretic

For occasional use only (Berardi et al. 2002; CPA 2002).

Other uses

No statement required.

Risk information

Caution(s) and warning(s)

• Ask a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician if symptoms persist or worsen.
• Ask a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Contraindication(s)

No statement required.

Known adverse reaction(s)

All products except those making a diuretic claim

When using this product diuretic effect may occur.

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID) and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Storage conditions

Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the Natural Health Products Regulations.

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) Quality of Natural Health Products Guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the NHPID.

EXAMPLE OF PRODUCT FACTS:

Consult the Guidance Document, Labelling of Natural Health Products for more details.

References Cited

• Berardi RR, DeSimone EM, Newton GD, Oszko MA, Popovich NG, Rollins CJ, Shimp LA, Tietze KJ, editors. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care, 13^th edition. Washington (DC): American Pharmaceutical Association; 2002.
• BHP 1983: British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Cowling (UK): British Herbal Medical Association; 1983.
• Bisset NG, Wichtl M, editors. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A Handbook for Practice on a Scientific Basis, 2^nd edition. Stuttgart (D): Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers; 2001.
• CPA 2002: Canadian Pharmacists Association. Patient Self-Care. Helping Patients Make Therapeutic Choices. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2002.
• Gardner Z, McGuffin M, editors. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. 2^nd edition. Boca Ration (FL): Taylor and Francis Group; 2013.
• Lust J. The Herb Book. New York (NY): Bantam Books Incorporated, published by arrangement with Benedict Lust Publications; 1974.
• Remington JP and Woods HC, et al. editors. The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 20^th edition. 1918. [Accessed 2024 November 25]. Available from: http://www.swsbm.com/Dispensatory/USD-1918-complete.pdf
• Sayre LE. A Manuel of Organic Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy, 4^th edition. Philadelphia (PA): P. Blakiston's Son & Co; 1917. [Accessed 2024 November 25]. Available from: http://www.swsbm.com/SayreMM/SayreMM.html
• USDA 2024: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) – Global. U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. [Accessed 2024 November 14]. Available from: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch
• Wichtl M, editor. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A Handbook for Practice on a Scientific Basis, 3^rd edition. Stuttgart (D): Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers; 2004.
• Williamson EM. Potter's Herbal Cyclopaedia: The Authoritative Reference work on Plants with a Known Medical Use. Saffron Walden (UK): The C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 2003.

References Reviewed

• Blumenthal M. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Austin (TX): American Botanical Council; 1998.
• Chevallier A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. London (UK): Dorling Kindersley Limited; 1996.
• Duke JA, Bogenschutz-Godwin MJ, duCellier J, Duke PK. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, 2^nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2002.
• Gruenwald J, Bendler T, Jaenicke C, editors. PDR for Herbal Medicines, 3^rd edition. Montvale (NJ): Thompson PDR; 2004.
• Wiersema J, León B. World Economic Plants: A Standard Reference. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press LLC; 1999.
• Williamson EM, Evans FJ, Wren RC. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Saffron Walden (UK): C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 1988.