Coltsfoot Leaves, 1 lb. Coltsfoot or Tussilago farfara is a plant in the family Asteraceae. It has been used medicinally as a cough suppressant. The name "tussilago" itself means "cough suppressant." The plant has been used since at least historical times to treat lung ailments such as asthma as well as various coughs by way of smoking. Its crushed flowers supposedly cured skin conditions, and the plant has been consumed as a food item.