In the past, European healers believed that the appearance of a plant gave a sign of what it should be used for in healing – this was called the “Doctrine of Signatures.” For example, the spots on the leaves of this plant reminded healers of the spots in diseased lungs (tuberculosis or bronchopneumonia), so they called the plant lungwort (Pulmonaria) and used it to treat lung ailments. Native Americans had the same idea, referred to as the “Law of Similars.” Lungwort also was used as a topical astringent for wounds and hemorrhoids. A totally different plant lung moss (Lobaria pulmonaria) is also a medicinal plant (lichen) and is sometimes called “lungwort”.

Part used::
Leaves

Origin:
Europe

Hull, Kathleen; Photog. Hull, Meredith /Indiana Medical History Museum: Guide to the Medicinal Plant Garden./ USA: Indiana Medical History Museum. 2010. -- p. 58.