Primrose Plant Benefits

When spring comes, the primrose plant is one of the first to bloom. Its flowers are highly appreciated as ornamental and aromatic. The great physicians and botanists of ancient times did not know this plant, which has been used in phytotherapy since the 16^th century.

Primrose Plant Scientific Facts

1. Scientific synonyms: Primula Officinalis L.
2. Other names: Butter rose, English cowslip, cowslip.
3. French: Primevere.
4. Spanish: Primavera.
5. Environment: Meadows and sunny forests of the mountainous regions in Europe, from which it was carried to some warm areas of America.
6. Description: Vivacious, herbaceous plant of the Primulaceae family, with large, oval-shaped leaves growing from the plant’s base. The stem is from 15 to 30 cm high, ending in a yellow flower umbel.
7. Parts of the plant used medicinally: The root, the rhizome (underground stem), and the flowers.

Healing Properties and Warning

The root and the rhizome of the primrose plant contain a high amount of triterpenic saponins, the most important of which is primuline. These substances have expectorant and mucolytic properties. They also include two phenolic heterosides, derivatives from the salicylic acid (primaverine and primulaverine), which employing hydrolysis become derivatives of the salicylic acid and give the plant its analgesic anti-inflammatory, and antirheumatic properties. Bear in mind that aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, a synthetic derivative of salicylic acid. Hence, the two main applications of the primrose root are:

1. Respiratory disorders in which an increase of the fluidity of the bronchial secretions is required to ease their expulsions: acute and chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and bronchial pneumonia, among others. The plant is also helpful in simple bronchial catarrh and in easing fits of coughing. Although the thinning and expectorant properties of the primrose saponins are not as strong as those of senega snakeroot, it is a valuable plant.
2. Rheumatic disorders, gout, and externally applied as an anti-inflammatory in the case of bruises, sprains, and muscular aches.

Moreover, the flowers of the primrose plant contain flavonoids and carotene (provitamin A). They have two main applications:

1. Because of its antispasmodic and sedative properties, it is used in the treatment of migraines and headaches. Their tasteful flavor makes the primrose infusion a good remedy for calming hyperactivity or nervous children.
2. Because of its depurative and diuretic properties, it is used to treat gout and kidney stones, combined with other diuretic plants.

WARNING! Some garden-growing varieties of the primrose plant have urticant hairs on their leaves, which may cause skin irritation and even allergic reaction.

How to use Primrose

1. Decoction with 30-50 g of ground root and/or rhizome per liter of water, boiled for 15 minutes. Drink three or four hot cups daily, sweetened with honey.
2. Infusion with 20-30 g of flowers per liter of water. Drink up to five cups a day.
3. Compresses, soaked in the same infusion used internally, but slightly more concentrated, then applied on the affected area.

REFERENCES

George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 328, 329. Print.