Primula healing properties. Primrose
(Primula veris L.)
Primrose spring, primrose drug or primrose real - family primrose, dicotyledon class. The spring primrose is also called the ram, as we called these flowers in childhood.
Its young leaves are wrinkled, wavy on the edge, covered with velvety fluff from below, like the skin of a young lamb. As they grow, the leaves are smoothed. Primrose spring is also called the key - its inflorescence resembles a bunch of keys. There was a legend that these
the golden keys of the goddess of spring unlock the doors to summer to warm weather, green grass and flowers. Primrose grows in light mixed and deciduous forests, on forest edges and grassy slopes. It blooms in April - May, while the forests are a little darkened foliage.
Spring primrose is a perennial plant with a powerful rhizome with numerous cord-like roots, from which rosette of oval-shaped leaves leaves, narrowed into a winged petiole, and several leafless upright peduncles 10-20 cm tall, appearing one after another as they blossom, with umbrella-shaped inflorescences golden yellow flowers with a pleasant honey aroma. In the yellow color, the corolla of the flower stains the pigment anthochlor in the cell sap - the same that stains the fruits of lemon.
The fruit is an erect box with teeth on the top - they open, and in good weather, the seeds are scattered by the wind, in bad weather the teeth are bent inward, and the box closes.
The leaves, flowers and the whole plant are collected and dried during or at the end of flowering, dried quickly and, if possible, heated to a temperature of 60 degrees, while vitamin C is stored almost completely. All the beneficial properties of the dried plant are preserved during the year of storage.
Rhizomes with roots are harvested in spring or autumn, cleaned, washed, dried and dried outdoors in the shade or at a temperature of 35 ÷ 40 ° C.
In primrose medicinal properties, the whole plant possesses: leaves, flowers, flower arrows, roots. Flower arrows eat fresh - they are juicy, tender, they have a lot of vitamins, which are so necessary in early spring.
Rhizomes and roots contain glycosides, saponins, essential oils and vitamins. Preparations from the roots and rhizomes are prescribed as an expectorant for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, chronic tracheitis and bronchitis, and bronchopneumonia. But most often these drugs are used in combination with chamomile, calendula medicinal and aniseed.
The leaves of the spring primrose are champions among the greenery in the content of ascorbic acid - vitamin C, and the leaves also contain provitamin A - carotene, saponins. Leaves are used to treat hypo-and avitaminosis. Not without reason in England and the Netherlands spring primrose is cultivated as a valuable salad plant - vitamin salads are made from leaves.
Primrose in Latin. The scientific generic name Primula comes from the Latin word prima - “first”, the diminutive form of this word is given for the fact that the primrose spring blooms in the earliest spring, one of the first, hence the Russian generic name primrose. The scientific specific name veris is translated from the Latin as "spring."
About primrose is known from ancient times and a lot of legends. The ancient Greeks believed that in it lies the healing principle against all diseases, it was considered the medicinal flower of Olympus. In ancient times, they were treated for paralysis and pain in the joints, so that in medicine it is still often called paralysis grass. In England, primrose was called a magical flower and it was believed that fabulous tiny fairies and gnomes found shelter in the wilted flowers of primroses during a bad weather season.
Primrose healing properties application
Primrose spring due to the presence of saponins gives antitussive, diaphoretic and diuretic effect. Expectorant effect in diseases of the respiratory tract, inflammation of the lungs due to the fact that saponins contained in the plant, increase the secretion of bronchial glands and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Drugs accelerate the metabolism, increase the secretion of gastric juice.
When coughing, bronchitis, diseases of the upper respiratory tract
apply roots and rhizomes in the form of a decoction or infusion:
- decoction: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of chopped roots pour 1 cup boiling water, heat in a water bath under the lid closed for 15 minutes, cool for 45 minutes, strain, squeeze out the rest of the raw materials. Take 1 tbsp. spoon 4-5 times a day with honey in the form of heat;
- infusion: 1 tbsp. spoon raw materials pour 1 cup boiling water, tightly close the lid, wrap and insist 4 - 6 hours, strain. You can brew in a thermos for the night. Take 2 tbsp. l 3 - 4 times a day.
Broths and infusions also have a calming effect. As a light sleeping pill drink 1/4 ÷ 1/3 cup of infusion or decoction for the night.
As an expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent
use flowers and the whole plant:
- 2 tbsp. spoon flowers brew 2 tbsp. boiling water (whole plants need to take 2 times more), insist in a thermos for 2 hours and take 0.5 cups 4 to 5 times a day. With this infusion, you can wash your nose and gargle in inflammatory processes.
This infusion is drunk with headaches and to relieve fatigue, irritability, with nervous exhaustion, as a mild sedative for kids. Children take the infusion 1/4 cup 3 - 4 times a day.
Leaf tea with spring primrose flowers
With vitamin deficiency, to recover from severe diseases as a general tonic drink leaf tea with flowers:
- 1 tbsp. l leaves with flowers brew 250 ml of boiling water, let it brew. Drink throughout the day.
Useful tea from the leaves with flowers for diseases of the joints - it soothes pain, drives the salt out of the body.
Primrose is also included in fees used for respiratory diseases:
- spring primrose flowers - 1 part
- root devyasila -1
- coltsfoot leaves -1
- licorice root -1
All mix, chop, 1 tbsp. l mix pour a glass of boiling water, insist 30 minutes, well wrapped. Take 1/4 ÷ 1/3 cup 3 - 4 times a day in the form of heat after meals with a strong cough, chronic bronchitis, tracheitis.
- flowers primrose medicinal - 4 parts
- horsetail grass - 3
- plantain leaves - 2
- coltsfoot leaves - 1
One Art. l mix pour a glass of boiling water, insist 1 hour, well wrapped. Take 1/4 ÷ 1/3 cup 3 - 4 times a day after meals. It is recommended for diseases of the respiratory tract to relieve coughing and increase sputum discharge.
On the basis of an extract from rhizomes with the roots of a primrose medicinal, the anti-asthma drug Solutan is made.
FIRSTWORK CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- Gastritis with high acidity.
- Peptic ulcer and duodenal ulcer.
The use of primrose medicinal in cosmetics
For loose skin, wrinkles, acne, freckles used infusion of herbs, roots:
- 2 tbsp. spoons of finely chopped raw materials, pour 1 cup boiling water, wrap, insist 4 - 6 hours, or brew in a thermos for the night. Infusion can not be stored in a thermos more than a day. Cool, strain. Apply in the form of lotions - moisturizes the skin, eliminates the redness of the face.
Well wash this infusion with dry thin, irritated skin, dilated vessels.
With hair loss You can make a decoction of the roots of the spring primrose:
- 1 tbsp. a spoonful of finely chopped rhizomes with roots, fill with 1 cup of water, boil in a water bath for 30 minutes, stirring often, cool for 10 minutes, strain, squeeze out the remaining mass, bring boiled water to the original volume. Rub the broth daily in the lesions. Broth rhizomes with roots used as means of stimulating hair growth.
Fresh primrose leaves contain many vitamins, especially ascorbic acid. From the first spring leaves you can cook delicious vitamin salads, which helps to strengthen and heal the body, to compensate for the lack of vitamins.
In the Far East and the Caucasus, the young leaves of the spring primrose are put in soup and soup.
And in France, Poland and Sweden, tinctures are made from the flowers, adding sugar and honey, and used in the summer as a soft drink.
Primrose roots are used as a spice with anise flavor.
Spring primrose used to be common everywhere, now in many territories due to human economic activity it becomes an endangered species and is listed in the Red Book. Therefore, it is not necessary to collect all the plants in one place, it is necessary to leave a part of the plants for reproduction and renewal.
Spring primrose is a perennial plant, it is well propagated by division of rhizomes, as well as seeds ripening at the end of August, therefore it is better to grow it for gardening purposes in the garden, in the garden, it is a relatively unpretentious, but very healing plant.
Dear readers! I hope this small article. Primrose beneficial properties and contraindications Was interesting and useful for you, share with friends.
Take care of the world of nature and be healthy!
After a long and cold winters we all look forward to the appearance of the first heralds of spring - delicate and fragrant snowdrops. And not everyone knows that these are not the only envoys of the long-awaited spring, which notify us that the reign of winter has come to an end. At the same time, the ground is covered with a luxurious carpet of primroses - medicinal plants, which are also very beautiful.
In ancient Greece primrose was considered the flower of Olympus, it was called the "flower of the twelve gods." The Greeks believed that he emerged from the body that died from the love of a young man of Paralysos. Grieving over him, the gods turned him into a beautiful spring flower.
Ancient healers used the plant in the treatment of various paralysis. In many countries, primrose is the flower of marriage. It is believed that the girl, the first to find this year, will definitely meet her betrothed and marry. Especially tremulously treated primrose in England, where he was revered as a magical flower and faithfully believed that it hid the old gnomes and tiny fairies from the weather.
Types of primroses
Today there are more than five hundred species of primroses (primroses), which differ in flowering time and color of flowers. In our country, the most common plants with medicinal properties:
- large cup;
- spring primrose (medicinal);
- tall;
- mealy.
In this article we will introduce you to the medicinal primrose.
Plant description
Primrose preparations: infusion of roots and rhizomes
Put 10 grams of dry raw material in a bowl (preferably enameled), pour 250 ml of boiled hot water over the grass, close the container with a lid and place it in the water bath for half an hour.
After that, the composition should be cooled in natural conditions and filtered. The remaining raw materials should not be thrown away: it can be used one more time. The volume of the composition bring to 200 ml of cooled boiled water. The tool is used two spoons (tablespoons) three times a day about half an hour before meals for chronic diseases of the bronchi and lungs. 
Decoction of roots
20 grams of raw materials pour 500 ml of water and boil over low heat for fifteen minutes. Then the mixture should infuse. This will take no more than forty minutes. Strain the resulting product and take 100 ml before each meal. Decoction is recommended for diseases of the bronchi and lungs, kidneys and severe forms of rheumatism.
Herb decoction
20 grams of dry shredded leaves boil in 250 ml of water for half an hour on low heat. After this, strain the resulting composition and bring the volume to the original with boiled water.
Take this tool in one spoon (dining room) at least four times a day for whooping cough, acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia.
Infusion of primrose flowers
25 grams of dry raw materials, pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew for half an hour. Raw squeeze, take 100 ml four times a day. Infusion normalizes metabolism, improves gastric secretion.
Primrose juice
From the flowering grass (aerial parts) squeeze juice. Take it for a third cup, adding a spoon (tea) honey three times a day before meals.
Primrose Syrup
Primrose syrup is an excellent expectorant that is effective for acute respiratory infections, tracheitis, bronchitis, accompanied by dry cough. Syrup has a brown color and a delicate peculiar smell. It can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Tonic Drink
250 grams of fresh flowers primrose rinse well and fill with liter cold water, leave to infuse before fermentation. After that, add a choice: sugar, honey or jam to taste. Store the drink in a cool dark place. Accepted 150 ml four times a day before meals. 
Tea
Chop dry leaves or roots and mix with in equal parts. Grind herbal mixture and brew like tea. You can improve the taste with honey or jam.
Collection and storage of raw materials
For medicinal purposes, use both the roots and the aboveground part of the plant: the stems, leaves and flowers. The above-ground part of the primrose is harvested when the plant begins to bloom. Raw materials are dried after collection in the open sun or in dryers. The maximum temperature is +50 ° C. This results from the fact that at slow drying the content of vitamin C in a plant considerably decreases. 
The leaves are carefully torn off with their hands, and half of them should be left on the stem. This will allow the plant to continue to grow and develop normally. We must not forget that the primrose is listed in the Red Book, therefore its mass collection is prohibited.
Dried leaves have a grayish-green color, honey smell and sweetish taste, which is quickly replaced by a burning-bitter taste.
The flowers are harvested without cups from April to May. Dry them in the open air under a canopy, or in a well-ventilated shaded place. Drug primrose, more precisely, its flowers, dried properly, are blooming yellow corollas with a delicate smell and a sweetish taste.
The roots of the plant should be dug in the fall, immediately after the above-ground part of the plant withers. You can do this in early spring, but before the start of flowering primroses. The roots are carefully shaken off the ground, then washed in running cold water, dried slightly in air, and then completely dried in a dryer at a temperature not higher than + 60 ° C. Properly dried rhizomes have a reddish-brown color. Inside the roots are whitish in color with a bitter astringent taste and delicate smells.
Dried raw materials are stored either in paper multilayer bags or in canvas bags in a ventilated room.
Contraindications, side effects
Quite rarely, but there are people with an allergic reaction to the primrose drug. The use of any drugs or even touching the grass can cause itching and a strong burning sensation on the skin. The affected areas become covered with bubbles that fill with fluid. Later, on the places where the bubbles have healed, the skin begins to peel off, and when combing, ulcers may form. Pollen entering the upper respiratory tract or in the mouth can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes.
If allergic reactions occur, the medication should be stopped immediately. Drug primrose is not recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as for children up to three years.
Primula veris (Primula officinalis)
Taxon: Primrose family ( Primulaceae)
Other names: primrose officinalis, primrose officinalis, heavenly keys, golden keys, flowers of Saint Peter, rams, lambs, white initial letter, God's handles
English: Herb Peter, Key Flower, Key of Heaven, Fairy Cups, Paigles
Botanical description
Perennial herbaceous plant with a height of 15-20 cm, appears in early spring, as soon as the snow melts. Rhizome oblique, unbranched, short, seated whitish cord-shaped roots. Leaves are basal, ovoid. One (or several) flower arrow carries an inflorescence - a simple one-sided umbrella. Spring primrose flowers are large, bright yellow with an orange spot at the base of the corolla lobes. The fruit is a multi-seed ovoid brown box. Seeds are spherical, 1-1.5 mm long. Blossoms in April and May. Ripens in June and July. It cracks only in favorable weather, in bad weather the boxes close.
Places of growth
It grows in large numbers in deciduous and mixed forests of the middle and forest-steppe zones of the European part of Russia.
Collecting and harvesting
For therapeutic purposes, harvested grass, leaves, flowers, roots, rhizomes of primrose drug. The above-ground part of the plant is collected during flowering, dried directly in the sun or in a dryer, oven, oven at a temperature of 40-50 ° C. With slow drying, the amount of vitamin C is significantly reduced.
Dried leaves are greyish-green, honey-like, taste is sweetish at first, then bitter-hot.
Flowers harvested without cups in April-May, dried in the air. Dried flowers are blooming yellow corollas of faint odor, sweetish taste.
Rhizomes with roots are dug in the fall, after the wilting of the aerial part of the plant, or in early spring before flowering. They are shaken off the ground, the stems are cut off, washed in cold water, lightly dried in the air and dried in dryers, ovens, and ovens at a temperature of 50-60 ° C.
Dried rhizomes are reddish-brown, in scales. Roots whitish, 3-10 cm long, bitter, astringent taste, low odor.
Store raw materials of spring primrose in multi-layered paper or canvas bags, on shelves in well ventilated rooms. Primrose leaves to mid-June contain up to 6% ascorbic acid; Quickly dried leaves preserve vitamin C almost completely.
The shelf life of leaves and flowers is 1 year, rhizomes and roots - 3 years.
The chemical composition of primrose spring
In the roots of the spring primrose, saponins were found in the amount of 5-10%, essential oil -0.08% and glycosides: primlavinia (primulaverozid), priverin (primvorezid), related to triterpene compounds. Saponins have been found in the leaves, saponins and flavonoids in the flowers. All plant organs contain ascorbic acid. In terms of dry matter, the leaves contain 5.9%, and the flowers of 4.7% ascorbic acid (vitamin C), a small amount of carotene is found in the leaves and roots.
The healing properties of the spring primrose
Primrose preparations have a diaphoretic, fortifying, vitamin, expectorant effect, improve the function of the adrenal glands, the secretion of gastric juice.
The use of spring primrose in medicine
Infusion and tinctures of primrose when administered to increase the secretion of bronchial glands, low toxicity. Applied with diseases of the respiratory system, with, dizziness, insomnia, general weakness, diseases of the kidneys and bladder, pneumonia, poor appetite, with rheumatism, hypovitaminosis, scurvy.
Drugs primrose spring
Infusion is prepared from the dry leaves of primrose during the flowering period of the plant: 1 tsp. crushed plants poured a glass of boiling water, insist half an hour and drink half a cup 2 times a day. The infusion is prepared in an enamel pot. On the second shadow, the content of vitamin C in the infusion decreases.
Infusion of primrose roots: brew 200 ml of boiling water 5 g of the roots, insist 2 hours, strain. Drink 1 tbsp. l 3-4 times a day for constipation, insomnia, general weakness, poor appetite, cough, dizziness, kidney and bladder diseases as a remedy.
Infusion of primrose leaves: brew 20 ml of boiling water 5-10 g of leaf powder, leave for 1 hour, strain. Take 1 tbsp. l 3-4 times a day with poor appetite, general weakness, cough, hypovitaminosis, scurvy, pneumonia.
Infusion of primrose flowers: brew 200 ml of boiling water 25 g of primrose flowers, leave for 30 minutes, strain. Drink 100-200 ml 1-3 times a day for dizziness, chronic constipation.
Primrose grass decoction: boil 20 g of crushed grass in 200 ml of water for 20 minutes, drain. Take 1 tbsp. l 3-4 times a day for bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough as an expectorant.
A decoction of primrose roots: boil 20 g of primrose roots in 400 ml of water for 15 minutes, leave for 30 minutes, drain. Drink 100 ml 3-4 times a day for respiratory diseases, rheumatism, gout, kidney and bladder diseases.
A drink of primrose flowers: rinse 250 g of primrose flowers, pour 1 l of cold water, insist at room temperature before fermentation, add honey or sugar (to taste). Store in a cool dark place.
Tea with primrose. Dried leaves or roots of primrose and herb St. John's wort mixed in equal quantities, chop. Brew like tea. Drink with sugar, honey, jam, xylitol, candy.
Primrose leaves in an earlier period, at the beginning of flowering, are used to make salads. Two primrose leaves are enough to satisfy the body's daily need for vitamin C. The presence of vitamin A in the primrose leaves makes it possible to use them in case of insufficiency of this vitamin.
Use in the household
Dried roots and rhizomes of primrose are crushed into powder and used for filling soups, borscht, meat, fish, vegetable dishes, snacks, drinks. Store in paper bags, glass jars in a dry place.
For economic purposes, an olive color dye for fabrics is obtained from grass and flowers of primrose.
Photos and illustrations
Spring primrose is a perennial herb 15–30 cm tall with a rosette of basal leaves and a short oblique or vertically positioned rhizome from which whitish cordlike roots extend. The leaves are ovate or ovate-oblong, wrinkled, narrowed into the pterygoid petiole, dull at the apex, slightly warped at the edges, with veins pressed from above and protruding from below, shortly pubescent, increasing after flowering. The flowers are bright yellow, with a honey smell, collected at the top of a long floral arrow, 5-13 each in an umbellate inflorescence, drooping in one direction; calyx bell-bloated, with sharply protruding 5 ribs, covering the corolla tube almost to the limb, swelling after flowering; corolla tubular, with a slight bend and a long tube, with an orange spot at the base of the petals, with 5 concave blades. The fruit is a brown egg-shaped multi-seeded box enclosed in an expanded cup.
It blooms in May - early June.
It grows in forests, on dry edges, along hillsides, in thickets, along river banks, in oak forests, on dry meadows.
Distributed in the south of the forest and in the forest-steppe zones of the European part.
Preparations are possible in small quantities.
Primrose use in medicine
Primrose leaves are used in medicine - Folium Primulae and rhizomes with roots called Radix Primulae.
The leaves are collected during the flowering period of the plant and quickly dried in the shade. The raw material consists of the leaves of the described structure. They are whole or partially broken. The color is grayish green; the smell is weak, peculiar, slightly honey; the taste is sweet first, then bitter, slightly hot. In the finished raw material moisture is allowed no more than 13%; ash content not more than 12; ascorbic acid at least 2; yellowed and brownish leaves on both sides no more than 2; crushed leaves passing through a sieve with holes 1 mm in diameter, not more than 3; floral arrows no more than 8; organic and mineral impurities not more than 0.5%.
The leaves contain up to 5.9% ascorbic acid (vitamin C), carotene, saponins. Used in medicine as a vitamin raw material, valuable because it can be prepared in early spring, in the form of infusions, when there are no other sources of vitamin C and the need for it is great. It is recommended for hypovitaminosis, anemia, with general weakness.
Rhizomes with roots harvested in the fall. They are dug, washed, cleaned from the remnants of leaves and stems, lightly dried in the air and dried in the open air or in ventilated areas. The raw material consists of short and small rhizomes of brown color; in the fracture they are light, with numerous thin, adventitious roots extending from them of light brown color, about 5 cm long, 0.1 cm thick.
Rhizomes contain up to 10% saponins, primlavin glycosides and priverin. Used as a diaphoretic, antipyretic and expectorant, especially for bronchitis, in the form of infusions or the drug Primulin (dry extract from the roots). Primrose preparations are of low toxicity and surpass Senega in their activity.
Rp .: Infusi radicis Primulae ex 4.0-200.0
D.S .: 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day
Primrose use in traditional medicine
KOKUKHKIN'S SPOTS
As soon as the cuckoo eats, the primrose, which is popularly called the cuckoo tears, blooms. Gather his flowers with cups. This medicinal plant contains saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, essential oils, vitamins. It contributes to the separation of sputum and the normalization of blood pressure, treats a tired heart and is included in chest teas for colds.
Primula is a favorite plant of many nations of the world.
Primula spring, rich in triterpene saponins, glycosides, flavanoids, ascorbic acid, manganese, carotene, trace elements of the hematopoietic complex, has been used since antiquity in:
emphysema
incessant coughing
chronic and acute bronchitis
kidney and urinary diseases
bladder (very effective with red root and golden thorn)
general breakdown (with a red brush or an orchid)
bronchial asthma (with lungwort and Sophora)
chronic constipation
lack of vitamins in the body
anemia
neuralgia
neurosis
migraine
edema
lack of appetite
loosening gums
increased nervous excitability (excellent results with shiksha)
dizziness
AT traditional medicine decoction of flowers primrose drink with heart disease, cough and chest pain. In folk medicine, use grass, leaves, flowers, roots. Due to the rich chemical composition, primrose spring is used in various diseases. Its infusion (1 table spoon for 1 cup of boiling water, to insist 30-40 minutes, strain) is used as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, soothing, diuretic. Young leaves are added to salads with avitaminosis, as well as to compensate for the lack of vitamins C and A (enough to eat up to 2 leaves per day).
The plant is mixed 1: 1 with honey and consumed when infused for 7 days with inflammation of the heart muscle, rheumatic carditis, and cardiac neurosis. And we are the flowers that are successfully used in home cosmetics. They rub oily skin with clogged pores and rinse oily hair. To prepare the drug, it is necessary to fill the container with dry flowers to the top, pour boiling water all over and insist on the night.
Useful recipes using primrose
2st.l. crushed raw materials pour 2 cups boiling water, insist 20 minutes, strain. Cooked therapeutic fluid is
daily dose, which should be sip.
To improve vision
2 tbsp. Primrose pour into a thermos, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, insist 1.5 hours. Drink 1/2 of the glass 3 times a day, and bury his eyes, 2 drops at night. To improve the result, try adding 1 tbsp to the primrose. eyebright. The course of treatment is 2 months. Break - 2 weeks. As a rule, it is necessary to repeat the procedure 3-4 times.
To increase potency
In 0.5-0.7 liters of wine, add 2 tablespoons. dry primrose, insist month, drain. To make homemade cognac, you will need 25 g of red root and 1 tbsp. primrose and 0.5 liters of vodka, insist 2 weeks.
For skin rejuvenation
First recipe
Face lotion is prepared from plants and vodka in a ratio of 1: 5.
Second recipe
I still have one old recipe for rejuvenation and regeneration of the skin, which has amazing power: removes wrinkles, wrinkles, age spots, acne, redness, irritation. For its preparation you will need 5 tbsp. crushed primrose, 2 tbsp. elecampane, 2 tbsp. comfrey roots and 0.5 liters of vodka. Herbal mixture pour vodka, insist for a month. In the morning and in the evening to wipe cleansed skin.
Third recipe
5 tbsp. crushed primrose, 2 tbsp. elecampane, 2 tbsp. comfrey roots put in a saucepan and pour 0.7 l of “Aligote” wine (white, dry; you can also use another brand), simmer for 15-20 minutes. Cool, strain and pour into bottle. Store on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. In the morning and in the evening gently wipe the skin with a product. “... Our city-dwellers are quite well aware that an ointment or water distilled from a primrose helps to preserve beauty ...” - Nicholas Culpeper said in his day back in 1653.
(Primula officinalis Jaeq.)
Russian names: primrose officinalis, spring, rams, primrose.
Belarusian: Pershatsvet lekavy, baranchyk, alphabets, springvіk
Ukrainian: Pervotstsvgg Lіkarsky, spring, rams.
Primrose officinalis - a perennial herbaceous plant of the primrose family (Primulaceae), up to 30 cm high, with a vertical or obliquely growing brown rhizome and a tuft of thin roots. Stem rounded, upright. Leaves collected in the rosette, ovate, oval or oblong, wrinkled. Flowers in the inflorescence of an umbrella, one-sidedly drooping, golden yellow, with orange spots on the throat. The flowers have a honey smell. Fruit - ovate brown, multi-seed box. It blooms from April to June, the fruits ripen in July. Primrose medicinal is propagated by seeds, division of the bushes and cuttings. Currently, the plant is becoming rare. Included in the list of species in need of preventive protection and rational use. Primrose is growing on dry meadows, in thickets, along river banks, in mixed and deciduous forests.
In ancient Greece, primrose was considered the medicinal flower of Olympus, it was called the flower of the twelve gods - "dodecateon" and believed that it originated from the body of a young man who died of love, Paralisos. Out of pity for him, the gods turned him into a flower. Ancient doctors treated them with various kinds of paralysis. It is not by chance that primrose is known as "paralysis grass".
In some countries, primrose is considered the flower of marriage. According to legend, the girl who first finds a primrose flower on Easter will certainly marry this year.
Especially great love primrose used in England, where a lot of tales about him.
They called it a magical flower and believed that tiny fairies and old gnomes were sheltering in it from the weather. As soon as the bright month closes with dark clouds and the first drops of rain fall to the ground, the little men look out for their favorite flower, and after finding it, they climb inside the golden corolla and settle down comfortably in it. Soon their pleasant singing is heard, only rarely among mortals can it be heard.
Collection and drying of raw materials. Collect the leaves at the beginning of flowering plants, tearing their hands. At the same time, half the leaves on each plant are left in order not to damage the flowering and fruiting. They should be dried quickly in well-ventilated areas, but preferably in ovens or dryers at a temperature of 90-120 ° C. With quick drying, more vitamins are stored. Shelf leaves 1 year.
Rhizomes with roots are harvested in the fall at the beginning of the plant wilting, or in early spring before the leaves grow back. Dug out roots cleaned from the ground, cut with a knife aboveground parts, quickly washed cold water and get out in the open air. Then they are dried in rooms with good ventilation or in dryers at a temperature of 50-60 ° C. Raw has a pleasant smell, similar to violet, and bitter taste. Shelf life of raw materials for 3 years.
However, at the present time, since there are other saponin-bearing plants with expectorant effects, the collection of rhizomes with roots and their use have ceased.
The flowers are harvested without cups in April - May, dried in the air. Dried flowers are blooming yellow corollas with a faint odor, sweet taste. The shelf life of flowers is 1 year. Flowers are subject to export.
Chemical composition. The leaves of the plant contain up to 5.9% ascorbic acid, carotene, saponins (about 2%), flavonoids. Saponins (up to 10%), essential oil, glycosides: primuloverin, priverin, alcohols, manganese, carotene, ascorbic acid were found in the rhizome; in flowers - saponins and flavonoids.
Pharmacological properties. Primrose herbal preparations have an expectorant effect and somewhat increase the secretory activity of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and bronchi. Expectorant properties of drugs due to the content in the roots of primrose triterpene glycosides. In addition, primrose increases the activity of ciliary epithelium and accelerates the evacuation of secretions from the respiratory tract.
Medical applications. Rhizome. Infusion - as an expectorant with catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, chronic tracheitis and bronchitis, with bronchopneumonia. It is widely used in combination with chamomile, calendula officinalis, dagil medicinal and anise ordinary. In folk medicine, decoction, tincture and syrup - as an expectorant in the treatment of tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia; sedative, antispasmodic, diuretic, laxative, painkiller (with convulsions and paralysis); Infusion - with constipation, insomnia, general weakness, poor appetite, cough, dizziness, kidney and bladder diseases (as a diuretic). Broth in the form of lotions and compresses - with bruises. In the South Caucasus powder - with impotence.
Elevated part. Included in the ointment for the treatment of eczema of the head. Decoction in folk medicine - with bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough (as an expectorant). Juice - to reduce bleeding gums with scurvy, improve vision with C-and A-hypo-and avitaminosis, normalize digestion; flu, sore throat, bronchitis, hay fever; as a diaphoretic, febrifuge and laxative. Essence of fresh flowering plants used in homeopathy.
Leaves. Infusion - with hypo-and avitaminosis, poor appetite, weakness, coughing, scurvy, pneumonia, bronchitis, gout, rheumatism.
Flowers Broth, infusion - sudorific and expectorant for bronchitis; tonic in hysteria, paralysis, dizziness, migraine, insomnia, inflammation of the urinary tract, articular and other forms of rheumatism.
Juice - for colds, dizziness, insomnia, paralysis, heart disease, rheumatism, kidney disease, migraine, malaria, emphysema, whooping cough.
Dosage Forms, Dosage and Administration. Infusion of primrose roots and rhizomes (Infusum radicis et rhizoma Primulae); 10 g (1 tablespoon) of raw materials are placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml of hot boiled waterCover with a lid and heat in boiling water (on a water bath) for 30 minutes, cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, filter. The remaining raw material is squeezed and added to the infusion. The volume of the resulting infusion is brought to 200 ml with boiled water. Apply 1-2 tablespoons 3-4 times daily before meals for chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system.
* Primrose decoction of roots and rhizomes: 20 g of raw materials are boiled in 400 ml of water for 15 minutes, infused for 30 minutes, then filtered. Take 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day.
* Primrose leaf infusion: 5-10 g of leaf powder is infused into 200 ml of boiling water for 1 hour, then filtered. Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.
* Primrose grass decoction: 20 g of crushed raw materials are boiled in 200 ml of water for 20 minutes, then filtered. Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.
* Infusion of primrose flowers: 25 g of raw material is poured 200 ml of boiling water, infused for 30 minutes, then filtered. Accept on 1/2 - 1 glass 1-3 times a day.
* Primrose juice: squeeze out from the blossoming above-ground part of the plant (leaves, stem, flowers). Take grass juice 1 / 4-1 / 3 cup with a spoon of honey 3 times a day before meals, juice of flowers - 1 teaspoon with an equal amount of honey 3 times a day, drinking warm water or milk.
Contraindications and possible side effects: There are people who are sensitive to this plant. After a few hours or days, they develop severe itching and burning on the areas of skin that come into contact with the primrose. The affected areas turn red and become covered with bubbles filled with liquid. In the future, on the ground healed bubbles marked scaling, while scratching formed ulcers. Ingestion of plant pollen in the mouth or upper respiratory tract can lead to inflammation of the mucous membranes.
Application in other areas. Leaves are used as food. Olive-colored dye for fabrics is obtained from grass and primrose flowers. Medonos. Decorative, used for group plantings, in borders, ridges, rock gardens.
Elements of agricultural cultivation. Primrose prefers semi-shady places and loose or cohesive, fairly moist soil with the addition of organic fertilizer and sod land. On light soils, at least 20 kg of organic fertilizers per 1 m2 are applied at a ratio of 10 kg of compost soil, 5 kg of humus and 5 kg of peat dust or leaf soil. On heavy soils, it is necessary to apply sand at the rate of 1-2 buckets and at least 25 kg of organic fertilizers per 1 m.
When sowing, primrose seeds are sown in the fall in the year of harvest, as they quickly lose their germination. Sowing can be carried out in the spring and stratified seeds. When 1-2 true leaves appear, the seedlings swoop at a distance of 10-12 cm. For 2 years they are kept on a garden bed, covering 10 cm of leaves for the winter. Place them in a permanent place in spring or autumn of the second year. Plants bloom in the 2-3rd year of life. Shrubs are divided into small parts, every 3-5 years, better in early spring or in August - early September, you can immediately after flowering. If necessary, can be transplanted during flowering. In this case, the bushes are dug up with a wet clod of earth. After planting for 10-15 days, the plants are watered abundantly daily.
