Useful properties, contraindications and use of spring primrose. Primrose: description, types, composition, properties, application, recipes

In this article we talk about spring primrose. You will learn about medicinal properties plants and effective recipes which will help to cope with many diseases and strengthen the immune system.

Spring primrose (Primula veris) - perennial herbaceous plant, belongs to the Primrose family. Other names: primrose officinalis, lambswort, golden keys, jaundice, copperhead. The grass got its name from its bright yellow flowers.

What does it look like

According to botanical description, the primrose rhizome is short, long cord-shaped roots grow from it. In the photo, the spring primrose looks like a low-growing plant, has wide leaves up to 8 cm in length. Appearance(photo) spring primrose During the flowering period, it produces an arrow without leaves, on which bright yellow flowers with a pleasant and sweet aroma grow. Their number can be from 3 to 5. Flowering occurs in late spring and early summer. The fruits ripen in July and look like multi-seeded capsules.

Where does it grow?

Primrose grass prefers shady areas and moist soil, so it can be found in forest-steppe zones, deciduous and coniferous forests. Widely distributed in Europe and some regions of Russia. Grows in shady meadows, among bushes and deep ravines.

Leaves, rhizome and roots

All parts of the plant have medicinal properties equally, but the rhizome, roots and leaves are most often used..

Chemical composition

Due to its rich chemical composition, primrose is widely used in folk recipes, as well as in pharmacology.

The grass contains the following useful elements:

  • essential oils;
  • flavonoids;
  • saponins;
  • carotene;
  • ascorbic acid;
  • glycosides;
  • vitamin E;
  • manganese.

Medicinal properties

The flowers, leaves and roots of primrose have beneficial properties. Primrose leaves can replenish the reserves of vitamins and minerals for vitamin deficiency in spring or winter period. Thanks to the presence of vitamins A and C, vision improves and digestive processes are normalized. Medicines from the rhizome of the plant have a resolving effect on hematomas, bruises, and contusions. Reduce discomfort and pain in rheumatism.

The diuretic properties of primrose are used to treat inflammation of the bladder and kidneys. The plant has a slight laxative effect, so it is used for constipation. Due to its expectorant properties, medicines with primrose are prescribed for various types cough and in more complex cases such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Primrose is used as a tonic for general weakness and insomnia. Rinsing the mouth with a decoction of primrose reduces bleeding and inflammation of the gums. It has a cleansing effect on blood vessels, improves blood circulation and the condition of the cardiovascular system.

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of the plant are used not only in folk recipes. In the complex treatment of the upper respiratory tract, Gerbion syrup is used, which includes primrose.

How to collect

Leaves and inflorescences are collected directly at the stage active growth- at the end of spring. Dry in the shade on paper or fabric, so they retain the maximum amount of useful elements. When using a dryer, 40 degrees will be enough to achieve the desired effect. Dried leaves are stored in fabric bags in a dark and dry place.

Roots and rhizomes are dug up in early autumn. They are cleaned of soil and washed with cool water. After drying, dry in a ventilated area or in a special dryer at 45 degrees. You need to lay out the roots on paper or natural fabric. The dried root is stored in cardboard boxes for 2 years.

The inflorescences are collected in May and dried in ventilated rooms. Dried flowers are placed in glass containers and tightly closed with a lid. Store in a dark place for 2 years.

How to use

Primrose officinalis is valued for its beneficial properties. It is often prescribed during colds and viral diseases upper respiratory tract.

Cough decoction

Primrose decoction for coughs is used to reduce pain and discomfort in the throat and eliminate pathogens.

Ingredients:

  1. Primrose leaves - 15 g.
  2. Water - 200 ml.

How to cook: Grind dry leaves and fill them with water. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 15 minutes.

How to use: Drink 100 ml of medicine after meals three times a day.

Result: Improved expectoration of mucus when coughing, improved well-being.

Infusion for appetite

The drug based on a medicinal plant has a beneficial effect on the microflora of the stomach and its functioning. Increases the tone of the whole body and normalizes appetite.

Ingredients:

  1. Primrose leaves - 100 g.
  2. Water - 200 ml.

How to cook: Grind dry leaves into powder and pour boiling water over them. Infuse the medicine for 1 hour, strain.

How to use: Drink 1 tbsp. before every meal.

Result: Improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, increasing appetite and strengthening the body's protective functions.

Infusion for vision

Thanks to carotene and vitamin A, which are part of the primrose, the infusion increases visual acuity. You can not only drink it, but also drop it into your eyes.

Ingredients:

  1. Dry primrose leaves - 2 tbsp.
  2. Water - 500 ml.

How to cook: To make the infusion, take a small thermos. Pour the crushed leaves into it and pour boiling water over them. Close the lid tightly and leave for 2-3 hours. Strain the finished infusion.

How to use: Take the finished medicine 1 glass three times a day after meals. Place 2 drops of the infusion into your eyes before going to bed.

Result: Improving vision in a short time, filling the body with vitamins and nutrients.

Tincture for potency

A tincture of primrose rhizome will help improve sexual function in men and improve health.

Ingredients:

  1. Dry primrose root - 2 tbsp.
  2. Wine - 500 ml.

How to cook: Grind the primrose root and add wine. Infuse the mixture for 2 months. After time has passed, strain the tincture.

How to use: Take 20 drops three times daily.

Result: Elimination of inflammatory processes, improvement of sexual function in men.

Before using the medicine, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Drink for immunity

The rich composition of primrose combats vitamin deficiency spring period, and also helps improve health after illnesses. Is prophylactic and restores the body's protective functions.

Ingredients:

  1. Primrose inflorescences - 250 g.
  2. Water - 1 l.
  3. Honey or sugar - to taste.

How to cook: Pour dried primrose flowers cold water. Infuse the drink before fermentation begins, add honey or sugar to taste. Store in a dark place.

How to use: Drink half a glass of the drink after meals three times a day.

Result: Supports immunity to resist various diseases.

Forms of application

Decoctions, infusions, tinctures, syrup and oil are made from primrose. Due to the fact that each part of the plant has medicinal properties, the number of options for preparing medicines is very large. Each prescription is effective, but must be taken according to the instructions.

Decoction

Decoctions are effective in treating inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia).

Ingredients:

  1. Dried primrose root - 20 g.
  2. Water - 200 ml.

How to cook: Grind the primrose root and add cold water. Bring to a boil over low heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Leave to cool and then strain.

How to use: Take 1 tbsp. three times a day.

Result: Well helps to cope with the manifestations of bronchitis, pneumonia, promotes the removal of sputum.

Infusion

An infusion made from the leaves of a medicinal plant improves metabolism and digestion.

Ingredients:

  1. Primrose leaves - 25 g.
  2. Water - 200 ml.

How to cook: Pour boiling water over dry leaves and leave for half an hour. Strain the cooled infusion.

How to use: Drink 1 glass of the resulting drug half an hour before meals.

Result: Discomfort and pain in the stomach go away, metabolism improves.

Tincture

Medicinal tincture of primrose relieves stress, fights insomnia and weakness. For rheumatic pain, rubbing is used. You can replace primrose roots with leaves.

Ingredients:

  1. Primrose root - 2 tbsp.
  2. Alcohol 70% - 200 ml.

How to cook: Pour the required amount of crushed primrose with alcohol. Infuse the mixture for 2 weeks in a dark place, stirring occasionally. After the time has passed, pour the alcohol into a separate container and strain several times. Squeeze out the cake.

How to use: Rub the tincture on joints and bruises. At internal use— Dilute 15 drops of tincture in 50 ml of water and drink twice a day.

Result: Elimination of pain in joints and muscles due to various injuries. Calming effect on the nervous system.

Oil

Traditional medicine uses primrose oil to improve immunity, cleanse blood vessels and improve heart function.

Ingredients:

  1. Primrose flowers - 100 g.
  2. Vegetable oil - 100 g.

How to cook: To the bottom is small glass jar arrange the primrose flowers. Fill them up vegetable oil and place the container in a bright place, preferably in direct sunlight, for 2 weeks. Strain the finished product. Pour the resulting oil over the new flowers and leave to infuse for another 2 weeks. Pour the finished oil into a dry, clean jar.

How to use: Take 1 ml of oil in the morning and afternoon on an empty stomach.

Result: Thanks to vegetable fats, the beneficial substances in primrose inflorescences are better absorbed, strengthen and cleanse blood vessels, and improve heart function.

Syrup

Herbion syrup with primrose contains only natural ingredients and effectively fights cough. Affects sputum, dilutes it and helps it exit the respiratory tract, reduces the number of pathogens at the site of the disease. Has a calming effect on irritated mucous membranes.

According to the instructions for use of primrose, the dosage is 15 ml for adult patients and 10 ml for children over 14 years old, for children from 5-14 years old - 5 ml. For children under 5 years of age, syrup is prescribed in a dose of up to 2.5 ml. The medicine is diluted in warm water. Treatment lasts 1 week.

The syrup is used as an independent drug or in combination with additional medications for the treatment of bronchitis, pneumonia, and tracheitis. It is acceptable to use “Gerbion” for colds and coughs that are caused by external irritants (for example, smoking).

Contraindications

Spring primrose is contraindicated in several cases:

  • Allergy to plant components.
  • Pregnancy. The use of medications affects the tone of the uterine muscles, which can cause miscarriage.
  • Stomach ulcer.

By observing the dosage of the drug and strictly following the instructions, primrose will only bring health benefits. Neglecting contraindications can cause harm and aggravate the disease.

Classification

Spring primrose - perennial medicinal plant, belongs to the Primrose family. There are more than 500 species.

Taxonomic position:

  • Department - Flowers.
  • Class - Magnoliopsids (dicots).
  • Order: Ericaceae.
  • Family - Primroses.
  • Genus - Primrose.
  • Type - Spring primrose.

Varieties

Science knows a large number of primroses, but only a few of them have medicinal properties:

  • Large-cupped primrose.
  • Tall primrose.
  • Primrose mealy.

Primrose spring infographics

Photo of spring primrose, its beneficial properties and uses:
Infographics on spring primrose

What to remember

  1. Due to its composition, the herb is often used in traditional medicine and pharmacology recipes.
  2. It has a wide range of medicinal properties, helps fight inflammation, colds, coughs, nervous stress, headaches and joint pain.
  3. The vitamin composition of primrose improves the body's protective functions and replenishes the lack of nutrients.

Along with the thawing of snow and the arrival of early spring, light yellow flowers, called primroses, begin to appear. The name of the plant is quite logical, because it appears much earlier than the others. From time immemorial people have used medicinal purposes plants given by nature. And primrose (or primrose) is one of the most effective and healing, with which you can cure a large number of different ailments.

Spring primrose is a herbaceous perennial plant reaching a height of twenty centimeters or more. It has short, almost horizontal rhizomes, up to eight centimeters in length, planted whitish cord-like roots, oval, ovate or ovate-oblong leaves. The edges of the leaf blade are either wavy or crenate. Leafless peduncles (flower arrows) emerge from the middle of the rosette. The flowers of the plant are yellow, small and have a sweet honey aroma. The plant blooms in early spring. Primrose fruits are multi-seeded egg-shaped capsules.

Mountains, wet subalpine and alpine meadows, forest glades, forest edges, ravines, slopes and hills, roadsides are the places where this plant grows. medicinal plant.

Procurement of medicinal raw materials

The roots and leaves of the plant are most often used for medicinal purposes. The most suitable time for collecting raw materials is the period of intense flowering. After collecting, it is necessary to spread the raw materials in a thin layer so that they dry evenly. It is advisable to dry either outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

As for harvesting roots, you first need to dig them up. It is better to do this in autumn or early spring. Next, the raw materials are cleaned of soil, leaves and flowers. The roots need to be dried just like the leaves. Properly prepared raw materials have a slightly bitter taste and have absolutely no odor. It is recommended to store the blanks in a dry place, in boxes. Storage duration is no more than two years.

Composition and healing properties of spring primrose

In this medicinal herb contains a considerable amount of ascorbic acid, essential oils, triterpene saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, carotenoids, vitamins of groups: A, B, E, organic acids and minerals: manganese, iron.

Such chemical composition gives primrose a whole range of medicinal properties. Preparations and products based on spring primrose have the following properties:

  • expectorants;
  • antipyretic;
  • sweatshops;
  • antispasmodic;
  • sedative;
  • diuretics;
  • choleretic;
  • painkillers;
  • laxatives.

This plant has been used to treat all kinds of ailments since ancient times. Traditional healers It has been and is being used to eliminate constipation, normalize sleep and appetite. Bronchitis, tuberculosis, asthma, whooping cough, convulsions, paralysis, cough, malaise, ailments of the cardiovascular and digestive system, colds - primrose can cope with all this.

All parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes: rhizomes, leaves, flowers.

Spring primrose in folk medicine

Decoction of primrose leaves. Take the dried leaves of the plant, chop finely and add 200 milliliters of water, bring to a boil over low heat. Leave the product to sit. Take 50 ml of the medicine three times a day. This remedy will help cure bronchitis, pneumonia, migraines, kidney diseases.

A decoction of the plant's rhizomes. Pour ten grams of finely chopped primrose rhizome with water and then boil. Filter and take a spoonful of the product four times a day. The decoction helps heal respiratory diseases. Syrups are also made from the roots of the plant, which help in the fight against severe and painful coughs.

Infusion of primrose flowers. This remedy will relieve colds, migraines, insomnia, diseases of the cardiovascular system. Pour a couple of tablespoons of dried plant flowers with 200 milliliters of boiling water. The product should be infused for two hours. Strain, divide the prepared infusion into several doses and drink it throughout the day.

Healing primrose oil. This remedy will help not only strengthen the immune system, but also normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system. To prepare the medicine, take the flowers of the plant, chop them, place them in a jar, and fill the raw material to the top with vegetable oil. Leave the product to infuse for 21 days. After time, filter and squeeze out the oil. Pour the prepared oil into a new portion of flowers and again leave to infuse for three weeks. After straining the product, pour it into a storage container. Take a couple of milliliters of the medicine twice a day: in the morning and at lunch.

Primrose juice - vitamins and more. After you cut the above-ground part of the plant, wash it, chop it finely, and then put it in a jar or saucepan: a layer of grass, a layer of sugar. Place the container in a dark place for a week. When the juice starts to come out, squeeze it out.
Accept it medicine to strengthen the immune system.

Spring primrose to normalize vision. Grind the leaves, flowers and roots of the plant, then brew a couple of tablespoons of the raw material with 400 ml of boiled water. Infuse the product for two hours, preferably in a thermos, filter. Take half a glass of medicine twice a day. Apply the same product to your eyes before going to bed - two drops. To achieve maximum effect, add a spoonful of eyebright to the primrose. The duration of the treatment course is 60 days, followed by a break of fourteen days. There should be at least three such courses.

Primrose is an ideal remedy for enhancing male power. Pour twenty grams of the dried plant with homemade wine. Infuse the product for thirty days. Drink half a glass daily.

Anesthetic decoction. Pour ten grams of crushed plant roots with 200 milliliters of water. Place on the stove and boil. Take five grams of the medicine three times a day. Believe me, painful sensations in your joints will no longer bother you.

Primrose - an effective cosmetic product

1. Making a miracle lotion. Chop the leaves, flowers and roots of the plant and pour vodka over a spoonful of raw materials. Leave in a dark, cool place for two weeks. Wipe the skin with the prepared product.

2. There is another remedy that promotes rejuvenation and regeneration of the skin, eliminating folds, wrinkles, acne, age spots, redness and irritation. Take the spring primrose, elecampane, comfrey rhizomes, chop all ingredients and mix well. Pour half a liter of vodka into the plant mixture and leave for three weeks in a cool, dark place. Shake the tincture from time to time. Use the product to wipe problem areas of the skin daily.

Contraindications!

The plant is practically harmless, but this does not mean that it can be taken without the permission of the attending physician. It is strictly not recommended to use primrose medicines for people with individual intolerance, the presence of peptic ulcers, and pregnant women.

Primrose is one of the first flowers to bloom after the snow melts in sun-warmed areas. These can be forest edges and gardens. It is for these reasons that primrose is commonly called primrose. Many people confuse primrose with snowdrop, as they appear at the same time.

Primrose is a herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 25 centimeters in height. Primrose has elliptical leaves that taper to the petiole. Nature collects yellow flowers in an umbrella. Only in our country many dozens of species of such plants grow. In the European part you can find the spring primrose, which already grows in almost all of Europe.

People tell many legends about the origin of primrose. One of them says that one day the holy Apostle Peter learned about the forgery of the keys to heaven by rejected spirits. In fright, the holy apostle dropped the keys from his hands, and they fell to the ground. Flowers grew under the crash site as a reminder of the event. Translated from German title of this plant This is what “Peter’s Keys” sounds like. Even visually, you can see how the oblong flowers turned down resemble keys.

Preparation and storage of primrose

It is better to harvest primrose during its flowering period, this way you will be able to collect not only the grass, but also the flowers themselves, which have a wonderful aroma.

Use in everyday life

The leaves of this plant can be eaten raw, they make excellent salads, and they are good added to soups and stir-fries. Not only fresh leaves are added to dishes, but also roots, which are first ground into powder.

Composition and medicinal properties of primrose

  1. Primrose contains a large amount of vitamins and carotene, which are good against spring vitamin deficiency. Just a couple of primrose leaves gives a person daily norm vitamins
  2. Primrose is widely used as an expectorant. To do this, it is processed into special decoctions.
  3. This herb helps well against rheumatism, relieving acute pain.
  4. Diseases of the kidneys and bladder can be cured with the help of infusions based on primrose raw materials.
  5. An infusion of flowers helps with sore throats, colds, rhinitis and headaches.
  6. Each part of the primrose goes well with other herbs, so it is included in various herbs that have a general positive effect on the body.
  7. The use of primrose in folk medicine

    Primrose bath infusion

    At the beginning of spring, it’s time to take a steam bath in such a wonderful infusion, which will give the body a lot of fresh strength and energy. Roots, leaves and flowers are taken for it. A powder is made from this raw material, which is brewed in one glass of boiling water and used according to the well-known procedure in the bathhouse.

    Primrose for bronchitis

    Take 15 grams of raw material crushed to powder and fill it with 200 grams of water, after which it is boiled for thirty minutes in a water bath. Next, you need to cool the resulting composition at room temperature, strain and drink one tablespoon four times a day.

    Infusion for colds

    To prepare an infusion of primrose, take eight grams of plant leaves and pour 200 grams of boiling water over them. You need to leave for forty-five minutes, then strain and take 70 grams three times a day. Primrose goes well with anise, chamomile and calendula.

    Primrose against dry cough

    To combat dry cough, use an expectorant three times a day, 100 grams. To prepare it, pour 40 grams of crushed roots into a thermos and fill them with one liter of water, then let the composition brew for 12 hours and filter it.

    Primrose for runny nose

    To combat a runny nose, use primrose spray. To prepare it, pour 20 grams of flowers into a thermos and add one liter of water, leave for 8 hours and filter. Drink one hundred grams of this product three times a day.

    Contraindications for use

    Doctors do not recommend using infusions and decoctions of primrose during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. There is a possibility of allergic reactions, so people with individual intolerance should refrain from using primrose.

The spring primrose is the first flower to bloom after a long winter. The plant is popularly called a true snowdrop due to its beauty and early germination. The first shoots can be seen already at the end of April - beginning of May. The flower is also known as primrose.

Many children and adults know firsthand about this plant. During lessons, biologists are asked to write abstracts and show pictures of this amazing plant. Primrose belongs to perennial plants from the primrose family. The flower grows in China and Central Asia, and some species can be found in Europe and America. Primrose officinalis is found on forest edges, as well as near the shores of lakes and rivers.

The primrose flower looks like a bunch of keys. There is a belief that St. Peter dropped the keys to heaven, and subsequently a amazing plant, similar as two drops of water to a bunch of keys. After this, a new name was attached to the primrose. According to another legend, the primrose is the key with which spring opens the doors to summer.

Some varieties of spring primrose can reach 80 cm. The leaves are wrinkled, the inflorescences are umbrella-shaped. The flower is slightly swollen and has five teeth along the edge. Flowers can be white, yellow, purple or blue. The rhizome is short with cord-like roots. The fruit is in the form of a brown egg-shaped capsule. It blooms in the first or second month of spring. You can see the primrose in more detail in the photo.

Beneficial features

Primrose has been known since ancient times. People believed that it contained power against all ailments. The spring primrose was medicinal flower, it was also called an herb for paralysis. It was believed that the plant could cure tension, distortions and nervous tics. The roots, leaves and flowers of the plant can be used for medicinal purposes. Primrose officinalis has beneficial properties in all parts of the plant. The roots are rich in saponins, glycosides, essential oils and vitamin C. The leaves contain a lot of carotene.

In addition, the spring primrose is like useful flower It is considered a sedative, antispasmodic and diuretic. Infusions of this plant are used for problems with the respiratory system, for the treatment of kidneys and vitamin deficiency.

Use for cosmetic purposes

Spring primrose can be used for skin or hair problems.

If the skin becomes loose or wrinkles appear, you can use a decoction.

You will need 2 tbsp. l. finely chopped leaves and 1 cup boiling water. It is necessary to pour boiling water over the prepared leaves and leave for 6 hours. You can brew the infusion directly in a thermos, then it will remain warm. Before use, the infusion should be strained. Store the finished infusion for no more than 24 hours. Can be used as a lotion on problem areas of the face. Perfect for washing if your skin is dry and flaky.

You will need 1 tbsp. l. finely chopped roots and 1 glass of water. You need to keep the roots in a water bath for 30 minutes, stirring them occasionally. Then you should cool, squeeze and strain the resulting mass. After this, the mass must be brought to its original volume with water. The resulting decoction is rubbed into the affected areas on the head. This decoction stimulates the growth of new hair.

Blank

Please note that the spring primrose is listed as an endangered species. Many varieties of primrose are listed in the Red Book. The collection of primrose is constantly monitored and in case of illegal collection, criminal or administrative liability may be imposed. Therefore, spring primrose is grown in special areas, and then the finished products are sold on the market.

Leaves begin to be collected at the beginning of flowering. Harvesting is done by hand, and at least 50% of the foliage must remain on the flower. This measure is necessary to restore the primrose. Then the leaves are dried in ovens at a temperature of at least 100 degrees. Leaves should be dried in an oven, because with this drying method they are preserved. healing properties.

Prepare medicinal decoctions possible at home.

For general weakness, dizziness, sleep disturbances and to improve tone, you should make a decoction of fresh spring primrose leaves. To do this, you need to take 5-6 leaves and pour boiling water over them. Leave for 20 minutes, then strain and consume 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.

For frequent coughs, problems with the kidneys and biliary tract, you can prepare an infusion from the roots. One teaspoon of crushed roots should be poured with boiling water and left for 5 hours. Then cool, strain through a sieve and take 2 tbsp. l. 5 times a day before meals.

For headaches, you can brew tea from spring primrose buds. Need 2 tsp. pour a glass of boiling water over fresh flowers and leave for 20 minutes. Drink in small sips. This tea helps to cope with insomnia if taken before bed.

Medicinal primrose can cope with the symptoms of a cold. The plant has an antipyretic effect. During various epidemics of ARVI, it is recommended to use decoctions and infusions of spring primrose.

Use in food has been practiced for a long time.

The smell of grated and dried primrose roots is reminiscent of anise aroma. This powder is used as a complement to main courses of meat or fish.

Various salads are prepared from fresh primrose. The leaves taste slightly bitter. The buds and stems have a sweet taste. If you use them together in one salad, you can get a spicy combination.

To prepare delicious salad, you should thoroughly wash all the greens. Selected parts of the plant are cut as desired and added to ingredients such as green onions, eggs, carrots, beets or cheese. It all depends on your desire. You can choose any salad dressing: mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil. As a result, any dish will be quite unusual and tasty.

Contraindications

  • Intolerance to plant components. Primrose is considered an allergenic plant, so you need to focus on the individual characteristics of the body.
  • The period of pregnancy and breastfeeding at any stage, since the plant contains substances that can enhance stimulation, including the pelvic organs. To eliminate the threat of miscarriage, it is better not to take primrose decoctions.
  • Diseases of the stomach and intestines. The presence of ulcers or gastritis may adversely affect treatment with primrose.

The plant contains substances that promote blood clotting. At the same time, you should not take primrose decoctions and anticoagulant medications.