Primrose for coughs and fever
The Common or Wild Primrose, Primula vulgaris (sometimes labeled Primula acaulis), is closely related to the Cowslip, and a lot tougher than it looks – it will cope with almost anything except full shade, even salt spray from the sea. It’s a perennial, and native to Western Europe from Sweden in the North to Africa in the South.
Primrose was once a useful pot herb, used in salads or cooked as a vegetable. Leaves and flowers were used for tea as well as garnish, or sometimes the flowers were crystallized. Most of these uses have become rare, just as the plant has in the wild in many parts. It’s a good garden plant, though, as it flowers in early to late Spring, the first appearing when little else is blooming.
Primrose is not suitable for use as a remedy by pregnant women, anyone with a sensitivity to aspirin, or anybody on anti-coagulants such as Warfarin.
Primrose can be used for most of the same uses as Cowslip. Use a standard infusion from leaves and flowers for pain relief, particularly effective for gout, cramps and spasms, as well as headache. It can also be used cold as an astringent. A decoction of roots is supposed to be good for “nervous headache” and the leaves themselves can be used to make an ointment for the treatment of small cuts and grazes.
To make an infusion, take 2-3 teaspoonfuls of fresh or 1-2 teaspoonfuls of dried herb and add a cup of boiling water. Allow to stand for at least 10 minutes, strain and sip slowly. To make a decoction, take about an ounce of dried root and put in a pan, adding a cup of water. Bring to a boil and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, then strain and use or bottle.
As with all remedial herbs, it’s vital that primroses should be grown organically so as to avoid them being contaminated with toxic substances. To find out more about growing organic primroses, visit the Gardenzone.
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November 3rd, 2008 at 14:44
[...] Primrose, Oenothera biennis (sometimes labeled Onagra biennis), is not related to the Common or Wild Primrose, despite the name. It’s biennial, so to ensure a continuous supply, you need to sow or plant [...]