Among the plants that have medicinal properties we have the Primula veris. It is known by other common names such as the spring flower, St. Peter's wort, paralysis herb, primrose, ostorica, and verbásculo, among others. It is widely used in the elderly to reduce some of the symptoms of old age itself. It is also used for decorative purposes due to the beauty of its flowers.
In this article we will explain everything about the characteristics, cultivation and properties of the Primrose you will see.
Key features
We have a plant with herbaceous perennial leaves. If the conditions are good, is capable of growing up to 30 cm in height. The leaves are quite wrinkled and it is arranged in the form of a basal rosette. Its shape is pubescent or stormy, although there are also oval and oblong ones. Normally, they contract in the part of the petiole.
The flowers stand out on the leaves for being an intense yellow. They are grouped in the shape of umbrellas, all facing the same side. They have orange stripes on the inside with a pubescent calyx. This mixture of orange with strong yellow and the green color of the stems and leaves also makes it useful for ornamentation. It is usually placed as a base plant in many gardens since its height is not usually very high.
To collect the leaves that possess the medicinal properties, the best time is spring. If we want to collect the leaves to serve as medicine, we must bear in mind that they must be fresh and not dry. The rhizome must be collected before the plant blooms. It has to be dried in the sun and stored in a bag to be collected in good condition.
The flowers have to be collected when they are in full bloom. They must be left to dry in a dark place and dry environment. Unlike the leaves, the flowers must be dry.
Main uses
La Primula veris It is used to treat senile cough and excess mucus. Serves as an expectorant. Another of the main uses is for the creation of calming, antispasmodic and tonic potions. All of them directly affect the state of the nervous system. Its flowers, when dry, are used to make a tea with a great aroma. It is not the same as Camellia sinensis, known as tea flower, which is capable of offering different types of tea depending on the maturation of the leaves, but it does have good properties.
When the dried flowers are used to make tea and coated in sugar, they can make delicious candies. As we mentioned at the beginning, it also has a good use as decoration. Although it does not have large flowers, the contrast of colors and the lively color of yellow help to create a more suitable atmosphere. There are some more exotic species of primroses that are often confused with those that have medicinal properties. However, these also have decorative use. They can be perfectly planted in the garden to increase the decoration to match other plants and, in turn, take advantage of their properties to use them when needed.
The most used parts are the rhizomes, the root, the leaves and the flowers that have calyxes. The stem is rarely used for anything. The root, rhizome and leaves must be collected before flowering. This is done because they are necessary for the plant to keep its flowers in good condition.
Medicinal properties of Primula veris
This plant with medicinal applications has several active principles. Among them we find saponin, some flavonoid pigments, enzymes, mineral salts, vitamin C, tannins, salicylic acid and other essential oils. These active ingredients can be used for a large number of medicines. On the other hand, we can also benefit from its properties directly through the elaboration of creams or with its leaves and flowers in tea preparations.
It has interesting properties such as being soothing. It acts directly on the nervous system and helps calm anxiety, stress and altered states. It also serves to reduce fever. In some diseases, fever causes greater severity in the patient's condition. Therefore, it is important to reduce fever.
As we have mentioned before, it serves as an expectorant for people with asthma, respiratory problems, bronchitis or continuous cough. For the elderly it is quite useful against senile cough. For people with increased fluid retention, it is an important diuretic. In this way, you can have some corrected effects on your fluid storage and may even lead to weight loss (not fat).
It is widely used to combat the effects of the flu and cough. With 20 mg of primrose rhizome in half a liter of water you can combat the effects. To do this, we prepare the 20 gr and the half liter of water. We boil it, strain it and sweeten it with some Stevia, sugar or honey. It can be taken between 3 or 4 cups a day to be able to notice the relief of the symptoms.
How to prepare it for different uses
Another use that can be given is to heal some pain from bumps or bruises. In this case, 100 grams of rhizome are needed in a liter of water. Let it lose the water up to a third of its volume.
To treat rheumatism or gout, 100 grams of primrose roots are needed in one liter of water. We let it boil for a while. Once it has boiled, we let it cool down a bit and apply it in the form of a plaster on the parts that hurt. The pains will go away relatively quickly.
If we want to take advantage of its diuretic effects to eliminate excess fluid retention we have to drink a decoction prepared with one liter of boiled water and 30 grams of primrose flowers.
Finally, to take in infusions and relieve the symptoms of cough and bronchitis, you need to use 60 grams of primrose, 10 grams of thyme, 10 grams of elderberry flowers and 2 grams of poppy petals.
I hope that with this information you can take advantage of the benefits of the Primula veris.