Primula: properties, use, contraindications

The primula ( Primula veris or officinalis ) is a plant of the family Primulaceae . Known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic properties, it is useful against insomnia and headaches. Let's find out better.

Properties of the primula

The flowers of the primula are very rich in triterpene saponins (5-10%); the most important is primulin, and as an infusion they are effective remedies in the treatment of insomnia and headache.

The roots of the plant contain two phenolic heterosides derived from salicylic acid, primrose and primrose, which are transformed by hydrolysis into derivatives of salicylic acid, whose analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic virtues are well known: in fact they are the same virtues which characterize aspirin.

Its intake is indicated to calm rheumatic pains and in the treatment of gout, caused by the presence of uric acids, to relieve edema or swelling in the extremities, and to make the hematomas reabsorb.

Furthermore the primula has expectorant and mucolytic properties , in the form of decoction, it is used in the treatment of coughs, colds, bronchitis and bronchial asthma.

Method of use

DECOTTO : 1 tablespoon of burdock root, 1 cup of water

Pour the chopped root in cold water, light the fire and bring to a boil. Boil a few minutes and turn off the heat. Cover and leave to infuse for 10 min. Filter the infusion and drink it on a full stomach against coughs, colds and joint pains.

Discover the history, properties and recipes with primrose

Contraindications of the primula

There are no contraindications for the use of the primula except in the case of a confirmed allergy to one or more components.

Description of the plant

Biennial herbaceous plant, rubusta, often cultivated as an annual with abundant light green leaves, broad, obovate or spatulate, which form a dense basal head may present the lamina crenata, lobed, whole and with toothed margins depending on the species under consideration.

The flowers gathered in dense globose groups at the top of the variously colored erect stems that appear gathered in umbrella-shaped, spike or vertically-shaped inflorescences, sometimes overlapping.

The fruit is a unilocular capsule, oblong and dehiscent at the top for 5-10 teeth. It is enclosed by the glass which is persistent. The interior contains numerous flattened brownish seeds that ripen between July and August.

The habitat of the primula

On the Italian territory this species is quite common in the north and in the center (but is absent in the south and in the islands); outside Italy it is common both in Europe and in Asia, up to 2300 m of altitude.

It grows on dry meadows and woods; prefers limestone soils is low nutritional values of the soil which must be averagely moist.

Background

The name derives from an ancient Italian phrase meaning " spring flower " and before that it could derive from the Latin primus . At the beginning of the Renaissance, this term indifferently indicated any flower that bloomed as soon as winter ended, such as the spring daisies ( Bellis perennis - Pratolina). Later, however, the meaning was narrowed as a specific name for this plant.

In scientific literature one of the first botanists to use the name "Primula" for these flowers was PA Mattioli (1500 - 1577), physician and botanist of Siena, famous among other things for having done studies on Dioscorides and for having written a of the first modern botanical works.

Name confirmed in the seventeenth century also by the French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (5 June 1656 - 28 December 1708) to whom the foundation of this genus is normally attributed. For the specific name veris the etymology is very uncertain, some texts translate it more or less with true spring .