After a long and cold winter, we all await the appearance of the first messengers 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, the primrose was considered the flower of Olympus, it was called the "flower of the twelve gods." The Greeks believed that he emerged from a body that died from the love of the youth of Paralisos. Grieving for him, the gods turned him into a beautiful spring flower.
Ancient healers used the plant in the treatment of various paralyzes. In many countries, primrose is the flower of marriage. It is believed that the girl who first found the primrose flower is sure to meet her betrothed this year and get married. Particularly reverent was the primrose in England, where it was revered as a magical flower and firmly believed that the old gnomes and tiny fairies from the weather hide in it.
Types of Primroses
Today, there are more than five hundred species of primroses (primroses), which differ in flowering time, leaf shape, color of flowers. In our country, the most common plants that have medicinal properties:
- large-cup;
- spring primrose (medicinal);
- tall;
- mealy.
In this article we will introduce you to the medicinal primrose.
Plant description
The spring primrose is a perennial plant, the height of which ranges from 15 to 30 cm. This species has a leafless stem and a short rhizome with numerous branches.
The leaves have an ovoid-oblong shape. They gradually taper into the pterygoid petiole, and the tops of the leaves are slightly dulled. The medicinal primrose has bright yellow flowers that gather in a rather long flower arrow, slightly drooping to the side. They have a pleasant and delicate honey aroma.
The fruit of the plant is a multi-seeded box of brown color. Grass root, obliquely growing or vertical. Has a bunch of upper roots with several processes. The root system is rather weak.
The plant is compact, small, easily recognizable. The medicinal primrose blooms from April to mid-July. In the more northern regions, flowering may be a little late, but it is just as long. The fruits ripen in July.
Composition
The leaves of the plant contain:
- ascorbic acid - up to 5.9%;
- saponins, carotenes - 2%;
- flavonoids - 2%.
About 10% of saponins, essential oils, glycosides (primverin, primuloverin, manganese, alcohols, ascorbic acid, carotene) were found in the rhizome. In the flowers - flavonoids and saponins.
Healing properties
Primrose, the medicinal properties of which have been known since ancient times, has an expectorant effect and enhances the activity (secretory) of the bronchi and lungs. This is due to the content of triterpene glycosides in the plant roots. In addition, the medicinal primrose has the following medicinal properties:
- diuretic;
- sweatshops;
- antispasmodic;
- general strengthening;
- sedative;
- tonic;
- soothing.
Primrose spring medicinal: application
The primrose has found wide application in both folk and traditional medicine. Preparations from rhizomes and roots have a light diuretic, expectorant and diaphoretic effect, accelerate the excretion of sputum from the bronchi and respiratory tract, significantly increase the activity of the ciliary epithelium.
Medicines based on the primrose are used for severe bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, accompanied by both dry and wet cough, catarrhal gastritis, chronic tracheitis, bronchopneumonia, as a sedative for insomnia, diseases of the nervous system.
The herb primrose, in particular the leaves of primrose, is consumed in the form of vitamin tea, which is a powerful restorative agent for anemia. In addition, a decoction and infusion of leaves helps with gout, swelling, problems with the urinary system.
The beneficial properties of primrose officinalis are also manifested in the use of fresh leaves in the form of salads. This is an excellent tool for the prevention of spring vitamin deficiency.
Primrose preparations: infusion of roots and rhizomes
Place 10 grams of dry raw materials in a bowl (preferably enameled), fill the grass with 250 ml of boiled hot water, close the container with a lid and place it in a water bath for half an hour.
After this, the composition should be cooled in vivo and filtered. The remaining raw materials should not be thrown away: they can be used one more time. Bring the volume of the composition to 200 ml with cooled boiled water. The tool is used in two tablespoons (tablespoons) three times a day about half an hour before meals for chronic diseases of the bronchi and lungs.
Decoction of the roots
Pour 20 grams of raw material with 500 ml of water and simmer for fifteen minutes over low heat. Then the mixture should be infused. This will take no more than forty minutes. Strain the resulting product and take 100 ml before each meal. The broth is recommended for diseases of the bronchi and lungs, kidneys and severe forms of rheumatism.
Herb decoction
Boil 20 grams of dry chopped leaves in 250 ml of water for half an hour over low heat. After this, strain the resulting composition and bring the volume to the original with boiled water.
Take this remedy one spoonful (tablespoon) at least four times a day for whooping cough, acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia.
Infusion of primrose flowers
Pour 25 grams of dry raw materials with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for half an hour. Wring out the raw material, take 100 ml four times a day. The infusion normalizes metabolism, improves gastric secretion.
Primrose juice
Squeeze juice from flowering grass (aerial parts). Take it in a third of a glass, adding a spoon (teaspoon) of honey three times a day before meals.
Primrose Syrup
Primrose syrup is an excellent expectorant, which is effective for acute respiratory infections, tracheitis, bronchitis, accompanied by a dry cough. Syrup, has a brown color and a subtle specific smell. It can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Restorative drink
Rinse well 250 grams of fresh primrose flowers and fill it with a liter of cold water, leave to infuse before fermentation begins. After that add to your choice: sugar, honey or jam to taste. Keep the drink in a cool, dark place. 150 ml is taken four times a day before meals.
Tea
Grind dry leaves or roots and mix with St. John's wort (grass) in equal parts. Grind the 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 aerial part of the plant: stems, leaves and flowers. The aerial part of the primrose is harvested when the plant begins to bloom. Raw materials are dried after harvesting in the open sun or in dryers. The maximum temperature is +50 ° C. This is due to the fact that during slow drying, the content of vitamin C in the plant is significantly reduced.
Leaves are carefully torn off with your hands, while half of them should be left on the stem. This will allow the plant to grow and develop normally. We must not forget that the primrose officinalis is listed in the Red Book, therefore its mass collection is prohibited.
The dried leaves have a grayish-green color, a honey smell and a sweetish taste, which is quickly replaced by a burning-bitter aftertaste.
Flowers are harvested without cups from April to May. Dry them in the fresh air under a canopy, or in a well-ventilated, shaded area. The medicinal primrose, or rather, its flowers, dried correctly, are blooming yellow corollas with a delicate smell and sweet taste.
The roots of the plant should be dug in the fall, immediately after the aerial part of the plant fades. You can do this in early spring, but before the flowering of primrose. The roots are thoroughly 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 exceeding + 60 ° C. Properly dried rhizomes have a reddish-brown color. Inside the roots are whitish in color with a bitter astringent taste and subtle odors.
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 officinalis. The use of any drugs or even touching the grass can cause them itching and severe burning on the skin. The affected areas are covered with bubbles, which are filled with liquid. Later, in the places where the vesicles were and healed, the skin begins to peel off, and when combed, sores can form. Pollen trapped in the upper respiratory tract or mouth can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes.
If allergic reactions occur, medication should be stopped immediately. Primrose is not recommended for use by pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as children under three years of age.