After a long and cold winter, we are all waiting for the first heralds of spring to appear - tender and fragrant snowdrops. And not everyone knows that these are not the only messengers of the long-awaited spring, which notify us that the reign of winter has come to an end. At the same time, the earth 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 appeared from the body that died from the love of the young man Paralysos. Mourning for him, the gods turned him into a beautiful spring flower.
Ancient healers used the plant in the treatment of various paralysis. In many countries, primrose is the flower of marriage. It is believed that the girl who first found a primrose flower will definitely meet her betrothed this year and get married. The primrose was especially reverent in England, where it was revered as a magical flower and it was firmly believed that old gnomes and tiny fairies were hiding in it.from bad weather.
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 with medicinal properties:
- large-cup;
- spring primrose (medicinal);
- high;
- mealy.
In this article, we will introduce you to medicinal primrose.
Description of the plant
Spring primrose officinalis is a perennial plant that ranges in height from 15 to 30 cm. This species has a leafless stem and a short rhizome with numerous branches.
The leaves are ovate-oblong. They gradually taper into a pterygoid petiole, and the tops of the leaves are slightly blunt. Medicinal primrose has flowers of bright yellow color, which are collected 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 brown box. Grass root, obliquely growing or vertical. It has a bunch of upper roots with several processes. The root system is rather weak.
The plant is compact, small, easily recognizable. Medicinal primrose blooms from April to mid-July. In more northern areas, 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. The flowers contain 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 roots of the plant. In addition, medicinal primrose has the following medicinal properties:
- diuretic;
- sweatshops;
- antispasmodic;
- tonic;
- sedative;
- tonic;
- soothing.
Spring primrose officinalis: application
Primrose has found wide application in both folk and traditional medicine. Preparations from rhizomes and roots have a slight diuretic, expectorant and diaphoretic effect, accelerate the removal of sputum from the bronchi and respiratory tract, and significantly increase the activity of the ciliated epithelium.
Drugs based on primrose officinalis are used for severe bronchitis, tracheitis, inflammation of the lungs, accompanied by both dry and wet cough, catarrhal gastritis, chronic tracheitis, bronchopneumonia, as a sedative for insomnia, diseases of the nervous system.
Medicinal herb primrose, in particular primrose leaves, is consumed in the form of vitamin tea, which is a powerful tonic for anemia. In addition, a decoction and infusion of the leaves helps with gout, swelling, problems with the urinary system.
Useful properties of primrose officinalis are also manifested when fresh leaves are used in the form of salads. This is an excellent remedy for the prevention of spring beriberi.
Primrose preparations: infusion of roots and rhizomes
Place 10 grams of dry raw materials in a bowl (preferably enameled), pour 250 ml of boiled hot water over the herb, close the container with a lid and set it in a water bath for half an hour.
After that, the composition should be cooled in natural conditions and filtered. The remaining raw materials should not be thrown away: it can be used one more time. Bring the volume of the composition to 200 ml with cooled boiled water. The remedy is used two tablespoons (tablespoons) three times a day about half an hour before meals for chronic diseases of the bronchi and lungs.
Decoction of roots
20 grams of raw materials pour 500 ml of water and boil over low heat for fifteen minutes. Then the mixture should be infused. This will take no more than forty minutes. Strain the resulting remedy and take 100 ml before each meal. The decoction is recommended for diseases of the bronchi and lungs, kidneys and severe forms of rheumatism.
Herbal decoction
20 grams dry crushed leavesboil in 250 ml of water for half an hour over low heat. After that, strain the resulting composition and bring the boiled water to the original volume.
Take this remedy one tablespoon (tablespoon) at least four times a day for whooping cough, acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia.
Infusion of primrose flowers
25 grams of dry raw materials pour 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
Juice is squeezed out of flowering grass (above-ground part). Take it in a third of a glass, adding a spoon (tea) 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. The syrup has a brown color and a subtle specific smell. It can be purchased at a pharmacy.
Fortifying drink
250 grams of fresh primrose flowers, rinse well and pour a liter of cold water, leave to infuse until fermentation begins. After that, add your choice: sugar, honey or jam to taste. Keep the drink in a cool dark place. Taken 150 ml four times a day before meals.
Tea
Dry leaves or roots grind and mix with St. John's wort (grass) in equal parts. Grind the herbal mixture and brew it like a tea. You can improve the taste with honey orjam.
Collection and storage of raw materials
For medicinal purposes, both the roots and the aerial part of the plant are used: stems, leaves and flowers. The aerial part of the primrose is harvested when the plant begins to bloom. Raw materials are dried after collection in the open sun or in dryers. Maximum temperature - +50 °C. This is due to the fact that with slow drying, the content of vitamin C in the plant is significantly reduced.
Leaves are carefully plucked by hand, with half of them should be left on the stem. This will allow the plant to grow and develop normally in the future. We must not forget that the primrose is listed in the Red Book, so its mass collection is prohibited.
Dried leaves have a greyish-green color, a honey smell and a sweetish taste that quickly changes to a bitter-bitter taste.
Flowers are harvested without calyx from April to May. Dry them in the fresh air under a canopy, or in a well-ventilated shady place. Medicinal primrose, or rather, its flowers, dried properly, are blooming yellow corollas with a delicate smell and a sweetish taste.
The roots of the plant should be dug up in autumn, immediately after the aerial part of the plant withers. You can do this in early spring, but before the primrose blooms. The roots are thoroughly shaken off the ground, then washed in running cold water, dried a little in the air, and then completely dried in a dryer at a temperature not exceeding + 60 ° C. Properly dried rhizomesare reddish brown in color. Inside, the roots are whitish in color with a bitter, astringent taste and subtle odors.
Dried raw materials are stored either in multilayer paper bags or canvas bags in a ventilated area.
Contraindications, side effects
Quite rarely, but there are people with an allergic reaction to 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 blisters that fill with fluid. Later, in places where the bubbles were and healed, the skin begins to peel off, and when combing, ulcers can form. Pollen in the upper respiratory tract or mouth can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes.
If allergic reactions occur, the medication should be stopped immediately. Medicinal primrose is not recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as children under three years old.
