Practical
Plants

Primula veris

Cowslip

a perennial member of the Primula genus in the family Primulaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Primula
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.25 m
Spread
0.2 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Some people are allergic to the stamens of this plant, though such cases are easily treated[17].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - raw or cooked in soups etc[16][17][2][5][8]. They are not that tasty, but are available in late winter which adds somewhat to their value[K]. The fresh or dried leaves are used as a tea substitute[7][8]. Flowers - raw, cooked or used in conserves, as a garnish etc[16][8]. They make an ornamental addition to the salad bowl[238, K]. This species has become much less common in the past 100 years due to habitat destruction, over-collecting from the wild and farming practices. When it was more abundant, the flowers were harvested in quantity in the spring and used to make a tasty wine with sedative and nervine properties[12].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Cowslips are an underused but valuable medicinal herb. They have a very long history of medicinal use and have been particularly employed in treating conditions involving spasms, cramps, paralysis and rheumatic pains[12]. The plant contains saponins, which have an expectorant effect, and salicylates which are the main ingredient of aspirin and have anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge effects[12]. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant women, patients who are sensitive to aspirin, or those taking anti-coagulant drugs such as warfarin[12]. The flowers and the leaves are anodyne, diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant[17][18][11][6]. They are harvested in the spring and can be used fresh or dried[12]. The yellow corolla of the flower is antispasmodic and sedative[16]. They are recommended for treating over-activity and sleeplessness, especially in children[15]. They are potentially valuable in the treatment of asthma and other allergic conditions[15]. At one time an oil was produced by maceration of the flowers, this has an antiecchymotic effect (treats bruising)[17]. The root contains 5 - 10% triterpenoid saponins which are strongly expectorant, stimulating a more liquid mucous and so easing the clearance of phlegm [15]. It has been dried and made into a powder then used as a sternutatory[17]. The root is also mildly diuretic, antirheumatic and slows the clotting of blood[18][15]. It is used in the treatment of chronic coughs (especially those associated with chronic bronchitis and catarrhal congestion), flu and other febrile conditions[18]. The root can be harvested in the spring or autumn and is dried for later use[18]. The leaves have similar medicinal properties to the roots but are weaker in action[15]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[18]. It is used in the treatment of kidney complaints and catarrh[18].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiecchymotic
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Sternutatory

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain but absent from the extreme north, to temperate Asia.
Habitat
Grassy places, fields and woods with calcareous soils[17][18][3][13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[4]. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame[1]. Germination is inhibited by temperatures above 20°c[10]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in autumn. This is best done every other year[10].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a medium to heavy moisture retentive humus rich loam in a cool position with light to medium shade[10]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and on chalk[9]. Prefers full sun and a well-drained alkaline soil if it is to survive well[9][12]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[9]. A very ornamental plant[1], it grows well in the spring meadow[13]. The flowers diffuse a sweet fragrance quite unlike all other flower scents. It has been likened by some to the breath of a cow (cuslippe is the Saxon word for this and thus the origin of the common name), by others to the sweet milky breath of a tiny child[14].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

  3. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩

  5. Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970-00-00

    ↩

  6. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  7. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  13. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  14. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  15. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  17. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  18. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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