MEDICINAL PLANTS

Spring is a perennial herb belonging to the Primulaceae family, comprising about 500 species, almost all herbs, which are common cold and temperate countries. Is provided with a rosette, supported by a short strain and a dense network of roots fasciculate. At the beginning of spring you see a naked scape with an umbel of yellow flowers. It breeds in forest clearings, in the shade, in hedgerows, meadows, river banks, etc.. Across the Pyrenees and mountains of the northeast of the peninsula, still more rare to find the further south.

FLOWERING

It blooms very early in the spring, hence its name. On some mountains a little high in late April and flowers are not fresh. For medicinal purposes is used almost throughout the plant rhizome, roots, flowers and leaves.

APPLICATIONS

The flowers are abundant triterpenic saponins and flavonoids derived from oleanene quercetol and kenferol derivatives. In the rhizome and root alkaloids have two springs and called it to degrade primulaverósido-salicylic-derived form and we also found a saponin means the active ingredient is interesting about this plant is called primulina latter saponin, which determines a soothing action, liquefy secretions bronchial. According to some authors, this compound is acidic, being insoluble in water and with great power hemolytic. The amount of this active ingredient varies widely depending on time of year to examine the sample, the greatest wealth in the primulina occurs in the flowering season and autumn. Other components of the plant flavonoids, confer a spasmolytic action, diuretic and antiedematous. Salicylic acid derivatives give febrifuge properties, analgesic and antirheumatic. This plant is especially useful in diseases of the respiratory tree as colds, bronchitis, asthma and sinusitis. It is also recommended in certain urological problems such as oliguria (low urination), edema, cystitis and rheumatic pains and gout. Finally, it is worth noticing that some glandular hairs found in the leaves of this species and other species of primula garden grown produce large skin irritation to certain individuals particularly susceptible, with only touch the leaves, hence should be gloves when it is to manipulate it.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion of leaves and flowers. From 5 gr. Crushed leaves and flowers, prepare a tea which you can drink 3 cups a day.
Decoction. It is best prepared from the root and rhizome. They hold 5 gr. Plant and put in boiling water for 5 minutes. It may take 3 cups daily.
Fluid extract. It can be used internally at a rate of 20-25 drops, 3 times a day, or in compresses, externally, diluting the extract to 5% in hot water. Externally applied in bumps and bruises as a painkiller.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Primulaceae
HABITAT: Meadows in the Pyrenees
FLOWERING: April
PART USED: Rhizome, root, flower and leaf
CASTILIAN: Flor de primavera, verbásculo
CATALAN: Flor de cucut, papagalls
BASQUE: Ostorika

USES

Balsamic Strong, Moderate analgesic, Antirheumatic Leve.