Primrose real

The cowslip, Primula veris, is found in dry meadows, meadows and sparse deciduous forests.

The wood primrose (Primula elatior) thrives mostly in floodplain forests and on mountain meadows; furthermore on the edges of streams and ditches.

Both species have a distribution area that stretches from Spain across Central Europe to the east across the Caucasus and into Iran. In Scandinavia, cowslip is only found in Denmark and Sweden.

Phytotherapeutically, the dried rhizomes with the 1 mm thick, long dried roots (primrose root - Primulae radix) and the dried flowers (primrose flowers - Primulae flos cum calyce) are used.

Both species of primrose are perennial herbaceous plants that reach growth heights of 8 to 30 centimetres and are usually found in smaller and larger groups. The leaves are arranged in a rosette. The flowers of the spring primrose are yolk yellow, those of the forest primrose sulphur yellow. The flowering period in Switzerland extends from February to May.

Both primrose species are parent plants of Primulae radix, the dried rootstock with roots.

According to the DAC, only Primula veris is the parent plant of Primulae flosses. According to HMPC, both Primula veris and Primula elatior are primulae stems of Primulae flos.

Cosmetics: Primula veris extract (INCI name) is the extract from the above-ground parts of the plant and from root components. The extract acts as an emollient and skin soothing agent.

Primula vulgaris extract (INCI) is the flower extract from the primrose. The extract acts as an emollient and soothes the skin.