Primrose real

The cowslip, primula veris, colonizes dry meadows, edges and sparse deciduous forests. Height up to 20 cm, pale yellow to yellowish-yellow flowers hanging at the end of the stem, flowering time - March to June, fruit ripening - August to September

The larger wood cowslip (Primula elatior) usually grows in alluvial forests and mountain meadows, as well as along the edges of streams and ditches.

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

The dried rootstocks (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 phytotherapeutically.

Both species of cowslip are perennial, herbaceous plants that grow to a height of 8 to 30 centimeters and are usually found in smaller and larger groups. The leaves are arranged in a rosette. The flowers of the spring cowslip are yolk-yellow, while those of the forest cowslip are sulphur-yellow. The flowering period in Switzerland is from February to May.

Both primula species are stem plants of Primulae radix, the dried rhizome with roots.

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

Cosmetics: Primula veris extract(INCI name) is the extract from the aerial parts of the plant and from root components. The extract acts as an emollient and soothes the skin.

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

Ingredients: saponins, especially primulic acid, flavonoids, rutoside, carotenoids, rosmarinic acid, kaempferol-3 rutonoside,

For use, see Primula flos and Primula radix.

Also used in folk medicine to strengthen the heart, against gout and aching limbs, chest diseases, headaches, trembling limbs, neuralgia

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/primel.php
2. Montag A (2023) Plants and skin. Springer-Verlag GmbH. S. 821-824. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63014-3_7
3. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practitioners. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 517-518