Spring (Primula veris)

As its name suggests, spring (primula veris), announces with its appearance the imminent arrival of this season and not to be confused with the evening primrose or primrose. It grows in somewhat humid forest clearings and borders, along with liverworts and wild strawberries.

It is a beautiful and delicate plantwith a short rhizome, thick, irregularly toothed leaves, arranged in a rosette, and flowers in unilateral, pendulous umbels, with an inflated calyx and a yellow corolla.

In Germany it was known as Schlüsselblume either key flowerdue to its similarity to a bunch of keys, and also as the flower of San Pedro, alluding to the one who carries the keys to heaven.

In central Europe, a highly appreciated sedative liquor was made from the flowers. The flowers and leaves are used for therapeutic purposes, and to a greater extent the root and rhizome, especially as remedy against mucus and cough and skin.

The medicinal properties of spring

The root and rhizome contain salicylic derivatives, two glycosides (primaverine and primulaverine), primulinic acid and an essential oil, while the flowers stand out for their flavonoids and triterpene saponosides. The rhizome, as it dries up, acquires a anise aroma and flavor very noticeable.

Its properties and indications include:

Is considered balsamic, mucolytic and febrifuge, which makes it useful in respiratory conditions with mucus, coughing fits and tenths of fever. In general, it is indicated in colds, flu, bronchitis, tracheitis, asthma attacks, sinusitis and respiratory allergies due to pollen or dustwith rhinitis and conjunctivitis. It is diuretic, which makes it useful in case of edema, fluid retention, urinary tract infections and rheumatism.Combined with other purification plants helps eliminate pimples, eczema and other skin conditions. In internal use, combined with betony and marjoram, it is also recommended for relieve headaches or heaviness in the head that accompanies flu and cold processes. in external use It is used to reduce inflammation and reduce pain in blows, bruises, arthritic inflammations and neuralgia.

Natural remedies with spring

Expectorant tea: The rhizome is associated with plantain, thyme and marshmallow in equal parts. How to prepare it: Add a tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water, boil for 4 minutes, let stand and strain. It is taken hot two or three times a day. Purifying infusion of the skin: To eliminate impurities from the skin, spring is mixed with purifying plants that reinforce its effect: burdock, sarsaparilla and pansy, in equal parts. How to prepare it: Boil this mixture in water for 2-3 minutes, let it rest for another 5 and strain. They have to take three cups a day, on an empty stomach, until the pimples, blackheads and other skin impurities disappear.liniment for bruises: To cure erosions and bruises, you can prepare a liniment with spring rhizome, rosemary, hypericum and arnica, in equal parts. How to prepare it: The plants are covered with sweet almond oil and left to rest in a jar for three weeks. It is filtered and the liniment is ready to be applied to sore areas.

how to take

In the form of a dry plant for infusion and decoction, tincture, liquid extract, and decoction and liniment for external use with compresses or in scrubs and washes.

Precautions and contraindications

in internal use high doses should be avoidedsince they can cause gastric discomfort.

The cool plantwhen collected, can also produce contact irritation.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”