| Dietary sources | |
| Cowslip belongs to the genus primula and is found mainly on calcareous soils in Europe and the Near East. It was already known by the Celts as a medicinal plant and is still successfully used today in modern phytotherapy. Only the leaves of cowslip are used in foods, in Spanish cuisine they are traditionally used in salads. |
| Extracts of cowslip in respiratory diseases |
| The Primula (Primulae radix) is a mucilaginous drug with expectorant and antiphlogistic properties. Salicylate glycosides and saponins are mentioned as the main active ingredients. The saponins lead to a liquefaction of the mucus, while the salicylate glycosides are predominantly antiphlogistic (1). |
| Dosage | Indication | Dosage |
| Physiological effects at a low intake |
Therapy for colds & influenzan bronchitis and catarrhs of the upper airways | 0.01 - 0.02 ml/d |
| Therapeutic support for cough complaints and chesty cough | 0.01 - 0.02 ml/d |
| General mode of administration | |
| When |
Primula extract should be taken between meals. |
| Side effects | |
| No side effects are known to date. | |
| Contraindications | |
| No use if allergic to Primula extract. Note possible cross allergies. | |
| Drug or nutrient interactions | |
| None | No interactions are known to date. |
| References |
|
1) Wagner, H., Wiesenauer, M. Phytotherapie: Phytopharmaka and herbal homeopathics, 2nd edition. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2003. References Interactions |
