Primula

PRIMULA, Primula officinalis Jacq., cowslip, white betony, medicinal primrose (see figure), a perennial herbaceous plant of the primrose family (Primulaceae), distributed throughout Europe and Asia, with the exception of the northernmost parts. It is found in meadows, on hills, and in forests among shrubs. The flowers of the Primula, which were previously used in folk medicine in the form of tea for colds, coughs, and as

Primula officinalis: 1- flowering plant; 2- flower; 3 and 4- flower in longitudinal section; 5- stamen; 6- cross-section of the flower; 7- pistil; 8- cross-section of the ovary; 9- opened fruit; 10- ovule; 11- seed in longitudinal section.

a diaphoretic, have recently been completely abandoned.

It is used in folk medicine in the form of an infusion of flowers and roots for the relief of pain in articular rheumatism and as a sedative. In 1920, Goris and Vischniac isolated the glycosides primverin and primulaverin from the root of the Primula, which, however, did not receive independent application. During the imperialist war, when it became necessary to replace imported ipecacuanha and senega, it was proposed to use the root of the Primula as an expectorant. The effect was partly based on the content of saponin-like substances in the root. It is used in the form of a decoction of 1.0-2.0 to 100.0 of water, one tablespoon every 2 hours. A number of preparations were released: tussipekt—the ammonium salt of Primula saponins; primulat—a liquid extract of Primula and sweet violet; primulin—a mixture of Primula saponins with 20% sodium benzoate and 1.5% anise oil.

Lit.: Gaisböck F., Die Radix Primulae als Expektorans und Diuretikum, Klin. Wschr., 1924, p. 474-479; Joachimowitz R., Die Radix Primulae, ein neues Expektorans, Wien. klin. Wschr., 1920, p. 606-611.