2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Primrose / Primula / is a representative of one of the largest genera in the Primrose family, which includes about 500 species of perennial herbaceous plants. The stem of the primrose is erect, with a height of 5 to 35 cm and a diameter of 1 to 3 mm. At the base of the stem are attached to a rosette of leaves. They are 5 to 18 cm long and the flowers are 3-10 in number.
The primrose grows in the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. In our country it is found at the foot of the pre-Balkan and Balkan regions. It grows in bushes, meadows, forests and meadows.
The botanical name of primrose - Primula comes from the Latin name "primus", which means first, wounded. It is associated with the appearance of the flower in early spring.
According to Bulgarian beliefs, the harbinger of spring is Baba Marta, who chose the primrose to announce that spring has come. That's why she has colorful wrists on her headscarves primrose.
Growing primroses
Primroses are propagated by seeds and division of tufts, and some species by leaf cuttings. It is best to sow the seeds in early February, in boxes at room temperature. Small primroses appear after 16-18 days. They are grown carefully until the leaves appear. Then they can be planted in the actual place of cultivation.
Primroses tolerate the weak spring sun, but grow best in partial shade, under shrubs and trees that do not completely block the sun's rays. The soil should be rich in humus and loose, it should not dry out too quickly.
Places where water stagnates and wet clay soils are not quite suitable. Take care of the lawn from primrose in the yard are not many. Weeds should be weeded and the soil slightly loosened.
Usually a year or two after planting the primroses form dense tufts and completely cover the soil. For the good overwintering of the plants it is very important to keep the leaf rosette until late autumn, because it is a natural shelter for the rhizomes.
Unfortunately, beautiful primroses are attacked by many enemies and diseases. With excess moisture in the soil they die from rotting stems. They suffer from rust and are not bypassed by bacterial stains. Naked snails and aphids are a serious enemy.
Primrose composition
The overhead part of primrose contains phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, carotene, tannins, vitamin C, salicylic acid esters, essential oil and more. The roots and rhizomes have a similar content.
Collection and storage of primrose
The usable parts of the plant are the roots, rhizome, flowers and leaves. The roots and rhizome should be picked before flowering in April and when the leaves begin to turn yellow (June). During flowering / March, May / the leaves are picked.
Benefits of primrose
The saponins contained in primrose have an excellent expectorant and expectorant effect. The herb is used to treat flu, asthma, whooping cough. The roots are used to relieve inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, difficulty urinating and gout.
Primrose leaves are used to treat headaches, fatigue, lack of vitamins C and A. Primrose flowers are used to treat insomnia and nervousness. The roots have expectorant and some diaphoretic and diuretic action. They increase gastric secretion and have a calming effect on the nervous system.
Primrose is used in all types of cough and inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract, in neuroses. The whole herb is used for heart failure, kidney inflammation and thorns.
Internal application of primrose: 1 tbsp. roots of the herb is boiled in 500 ml of water for about 10 minutes. Drink 1 cup of coffee 4 times before meals. It can be sweetened with honey. From the aboveground part 2 tbsp. are boiled with 500 ml of water. It is drunk in the same way.
Primrose damage
Allergic side effects can occur when working with primrose. The same is observed in some cases when growing and as an ornamental plant in the room.
