Wild Primrose (Primula vulgaris or Primula acaulis) is undoubtedly one of the harbingers of spring. We can spot them very early, in January if the winter is warm. In any case, they peek out of the ground in early spring.
As child, I loved to blow in the primrose flowers, that served as a musical instrument. When it stopped "trumpeting", I ate it as a dessert.
Culinary use
Primrose flowers and also a leaves are used in cooking mainly to decorate dishes.
Due to the vitamin value, we prepare various salads or soups from the flowers, and add the chopped ones to various types of vegetables.
Dried flowers are also a beautiful decoration next to a cup of coffee or tea.
Medicinal use
As the first spring plant, it is important because it alleviates diseases that occur at the end of winter. It can be used both fresh and dried.
Primrose primarily mentions the active ingredients that affect the respiratory tract, as saponin, essential oils, glycoside, flavonoids and others.
As medicine, we use it internally and externally.
Internal against bronchial catarrh, cough, flu. Because it cleanses the blood, prevents rheumatic diseases. Its also used against insomnia, migraines, dizziness.
When used externally, baths made from boiled whole plants (also roots) are excellent. They are used mainly against pain in the joints.
Coughing tea
The cough is soon relieved by drinking the infusion of flowers for two cups a day for a long time. Take 10 g of dried flowers per liter of water.
Blood-cleansing tea
In spring, prepare a tea mixture from fresh plants.
Take 100 g primrose flowers, 100 g elderberry flowers, 50 g young leaves of stinging nettle and 50 g of dandelion roots.
Prepare the infusion by taking a large spoonful of the mixture per a cup of tea. Drink two cups of tea in sips during the day.
Tea against insomnia
100 g primrose flowers, 50 g lavender flowers, 30 g hop cones (unsprayed wild-growing hops), 20 g St. John's wort and 10 g of valerian roots. Prepare the infusion by taking a teaspoon and a half of the herb mixture for a cup of tea. Let it covered for 10 minutes, then strain and drink it before bed, about a quarter of a liter.