Primula officinalis
Early spring plant - primula - also known as primrose or rams ... Leaves her wrinkled, wavy on the edge and covered with velvety fuzz - they look like the skin of a lamb. In some regions, primula called key: its inflorescence resembles a bunch of keys. Primrose grows in mixed and deciduous forests, among shrubs and forest meadows. Abundantly found in the secondary forest and forest-steppe zone of Russia, in the zone of deciduous and mixed forests. Blooms in May, while the forest a little shaded foliage. In the golden flowers of primrose is an interesting device, which protects the plant from self-pollination: anther stamen and pistil stigma are in them at different levels, which eliminates accidental hit their own pollen.Medicinal properties have leaves and the rhizome with the roots of primrose. Primrose was known in ancient Greece, where the drug was considered the flower of Mount Olympus. The Greeks called primrose "dodekateon", ie a flower 12 sides, and believed in its healing power. Special love this plant enjoyed the British.
Leaves are rich in vitamin C and its contents up to 700 milligram-percent. The leaves are used for the treatment of hypo-and avitaminosis as a tincture. In the rhizomes and roots contain glycosides, saponins, essential oils and vitamins. Preparations from the roots and rhizomes appointed as extraordinary means of upper respiratory tract diseases, chronic tracheitis and bronchitis, and pneumonia. But often these drugs are used in combination with the camomile, calendula drug and anise. Due to the presence of saponins primrose gives protivokash-left, diaphoretic and diuretic effect. Leaves are collected during or at the end of flowering, dried quickly and if possible, heated to a temperature of 60 œ C, as this vitamin C remains almost completely.
Rhizomes primrose juicy, densely lined with thin roots. Harvest them in spring or autumn. It should be very careful to collect, since the preparation of underground organs destroyed all the plants - on-site data collection is required sowing of seeds of this plant, and should definitely keep intact 10-15 percent of the plant to resume. A second workpiece can be carried out in this place no sooner than 5-7 years!
Unearthed roots shake and purified from the ground, washed, then a little provyalivayut in air and dried in the usual way. Some kinds of primrose very decorative, they are grown in flats, gardens, but not to all fans of the indoor flower is known that 2 species of primroses - Primrose China and obkanika - cause a severe allergic reaction.
not inferior in its effect primrose krupnochashechny, found in the Volga-Urals, Caucasus, Altai, and primrose Voronova (the Caucasus). With cosmetic purposes are used as leaves and underground parts. Infusion of the leaves in the form of lotions, rinses removes red face; apply for flabby skin, acne, freckles, and hair diseases. Decoction of rhizomes and roots are used as a means of stimulating hair growth.