PDR for Herbal Medicines

232 /COWSLIP PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Homeopathic Uses: Primula veris is used to treat headaches

and skin rashes

COWSLIP ROOT

Approved by Commission E:

• Cough/Bronchitis

Unproven Uses: Cowslip root is used internally for catarrh of

the respiratory tract. In folk medicine it is used internally for

whooping cough, asthma, gout, rheumatic arthritis, bladder

and kidney disease, migraine, dizziness, stomach cramps,

scurvy and neuralgia. Externally it is used for headaches and

skin impurities.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

COWSLIP FLOWER

Contraindicated in known allergies to Cowslip.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

COWSLIP FLOWER

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages. The epigeal organs of the Primula species possess a

very high potential for sensitization due to the primine

content. In the cases of Primula veris and P. elatior, the

primine content is quite low, but sensitizations are neverthe-

less possible.

COWSLIP ROOT

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

OVERDOSAGE

COWSLIP FLOWER

Overdose could lead to gastric complaints and nausea.

COWSLIP ROOT

Overdose could lead to queasiness, nausea, gastric com-

plaints and diarrhea.

DOSAGE

COWSLIP FLOWER

Mode of Administration: Cowslip preparations are available

as solid and liquid pharmaceutical forms for oral intake and

also available parenterally for homeopathic use.

Preparations: Tea: boiling water is poured over 2 to 4 gm

drug and strained after 10 minutes (1 teaspoon corresponds

to approximately 1.3 gm drug).

Liquid extract — drug 1:1 with 25% ethanol (V/V) (BHP83)

Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 3 gm of drug. The

single dose is 1 gm of drug.

Tea — 1 cup several times a day. As a bronchial tea, several
cups a day, possibly sweetened with honey

Liquid extract — 1 to 2 ml 3 times a day

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every

30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

parenterally: i to 2 ml sc acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once

a day (HAB34); different doses for children.

Storage: Should be protected from light and moisture.

COWSLIP ROOT

Preparations: Tea: 0.2 to 0.5 gm finely cut drug are added to

cold water and brought to the boil, left to draw for 5 minutes

and strained (1 teaspoon corresponds to approximately 3.5

gm drug).

Extract: Percolation with 50 parts water and 50 parts ethanol,

then filtration and vacuum drying. The residue is dissolved

in 60 parts ethanol and 40 parts water and neutralized with

ammonia. It is then cooled for 24 hours and filtered again. It

is finally dehydrated to produce a dry extract under low

pressure. (OAB90)

Liquid extract: the Primula extract is dissolved in a mixture

of ethanol (30 parts), glycerol 85% (20 parts) and water (20

parts) and filtered when cool. (OAB90)

Tincture: 20 parts root and 100 parts diluted ethanol are

processed to a tincture in accordance with the OAB VII

maceration procedure.

Syrup: 1.5 parts Cowslip are dissolved in 20 parts water

while being heated. It is then mixed with 10 parts 85%

glycerol and 68.5 parts simple syrup. (OAB90)

Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 1 gm of drug. The

single dose is 0.5 gm of drug.

Tincture: The daily dose is 7.5 gm.

Extract: The single dose is 0.1 to 0.2 gm.

Liquid extract: The single dose is 0.5 gm.

Tea: as an expectorant, 1 cup every 2 to 3 hours, sweetened

with honey

Storage: Cowslip should be protected from light.

LITERATURE

COWSLIP FLOWER

Biiechi S, Antivirale Saponine, pharmakologische und klinische

Untersuchungen. In: DAZ 136(2):89-98. 1996.

Busse WW et al., (1984) J All Clin Immunol. 73:801.

Calis I, YCiriiker A, Ruegger H, Wright AD, Sticher O,

Triterpene saponins from Primula veris ssp. macrocalyx and

Primula elatiro ssp. meyeri. In: JNP 55:1299-1306. 1992.

Grecu VL, Cucu V, (1975) Planta Med 25:247.

Karl C et al., (1981) Planta Med 41:96.