Cowslip
Botanical Description & Habitat
Primula veris
Family
Primulaceae
Common Names
Paigle
Peagle
Habitat
Europe, Siberia, western Asia, and North Africa; found in meadows and pastures and along roadsides, preferring dry locations.
Description
Cowslip is a perennial root. It produces bright green, egg-shaped basal leaves, which are lighter on the underside, are pubescent, wrinkled, and marked with veins. The stem rises from the center of the leaves; it is leafless and reaches 4-5 inches in height. Yellow flowers grow in drooping, single-sided clusters, which bloom during April and May. The fruit is a glabrous, oblong capsule containing numerous brown seeds.
Medicinal Parts
Flowers - dried, roots and leaves
Historical Properties & Uses
Cowslip is used as a mild expectorant, as a diuretic to ease kidney complaints, and as an antispasmodic in the treatment of respiratory problems such as bronchitis, pneumonia, colds, and coughs.
Cowslip contains a number of potentially beneficial substances, including saponins and glycosides, but none of its properties have been experimentally tested.
Cowslip should not be ingested raw.
Method of Action
The method of action of cowslip, including basic pharmacological work, has not been investigated. Several components of the plant have been identified: saponins, A-primulic acid, glycosides (primulaveroside, primveroside, salicylic ester), and flavones. These are potentially bio-active substances.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Since cowslip's diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, this herb may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of glucose-elevating agents.
Diuretics in general may potentiate the action of antihypertensive, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and, to a lesser degree, norepinephrine.
Possible Interactions
When taken in conjunction with corticotropin (ACTH) or corticosteroids, this diuretic herb is more prone to produce hypokalemia. The use of diuretic herbs may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs.
Furthermore, the diuretic action of cowslip may reduce renal clearance of lithium.
Caution should be used when taking cowslip in conjunction with CNS depressants or stimulants.
Due to presence of salicylates, cowslip may potentiate the effects of other anticoagulant agents, such as heparin. Cowslip, because of its salicylate-like constituents may also potentiate para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) toxicity in patients using aminosalicylate drugs.
By competing for renal tubular secretion, salicylates prolong the half-life of penicillin G, increasing both its effectiveness and its toxicity.
Cowslip's analgesic effects may be additive with other analgesics and anesthetics. Conversely, they may be inhibited by barbiturates, despite any CNS-depressant effects which may occur. The analgesic property of cowslip may be reversed or even eliminated by P-chlorophenylalaine, cyproheptadine HCl, and phenobarbital.
The CNS depressant tendency of this analgesic herb may be potentiated by chlorprothixene HCl , haloperidol, and tranquilizers.
Comments
Prolonged use of this diuretic herb may affect certain laboratory test results such as electrolytes, especially potassium and sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, glucose, and protein bound iodine (PBI).
To minimize cns depression and possible synergism, cowslip should not be used by persons on procarbazine antineoplastic drugs.
Salicylates block renal tubular secretion of methotrexate (cancer drug), thereby increasing the amount of active drug.
Plasma salicylate concentration may be increased by ammonium chloride, vitamin C, and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA); it may be decreased by antacids.
The salicylate action of cowslip will increase the renal clearance of naproxen, and inhibit the uricosuric effect of sulfinpyrazone.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Most herbalists agree the raw plant contains irritating alkaloids. Cowslip should be dried before use.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Dried flowers
1-2 grams
Tea
made of 1-2 grams dried flowers
Fluid extract
1:1 in 25% alcohol, 1-2 ml
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
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