Cowslip
Scientific names: Primula veris, Primula officinalis
Family: Primulaceae
Alternate names: Artetyke, Arthritica, Buckels, Butter Rose, Coqueluchon, Coucou, Crewel, Cuy Lippe, Drelip, English Cowslip, Fairy Cups, Herb Peter, Herbe de Saint Paul, Key Flower, Key of Heaven, Mayflower, Our Lady's Keys, Paigle, Peggle, Palsywort, Password, Peagle, Petty Mulleins, Plumrocks, Primerolle, Primevère, Primevère de Printemps, Primevère Officinale, Primevère Vraie, Primrose, Primula, Printanière, Tittypines
Actions: Anticancer, Expectorant effect
Background
Cowslip is a plant that grows throughout Europe and Asia. The flower and root are used to make medicine.
Cowslip flower is most commonly used for swollen nose and throat and bronchitis. It is also used for trouble sleeping, headache, muscle spasms, heart failure and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In combination with gentian root, European elder flower, verbena, and sorrel, cowslip is commonly used for maintaining healthy sinuses and treating swollen and painful sinuses caused by a viral infection (sinusitis).
Cowslip flower is most commonly used for swollen nose and throat and bronchitis. It is also used for trouble sleeping, headache, muscle spasms, heart failure and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In combination with gentian root, European elder flower, verbena, and sorrel, cowslip is commonly used for maintaining healthy sinuses and treating swollen and painful sinuses caused by a viral infection (sinusitis).
Safety Safety definitions
Cowslip is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in small amounts as part of combination products containing gentian root, European elder flower, verbena, and sorrel (SinuComp, Sinupret, Sinupret +) or when taken as part of a combination product containing cowslip and thyme (Bronchipret). There isn't enough information to know if cowslip is safe when used in medicinal amounts other than as part of the combination product. The combination products can cause digestive system upset and occasionally allergic skin rash.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking cowslip if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Inflamed nasal passages (sinusitis). Taking products containing cowslip, gentian root, European elder flower, verbena, and sorrel seems to improve symptoms of sinusitis. Taking a similar product containing cowslip and these ingredients along with a prescription intranasal steroid also seems to improve nasal symptoms better than taking the intranasal steroid alone.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Bronchitis. Early research shows that taking cowslip root in combination with thyme (Bronchipret) by mouth relieves symptoms of bronchitis such as coughing, fever, and increased production of mucus.
- Asthma.
- Cough.
- Fluid retention.
- Gout.
- Headache.
- Hysteria.
- Insomnia.
- Nerve pain.
- Nervous excitability.
- Nervous system complaints.
- Spasms.
- Tremors.
- Whooping cough.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
- Inflamed nasal passages (sinusitis): Specific combination products (SinuComp, Sinupret, Sinupret +) taken in doses to provide 36 mg of cowslip flower, 12 mg of gentian root, and 36 mg each of European elder flower, verbena, and sorrel has been used three times daily for 7 days.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Cowslip interacts with any medicines. Before taking Cowslip, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Cowslip contains chemicals that might thin and loosen mucus.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 29/12/2022 17:59:03 and last updated on 18/07/2018 23:51:41. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
