Primrose – Pretty Little Plant with a Powerful Medicinal Punch [1]

Along with its calming effect, primrose was a common remedy for gout, paralysis and muscular rheumatism in the earliest days of medicine. Pliny himself often wrote of the power of the primrose to cure such ailments.

The plant contains salicylates, which are a main ingredient of aspirin and have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Often an infusion of the root, which should be harvested after two or three years, can be a natural option for headache relief, cough and other bronchial problems.

The seeds of the evening primrose have often been touted for their anti-inflammatory effect as well. The seed oil in particular is high in fatty acids and has been used in the treatment of PMS symptoms, arthritis and the skin condition eczema.

While minimal research has been performed, one study [2] concluded that the gamma linolenic acid in primrose seed oil does aid in battling the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aftere a review of over 30 human-based studies, evening primrose oil was found by researchers to be an effective treatment for multiple skin conditions including eczema and dermatitis when applied topically.

More on: thealternativedaily.com [3]