Wild primrose, Primula vulgaris
The flowers are eaten raw or cooked. They make an attractive garnish to salads, and can also be used as a cooked vegetable or in conserves etc.
Picked when first opened, the flowers are fermented with water and sugar to make a very pleasant and intoxicating wine.
Both the flowers and the leaves can be made into a syrup or a tea.
Primroses have a very long history of medicinal use and has been particularly employed in treating conditions involving spasms, cramps, paralysis and rheumatic pains. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant women, patients who are sensitive to aspirin, or those taking anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin.
An infusion of the roots is a good remedy against nervous headaches. The roots are harvested in the autumn when two or three years old and dried for later use.
An ointment has been made from the plant and used for treating skin wounds.
Makes a good carpet in open woodland and on woodland edges. Plants are best spaced about 35 cm apart each way.
It is often added to hair lotions and is said to prevent premature baldness.
The leaves are burnt as an incense, fumigant and disinfectant.
A yellow-green dye is obtained from the leaves and flowers.
A good bee plant, producing pollen early in the year.