Cowslip

Artetyke, arthritica, buckles, butter rose, crewel, drelip, fairy caps, herb peterpaigle, key flower, key of heaven, may blob, mayflower, Our Lady's keys, paigle, palsywort, password, peagles, peggie, petty mulleins, plumrocks, Primula veris, P.officinalis

The medicinal parts of the cowslip are derived from the roots and flowers of Primula veris. Cowslip contains flavonoids, saponin glycosides, and volatile oil, which may be responsible for its ability to inhibit or dry secretions. It's available as dried flowers and roots, liquid extract, and tea.

Reported uses

Cowslip is used to treat asthma, cardiac insufficiency, dizziness, gout, headache, nervous diseases, neuralgia, tremors, and whooping cough and to inhibit or dry secretions. It's also used as an antispasmodic, diuretic, expectorant, hypnotic, and sedative.

Administration

Dosage of cowslip varies with the herb form.

Hazards

Adverse effects associated with the use of cowslip include heart dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irritation of the digestive tract, destruction of red blood cells, liver damage, and allergic reaction.

Cowslip may potentiate the effects of antihypertensives and sedatives. It may potentiate electrolyte depletion when used with diuretics.

Patients with an allergy to cowslip or any other member of the primrose family, such as primrose, Anagallis arvensis, yellow loosestrife, moneywort, water violet, and cyclamen should avoid use. Pregnant and breast-feeding patients should also avoid use.

Clinical considerations

• Internal use isn't recommended beause of cowslip's toxic effects.
• If patient is also taking a diuretic, monitor serum electrolyte levels.
• If patient is using cowslip externally, monitor for irritation to the skin and mucous membranes.
• If overdose occurs, perform gastric lavage, and then administer activated charcoal. Provide symptomatic and supportive measures.
• Warn patient not to delay seeking appropriate medical evaluation because doing so may delay diagnosis of a potentially serious medical condition.
• If patient is pregnant or breast-feeding or is taking a blood pressure drug or a diuretic, advise against using cowslip.
• Instruct patient to promptly report adverse reactions and new signs or symptoms.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

The concepts behind the use of cowslip and the claims made regarding its effects have not yet been validated scientifically.