PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Oxlip (Primula elatior) is a medicinal plant used in herbal preparations for its antioxidant and expectorant activities [PMID:28835753].
Background
Primula elatior, also known as oxlip, is a common forest herbaceous plant [PMID:28547265]. It is a distylous perennial herb [PMID:21642192] and is considered a traditional medicinal plant [PMID:22643289].
Traditional uses
It is used for the production of herbal teas and preparations with antioxidant and expectorant activity [PMID:28835753]. In Danish folk medicine, it has been used to treat epilepsy and convulsions or for inducing sedation [PMID:16293381].
Active compounds
The plant contains flavonoids, specifically rutoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside in the flowers, and hyperoside exclusively in the flowers [PMID:28835753]. Phenolic glycosides (primverin and primulaverin) are found in the roots [PMID:28835753, PMID:16297921]. It also contains saponins, including the triterpenoid saponin protoprimuloside B in the roots of subsp. meyeri [PMID:16297921, PMID:11783589]. Additionally, the contact allergen primin and other quinoid compounds have been detected [PMID:686814].
Mechanism of action
Ethanolic extracts of leaves exhibit dose-dependent affinity to the GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor [PMID:16293381].
Clinical evidence
Evidence CAcute, uncomplicated respiratory tract infections (URTI)
A combination of ivy (Hedera helix L.), primrose (Primula veris L./Primula elatior L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L./Thymus zygis L.) has promising clinical effects, although mechanistic evidence is lacking [PMID:37765014].
Safety & adverse effects
The plant contains primin, a strong contact allergen that may be responsible for contact dermatitis [PMID:686814].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of phytochemical analyses and botanical studies, with limited review-level data on clinical use for respiratory infections and a single pharmacological screening for GABA receptor affinity.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 37765014 (2023) — Mechanistic Evidence of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees, Pelargonium sidoides DC., Echinacea Species and a Combination of Hedera helix L., Primula veris L./Primula elatior L. and Thymus vulgaris L./Thymus zygis L. in the Treatment of Acute, Uncomplicated Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Literature Review and Expert Interviews. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
- 2.PMID: 28835753 (2017) — Phenolics in Primula veris L. and P. elatior (L.) Hill Raw Materials. · International journal of analytical chemistry
- 3.PMID: 16297921 (2006) — Analysis of phenolic glycosides and saponins in Primula elatior and Primula veris (primula root) by liquid chromatography, evaporative light scattering detection and mass spectrometry. · Journal of chromatography. A
- 4.PMID: 11783589 (2001) — Triterpenoid saponin from Primula elatior subsp. meyeri. · Journal of Asian natural products research
- 5.PMID: 22643289