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).
Is It Effective?
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.
- 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.
- 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.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of cowslip for these uses.
Is it Safe?
Cowslip contains chemicals that might thin and loosen mucus.
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.
It is not known if Cowslip interacts with any medicines. Before taking Cowslip, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
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.
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