Cowslips (Primula veris) are low growing plants with yellow flowers from the Primrose Genus. They grow in marshy or wet areas, often along small streambeds and are one of the first plants to bloom early in the spring. Also called marsh marigolds, the cowslip name reportedly originated from the plants growing in rocky streams in cow pastures. When cows crossed the stream and smashed the flowers into the rocks it became very slippery, causing the cows to slip on the rocks, hence the name "cowslips".
Young Cowslip leaves were at one time eaten in country salads and mixed with other herbs to stuff meat, whilst the flowers were made into a delicate conserve.
Cowslip salad from the petals, with white sugar, is said to make an excellent and refreshing dish.
In olden days, Cowslip flowers were ingreat request for homely remedies, their special value Iying in strengthening the nerves and the brain, and relieving restlessness and insomnia.
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