Daffodils, used for centuries in traditional and folk medicine, could be an unexpected ally in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease. These bright spring blooms are more than just a feast for the eyes – they harbour galantamine in their bulbs and leaves.
This compound has shown promise in slowing the progression of early-stage Alzheimer’s in recent studies by preserving a neurotransmitter essential for memory and learning, which would otherwise succumb to the neurodegenerative disease.
The medical potential of daffodils was first revealed in 1995 when a study published in New Scientist reported varying responses to galantamine, with some patients experiencing side effects, while “other patients show a significant improvement in several measures of brain function used to assess the progress of Alzheimer’s”.
However, it’s the Welsh daffodils that have recently been highlighted for their contribution to Alzheimer’s treatment.
Due to what is known as the Black Mountain effect, daffodils grown on the Black Mountain in Powys at an altitude of 1,000 feet boast significantly higher levels of galantamine.
This is thought to be a result of the tougher growing conditions, prompting the flowers to produce more of this compound that protects them. Currently, galantamine can be obtained through two methods: an expensive synthetic process, or extraction from daffodils.
Since 2008, former sheep farmer Kevin Stephens has been cultivating these special daffodils in the Black Mountains, providing pharmaceutical companies with a natural source of this valuable substance.
In 2019, Stephens said: “It’s amazing to think that the Welsh national emblem, the humble daffodil, has the potential to improve the lives of Alzheimer’s patients across the world. While providing an economic future for hill farmers and their families across Wales.”
However, the difficulty comes in sourcing sufficient quantities, as it requires 100 daffodils to produce a one-year supply of medication for just one patient. High doses can also cause potential side effects like nausea.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is on the trail of daffodils, with the flowers typically starting to appear in February. It is urging plant lovers throughout the UK to engage in its search by using the ‘Daffodil Diaries’ project to record sightings of the blossoms.
The RHS is particularly intent on finding three uncommon types of daffodil: the pink ‘Mrs RO Backhouse’, white double-flowered ‘Mrs William Copeland’, and the yellow and orange ‘Sussex bonfire’ variants according to the Guardian.