Daffodil season has arrived in Scotland and this year the flower is offering more than picturesque spring views.
Organisers at this weekend’s National Daffodil Festival in Fife have revealed the plant offers plenty of health benefits too.
The collection of more than 20,000 bulb flowers can be found at the Backhouse Rossie Estate, which overlooks the Lomond Hills.
Festival boss Caroline Thomson said chemical compounds from the flower are being used to extract ingredients for drugs to treat Alzheimer’s and certain types of brain cancer.
It has also been revealed that it is being used in trials to help treat cases of long Covid.
Ms Thomson told STV News: “The chemical compounds found in narcissus, particularly this yellow Uncle Carlton, are currently being used to extract galantamine, which forms the basis of a very successful drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
“Chemical compounds are also being extracted from narcissus to treat certain types of brain cancer and in trials for long Covid, which is very current and really important right now.”
The National Daffodil Festival, kicks off on Saturday, April 8 and is set to last two days.
Ms Thomson added: “Spring’s arrived, the earth’s warming up and summer is going to be coming on the way.
“Full of families, there’s a woodland walk with daffodils lining the pathways and a quiz for children and an Easter egg to be won.”
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