Evening primrose oil has been found to be very beneficial for a number of different conditions, like eczema, premenstrual syndrome, and headaches. It is also thought that the supplement may aid in cardiovascular health, and may even help with weight loss. Some herbalists believe that the benefits of evening primrose oil are so numerous that it ought to be taken as a daily supplement. The oil is derived from the seeds of the evening primrose, which is also known as Oenothera biennis.
Although the evening primrose plant species is native Central America, it spread to North and South America. The plant was introduced into Europe in the 16th century. It is a biennial plant with yellow flowers. Biennial plants bloom in their second year and then die off. Once the plant goes to seed, the seeds are gathered and are pressed for their highly prized oil.
The oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is an essential fatty acid, and linoleic acid (LA). These fatty acids belong to the omega-6 fatty acid group. Many vegetable oils contain omega-6 fatty acids, but they do not contain GLA.
One of the benefits of evening primrose oil is that it is believed that the GLA may help relieve menstrual cramps for women. It may also help with premenstrual symptoms, like breast tenderness, carbohydrate cravings, and irritable bowel syndrome. The oil is used in the United Kingdom as a treatment for breast pain. It is also thought to be helpful for women who are suffering from hot flashes due to the onset of menopause.
People with skin ailments are also said to know the benefits of evening primrose oil. For eczema sufferers, the fatty acids are thought to help maintain healthy tissues and reduce symptoms like scaling, redness, and itching. The oil may also help people who have the type of acne in which the skin produces excess sebum, which is a thick and very oily substance that can clog pores, by reducing the amount secreted. It may also be helpful for allergy symptoms that affect the skin, like hives and rashes.
Some herbalists recommend keeping evening primrose capsules on hand to take in case a patient has a headache or hangover. The plant has become an important part of the herbal pharmacopoeia arsenal, and some advocates have a very lengthy list of benefits of evening primrose oil — so much so, in fact, that they refer to the herb as a one of the greatest preventive discoveries. It has not been clinically proven, however, that the plant is truly effective for medicinal uses, like for breast pain, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. It is worth noting that it has no known negative effects and, when taken at the recommended dosage, users may experience for themselves the benefits of evening primrose oil.
