Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is also known for its other names as the fever plant, king’s cure-all, scabish, sun drop, and the night willow herb. Evening primrose is a flowering plant native to North America but grows in European countries and some parts in the southern hemisphere. After the discovery of Vitamin C, it is said that the next breakthrough to preventive medicine is this herbal plant. Evening primrose is available as an oil and is currently being studied for its numerous health benefits and healing properties. Evening primrose oil is rich in the essential fatty acid (EFA) Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and is the basic constituent for its preventive and curative abilities. EFAs promote growth and development in humans and are usually found in varying quantities in food sources.
Evening primrose has anti-aggregatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-atherogenic properties. Because of these abilities, evening primrose is now manufactured as herbal supplement to supply adequate amounts of GLA and to improve symptoms of many health problems. Evening primrose oil is a known alternative medicine for an impressive list of health conditions including heart diseases, alcoholism, diseases related to old age, acne, psoriasis, hyperactivity in children, eczema, obesity, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, endometriosis, pre-menstrual syndrome, menopausal symptoms, asthma, high cholesterol levels, breast pain, and many more.
Evening Primrose Benefits
- Nourishing the nails, scalp, and hair. GLA in evening primrose promotes healthy nails and prevents cracking. It also nurtures the hair and scalp and can be a potential treatment for hair and scalp problems.
- Preventing acne and comedones. Evening primrose dilutes the oil or sebum secreted by glands that causes acne and comedones.
- Relieving discomforts of PMS and menstruation. Evening primrose interferes with the production of prostaglandins that causes menstrual cramps. It also reduces food cravings, bloating, irritable bowel, and breast tenderness by supplying GLA which are notably low in women suffering these pre-menstrual and menstrual symptoms.
- Alleviating pain and inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The anti-inflammatory ability of evening primrose is useful in combating the signs of this crippling disease.
- Helping in weight control especially those who are 10 percent or more over their ideal body weight. Those with less EFAs like GLA are very prone to having more fat to their bodies and thus, supplying sufficient EFAs controls weight. It also promotes weight loss by boosting the metabolism and helping the body burn fat more effectively.
- Lowering blood sugar levels and regulating blood pressure.
- Reducing the withdrawal symptoms in alcoholics. GLA stimulates the production of prostaglandin E that acts to prevent depression and seizures in long term alcoholics.
Evening Primrose Side Effects
Evening primrose has very limited side effects. Reported evening primrose side effects include bloating and stomach upset. Evening primrose supplements are not advised to be taken by people with epilepsy and seizure disorder, bleeding and clotting problems, schizophrenia, pre-surgery, and known allergies to evening primrose and its derivatives. Like other herbal supplement, evening primrose supplements are best taken under your doctor’s supervision.
