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The sophisticated seed
The seeds of evening primrose, a plant native to North America, are valuable for their high content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is a fatty acid, essential for our health, which cannot be made by our bodies. GLA supports the function of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that helps reduce inflammation and facilitate proper blood flow.
Evening primose oil has been touted as helpful for everything from PMS to rheumatism to multiple sclerosis. While these specific claims require more research to back them up, the rationale behind them is valid. We need effective prostaglandin production in order to be healthy. While not the "king's cure-all" it was once believed to be, evening primrose could help alleviate some common health problems.
Quick Facts About Evening Primose:
- Native Americans use evening primrose oil to treat asthma, stomach problems, bumps and bruises.
- In addition to its effect on prostaglandins, evening primrose may also have anti-inflammatory actions, which could be beneficial in treating arthritis.
- Research on evening primrose taken with vitamins B-3, B-6, C, and zinc has shown some positive results in treating patients with schizophrenia.
- Studies have shown that evening primrose can help lower blood cholesterol.
- Evening primrose cream makes a good moisturizer.
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How Evening Primrose Can Work Best for You:
- The benefits of evening primrose may not be noticed until it has been taken regularly for at least a month.
- Some evening primrose products on the market may be "rounded out" with less expensive oils, such as soy or safflower. Read the labels carefully.
- Evening primrose oil can decompose, so store it properly and keep supplies fresh.
Product Forms Available:
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Evening primrose is comprised of linoleic acid (65-85%), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) (8-14%), oleic acid (6-11%), palmitic aicd (7%), and stearic acid (2%). It also contains octadecatrienoic acid, steroids, campesterol, and beta-siteosterol.
The most active ingredient of evening primrose is gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). It is responsible for most of the benefits claimed by advocates of this herb.
Evening primrose oil may be combined in packaging with vitamin E as a preservative to prevent oxidation from occurring.
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Evening Primrose appears to have a variety of uses. The main ingredient of this herb, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), aids in the production of prostaglandins, hormones that affect your body's hormonal balance. Thus, evening primrose may be useful in conditions that have pronounced symptoms when there is a deficiency of GLA. Some of these conditions include:
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Mastalgia (pain in the breast)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
Because evening primrose contains essential fatty acids (EFA), you may find this supplement useful in combating cardiovascular disease, obesity, high levels of blood cholesterol, and high blood pressure. The EFAs in evening primrose may have an anti-clotting effect. This supplement may help you:
- Lower your blood cholesterol level
- Lower your blood pressure
- Prevent cardiovascular disease and strokes
Cosmetic Use
You may use evening primrose oil cosmetically. Because it has a high level of polyunsaturated fats, it may be effective in nourishing, moisturizing, and restructuring your skin. It also has an anti-aging effect. Advocates of this supplement recommend it for revitalizing and rehydrating your skin or just maintaining healthy skin. It may even be used to treat skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Evening primrose may also be useful to strengthen your nails. Often, evening primrose oil can be found in moisturizing creams, anti-aging creams, lip balms, and nail products.
When Taken Regularly, Evening Primrose May Help:
- Reduce premenstrual syndrome
- Treat arthritis
- Soothe dry eyes
- Ease symptoms of multiple sclerosis
- Lower high blood pressure
- Relieve eczema, dermatitis, and itching
- Relieve breast tenderness
- Improve psychiatric syndromes/Alzheimers
- Prevent coronary heart disease
- Treat diabetes-related problems
- Lower high cholesterol levels
- Prevent cancer
- Prevent premature aging
- Relieve chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders
- Improve tearflow in sufferers of Sj?gren's syndrome
- Alcohol withdrawal/liver function
Storage
Keep evening primrose supplements in a cool, dry place. This herb should be kept away from light and heat.
Dosage and Administration
The dosage of evening primrose varies among individuals and from problem to problem.
The usual dosage ranges from 3-12 500-mg capsules or tablets per day.
If you are taking evening primrose oil to treat PMS, it is recommended that you administer it two to three days before the symptoms usually appear until menstruation occurs.
Sometimes, dishes are prepared with evening primrose flowers.
You probably won't notice any effects of this herb right away. You have to take evening primrose regularly for approximately a month before its benefits are apparent.
When you start using this supplement, begin with small amounts and slowly progress to larger dosages.
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Warnings
If you have schizophrenia or epilepsy, check with your physician before taking evening primrose oil.
If you want to administer evening primrose to children, talk to your doctor or pediatrician before doing so.
Start with small amounts of evening primrose supplements. If you administer too much too quickly, you may experience mild side effects such as headaches, skin rashes, and nausea.
Side Effects
You may feel some slight side effects from using evening primrose, including headaches, skin rashes, or nausea. If these symptoms occur, either discontinue use or decrease your dosage. Notify your doctor if these symptoms persist.
There have been no documented major adverse effects from using evening primrose supplements.
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Sources & Further Reading
Books
1. Balch, James, F., P.A. Balch. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Garden City Park, New York: Avery Publishing Group, 1997.
2. Duke, James A. The Green Pharmacy. New York: St. Martin's Paperbacks, 1997.
3. Facts and Comparisons: The Review of Natural Products. Facts and Comparisons, 1998.
4. Hoffman, David. The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal. New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc, 1996.
5. Lieberman, Shari, N. Bruning. The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book. Garden City Park, New York: Avery Publishing Group, 1997.
6. Murray, Michael. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996.
7. Tyler, Varro E. The Honest Herbal. Binghamton, New York: The Haworth Press, 1993.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
Articles
1. Berth-Jones J; Thompson J; Graham-Brown RA. "Evening primrose oil and atopic eczema". Lancet. 345(8948):520. Feb 25, 1995.
2. Cameron NE; Cotter MA. "Metabolic and vascular factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy". Diabetes. 46 Suppl 2:S31-7. Sep 1997.
3. Campbell EM; Peterkin D; O'Grady K; Sanson-Fisher R. "Premenstrual symptoms in general practice patients. Prevalence and treatment". J Reprod Med. 42(10):637-46. Oct 1997.
4. Chilton SA. "Cognitive behaviour therapy for the chronic fatigue syndrome. Evening primrose oil and magnesium have been shown to be effective". BMJ. 312(7038):1096; discussion 1098. Apr 27, 1996.
5. Goonaratna C. "Good morning, evening primrose oil". Ceylon Med J. 40(4):132-3. Dec 1995.
6. Hederos CA; Berg A. "Epogam evening primrose oil treatment in atopic dermatitis and asthma". Arch Dis Child. 75(6):494-7. Dec 1996.
7. Leichsenring M; Kochsiek U; Paul K. "(n-6)-Fatty acids in plasma lipids of children with atopic bronchial asthma". Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 6(4):209-12. Nov 1995.
8. Makrides M; Neumann MA; Simmer K; Gibson RA. "Erythrocyte fatty acids of term infants fed either breast milk, standard formula, or formula supplemented with long-chain polyunsaturates". Lipids. 30(10):941-8. Oct 1995.
9. Whitaker DK; Cilliers J; de Beer C. "Evening primrose oil (Epogam) in the treatment of chronic hand dermatitis: disappointing therapeutic results". Dermatology. 193(2):115-20. 1996.
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