Evening primrose oil (EPO)

Evening primrose, a small yellow wildflower (Oenothera biennis), has been used medicinally for centuries. The oil, pressed from the seed, is rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid (EFA). Essential means that we have to consume the nutrient because the body does not produce it. Fortunately, omega-6 essential fatty acid (EFA) are plentiful in foods, notably nuts and seeds. Evening primrose oil (EPO) may have anti-inflammatory and anti thrombotic activities. Evening primrose oil has been studied in a wide variety of disorders, particularly those affected by metabolic products of essential fatty acids. Evening primrose oil (EPO) appears to be effective in some cases of rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been found to be indicated in some other inflammatory disorders, such as Sjogren's syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Diabetic neuropathy, osteoporosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), hypertension and elevated serum lipids appear to be some other uses.

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Evening primrose oil and black currant oil are natural sources of a fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), not easily obtained in ordinary diets. As with many herb preparations, it requires several weeks to as much as eight weeks to produce positive results.

Supplementation with evening primrose oil may help people with these conditions: premenstrual syndrome, diabetes, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, eczema, and other skin conditions. Aging, glucose intolerance, high dietary fat intake, and other problems may cause at least partially gamma linolenic acid-deficiency.

Evening primrose oil may help to relieve pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), symptoms of menopause, and breast pain due to hormonal changes during menstruation. In Europe Evening Primrose Oil has been popular for years for this reason; many American women are beginning to use it for this reason as well. Supplementary gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), such as is supplied by evening primrose oil, appears to relieve some pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) sufferers often are found to have low levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in their bodies, which is why medical professionals think Evening Primrose Oil can help so much. Evening Primrose Oil may also reduce premenstrual breast tenderness, carbohydrate cravings and irritable bowel flare-ups.

The anti-inflammatory properties of Evening Primrose Oil may provide significant benefit to rheumatoid arthritis the kind that produces inflamed joints. There is some preliminary evidence that it may help, and the Arthritis Foundation considers it worth trying for rheumatoid arthritis. But you should talk to your doctor first. Fish oil supplements are another option.

Evening primrose oil supplementation reduced the sensitivity of skin to radiation induced moist desquamation but did not alter tumour sensitivity to radiation. Both oral and topical forms of evening primrose oil have also been studied for treating acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. When used as a topical application on the skin, evening primrose oil has moisturizing and softening effects.

Moreover, intake of evening primrose oil may lead to symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy High cholesterol: Although fish oils and flax oil have received considerable attention for their role in reducing heart disease due to their effects on blood lipids and blood pressure,  Again, we would be wise not to forget about the potential of evening primrose oil in this regard. In a study combining evening primrose oil and fish oil supplementation, blood pressure was significantly lowered when compared to evening primrose oil plus sunflower and evening primrose oil plus flax oil.