Evening Primrose Oil

Species name:  Oenothera biennis.

Evening primrose oil is steam distilled from the seeds of the Onagraceae family of plants native to North and South America. 

Evening primrose oil has multiple medicinal and therapeutic characteristics, and has been used to promote good health for hundreds of years. 

Primrose roots have a peppery taste, and are eaten by many people. Primrose shoots are often prepared like salads.

The whole plant is believed to provide a wide range of healing powers. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is an Omega 6 essential fatty acid that is rare and very good for you.

Home Remedies using Evening Primrose Essential Oil:

Benefits of Evening Primrose Essential Oil:

Humans don’t produce essential fatty acids, and have to get them from food sources. Some of the things for which evening primrose oil is used for include:

• Eczema
• Mastitis, breast cysts (such as fibrocystic breast disease) and breast cancer.
• Symptoms such as chronic fatigue syndrome, that occur after a viral infection.
• Diabetes
• Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Pre-eclampsia

The claims of health benefits attributable to the use of evening primrose oil are based on long term use of the essential oil in traditional methods of use.

Evening primrose essential oil is believed by many to cure, treat, or even be effective as a preventative against such devastating disorders as rheumatoid arthritis, menopausal symptoms, menstrual cycle complications, and eczema, and related skin conditions. 

Some even believe evening primrose oil can lower bad cholesterol, and help diabetics by healing neural pathways and curing or preventing diabetic neuropathy, an often disabling complication related to diabetes.

Oil from the seed of the evening primrose, a small, yellow flower that grows wild, is rich in essential fatty acids. Evening primrose oil also contains gamma-linolenic acid. 

You don’t have to consume GLA in the diet, because your body turns linoleic acid into GLA, and converts it to maintain health.

Evening primrose essential oil is a good carrier oil.  It is available as a capsule that contains concentrated essential oil of primrose.

Side Effects of Evening Primrose Essential Oil:

Evening primrose oil, especially in vapor or topical applications, has been known to cause headaches and rashes, and should not be used during pregnancy.