There are several studies of evening primrose oil taken by mouth for eczema. Large well-designed studies are needed before a strong recommendation can be made. Evening primrose oil is approved for skin disorders in several countries outside of the United States. B
Breast cancer
Not enough information is available to advise the use of evening primrose oil for breast cancer. Breast cysts
The limited available research does not demonstrate that evening primrose oil has a significant effect on treating breast cysts. C
Breast pain (mastalgia)
Although evening primrose oil is used for breast pain in several European countries, high-quality human studies using this treatment are lacking. Bronchitis
There is evidence that primrose oil, in combination with thyme, may have some benefits in the treatment of acute bronchitis. More studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of primrose oil alone as a therapy for bronchitis. C
Chronic fatigue syndrome/post-viral infection symptoms
Not enough information is available to advise the use of evening primrose oil for symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome or fatigue following a viral infection. C
Diabetes
A small number of laboratory studies and theory suggests that evening primrose oil may be helpful in diabetes, but more information is needed before a firm recommendation can be made. C
Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage)
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), one of the components of evening primrose oil, may be helpful in people with diabetic neuropathy. It is theorized that primrose oil may be helpful in patients with MS based on laboratory studies. Limited evidence is available in humans. C
Obesity/weight loss
Initial human study is unclear about the effects that evening primrose oil may have on weight loss. C
Osteoporosis
Primrose oil has been suggested as a possible treatment for bone loss/osteoporosis. However, osteoporosis studies using primrose oil as a treatment are lacking. Well-designed human trials are needed before primrose oil can be recommended for osteoporosis therapy. C
Pre-eclampsia/high blood pressure of pregnancy
Raynaud's phenomenon
Not enough scientific information is available to advise the use of evening primrose oil for Raynaud's phenomenon. C
Rheumatoid arthritis
Benefits of evening primrose oil in the treatment of arthritis have not clearly been shown. Not enough scientific information is available to advise the use of evening primrose oil for dry skin. C
Asthma
Available evidence does not support the use of evening primrose oil as a treatment for asthma. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Small human studies show a lack of benefit from evening primrose oil in ADHD. Cardiovascular health
Early study of evening primrose oil shows a lack of beneficial effects on cardiovascular function and health. D
Menopause (flushing/bone metabolism)
Available studies do not show evening primrose oil to be helpful with these potential complications of menopause. More evidence of effectiveness is needed before primrose can be recommended as a treatment for menopausal symptoms. D
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
Small human studies do not report that evening primrose oil is helpful for the symptoms of PMS. D
Psoriasis
Initial research does not show a benefit from evening primrose oil in the treatment of psoriasis. D
Schizophrenia
Results from studies of mixed quality do not support the use of evening primrose oil for schizophrenia. A: Strong scientific evidence for this use;
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use;
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use..
evening-primrose-oil-plant-description
