What's Evening Primrose Oil Made Of?
Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis L.)
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL
Background
disorders, particularly those affected by metabolic products of essential fatty acids. Synonyms
Bronchipret TP FCT, Echte Nachtkerze, Evening primrose oil EPO, fever plant, gamma-linolenic acid, herbe aux anes, Huile D'Onagre, kaempe natlys, king's cureall, la belle de nuit, linoleic acid, nachtkerzenol, night willow-herb, Oenothera communis Leveill, Oenothera graveolens Gilib, omega-6 essential fatty acid, Onagra biennis Scop, Onogra vulgaris , onagre bisannuelle, primrose, primrose oil, scabish, Spach, stella di sera, sun drop, Teunisbloem.
Evidence
a qualified healthcare provider.
Uses based on scientific evidence
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
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
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.
Breast pain (mastalgia)
Although primrose oil is used for breast pain in several European countries, high-quality human studies using this treatment are lacking. Therefore, the available information does not allow recommendation for or against the use of primrose oil in this condition.
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.
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.
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
Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage)
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), one of the components of evening primrose oil, may be helpful in people with diabetic neuropathy. Additional studies are needed before a strong
It is theorized that primrose oil may be helpful in patients with MS based on laboratory studies. Limited evidence is available in humans.
Obesity/weight loss
Initial human study is unclear about the effects that evening primrose oil may have on weight loss.
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.
Pre-eclampsia/high blood pressure of pregnancy
Evening primrose oil is proposed to have effects on chemicals in the blood called prostaglandins, which may play a role in pre-eclampsia. conclusion can be drawn.
Raynaud's phenomenon
Not enough scientific information is available to advise the use of evening primrose oil for Raynaud's phenomenon.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Benefits of evening primrose oil in the treatment of arthritis have not clearly been shown. Scale-like dry skin (ichthyosis vulgaris)
Not enough scientific information is available to advise the use of evening primrose oil for dry skin.
Asthma
Available evidence does not support the use of evening primrose oil as a treatment for asthma. Further research is needed to confirm this conclusion.
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.
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
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
Small human studies do not report that evening primrose oil is helpful for the symptoms of PMS.
Psoriasis
Initial research does not show a benefit from evening primrose oil in the treatment of psoriasis.
Schizophrenia
Results from studies of mixed quality do not support the use of evening primrose oil for schizophrenia. study is merited.
Dosing
Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.
Studies in the treatment of eczema have used doses of 4 to 8 grams of evening primrose oil (EPO) daily, taken by mouth, divided into several smaller doses throughout the day. Studies
treating breast pain have used doses of 3 grams EPO daily, taken by mouth, divided into several smaller doses throughout the day.
Studies in children treated for skin conditions have used 3 grams of evening primrose oil daily, taken by mouth, divided into several smaller doses throughout the day. Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. You should always read product labels. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.
Allergies
Allergy or hypersensitivity to evening primrose oil has not been widely reported. Side Effects and Warnings
Several reports describe seizures in individuals taking evening primrose oil (EPO). Some of these seizures developed in people with a previous seizure disorder, or in individuals taking EPO in combination with anesthetics. Based on these reports, people with seizure disorders should not take EPO. Other reports describe occasional headache, abdominal pain, nausea, and loose stools in people taking EPO. In animal studies, gamma-linolenic acid (an ingredient of evening primrose oil) is reported to decrease blood pressure. Early results in human studies do not show consistent changes in blood pressure.
There is not enough information to recommend the safe use of evening primrose oil during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Evening primrose oil
evening-primrose-oil-prevent-diabetes
Evening Primrose Oil- Prevent diabetes-associated nerve damage
Evening Primrose Oil- Prevent diabetes-associated nerve damage
Research indicates that the GLA in evening primrose oil can help prevent, and in some cases even reverse, the nerve damage (neuropathy) so commonly seen with diabetes. In a year-long study, such symptoms as numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation in participants with mild diabetic neuropathy were less marked in those who took evening primrose oil than in those who took a placebo.
evening-primrose-oil-help-treat-acne
Research indicates that the GLA in evening primrose oil can help prevent, and in some cases even reverse, the nerve damage (neuropathy) so commonly seen with diabetes. In a year-long study, such symptoms as numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation in participants with mild diabetic neuropathy were less marked in those who took evening primrose oil than in those who took a placebo.
evening-primrose-oil-help-treat-acne
Evening Primrose Oil Help treat acne and rosacea
Evening Primrose Oil Help treat acne and rosacea
By working to dilute sebum, a thick oily substance that is oversecreted in some people with acne, the essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil may reduce the risk of pores becoming clogged and lesions developing. The oil's EFAs help treat rosacea by reducing inflammation, controlling cells' use of nutrients and by producing prostaglandins, which stimulate the contraction of blood vessels.
By working to dilute sebum, a thick oily substance that is oversecreted in some people with acne, the essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil may reduce the risk of pores becoming clogged and lesions developing. The oil's EFAs help treat rosacea by reducing inflammation, controlling cells' use of nutrients and by producing prostaglandins, which stimulate the contraction of blood vessels.
Evening primrose oil (EPO)
Evening Primrose Oil, what does it do?
Evening primrose oil (EPO), black currant seed oil, and
borage oil contain gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that the body
converts to a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). PGE1 has
anti-inflammatory properties and may also act as a blood thinner and blood
vessel dilator.
The anti-inflammatory properties of EPO have been studied in double-blind research with people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Some, but not all, studies have reported that EPO supplementation provides significant benefit to these people.
GLA, the primary active ingredient in EPO, has anticancer activity in test tube studies2 and in some,but not all,animal studies. Injecting GLA into tumors has caused regression of cancer in people in preliminary research. Very preliminary evidence in people with cancer suggested “marked subjective improvement,” though not all studies find GLA helpful.
EPO supplementation has been shown to improve skin itching, redness and dryness associated with kidney dialysis.
Linoleic acid, a common fatty acid found in nuts and seeds and most vegetable oils (including EPO), should theoretically be converted to PGE1. But many things can interfere with this conversion, including disease, the aging process, saturated fat, hydrogenated oils, blood sugar problems, and inadequate vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. provide GLA circumvent these conversion problems, leading to more predictable formation of PGE1
Where is Evening Primrose Oil found?
EPO is found primarily in supplements. Its presumed active ingredient, GLA, can also be found in black currant seed oil and borage oil supplements. Those with premenstrual syndrome,diabetes, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome,tardive dyskinesia,eczema, and other skin conditions can have a metabolic block that interferes with the body’s ability to make GLA. In preliminary research, supplementation with EPO has helped people with these conditions.
Many people in Western
societies may be at least partially GLA-deficient as a result of aging, glucose intolerance, high dietary fat intake, and other problems. People with deficiencies would presumably benefit from supplemental GLA intake from EPO, black currant seed oil, or borage oil.
Although many people may have inadequate levels of GLA, the optimal intake for this nutrient remains unknown. Researchers often use 3,000–6,000 mg of EPO per day, which provides approximately 270–540 mg of GLA.
Are there any side effects or interactions of Evening Primrose Oil?
Consequently, some experts suggest that magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, niacin, and vitamin B6 should be taken along with EPO.
Are there any drug interactions?
Certain medications may interact with evening primrose oil.
The anti-inflammatory properties of EPO have been studied in double-blind research with people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Some, but not all, studies have reported that EPO supplementation provides significant benefit to these people.
GLA, the primary active ingredient in EPO, has anticancer activity in test tube studies2 and in some,but not all,animal studies. Injecting GLA into tumors has caused regression of cancer in people in preliminary research. Very preliminary evidence in people with cancer suggested “marked subjective improvement,” though not all studies find GLA helpful.
EPO supplementation has been shown to improve skin itching, redness and dryness associated with kidney dialysis.
Linoleic acid, a common fatty acid found in nuts and seeds and most vegetable oils (including EPO), should theoretically be converted to PGE1. But many things can interfere with this conversion, including disease, the aging process, saturated fat, hydrogenated oils, blood sugar problems, and inadequate vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. provide GLA circumvent these conversion problems, leading to more predictable formation of PGE1
Where is Evening Primrose Oil found?
EPO is found primarily in supplements. Its presumed active ingredient, GLA, can also be found in black currant seed oil and borage oil supplements. Those with premenstrual syndrome,diabetes, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome,tardive dyskinesia,eczema, and other skin conditions can have a metabolic block that interferes with the body’s ability to make GLA. In preliminary research, supplementation with EPO has helped people with these conditions.
Many people in Western
societies may be at least partially GLA-deficient as a result of aging, glucose intolerance, high dietary fat intake, and other problems. People with deficiencies would presumably benefit from supplemental GLA intake from EPO, black currant seed oil, or borage oil.
Although many people may have inadequate levels of GLA, the optimal intake for this nutrient remains unknown. Researchers often use 3,000–6,000 mg of EPO per day, which provides approximately 270–540 mg of GLA.
Are there any side effects or interactions of Evening Primrose Oil?
Consequently, some experts suggest that magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, niacin, and vitamin B6 should be taken along with EPO.
Are there any drug interactions?
Certain medications may interact with evening primrose oil.
Evening Primrose Oil
What is Evening Primrose Oil?
Evening Primrose Oil, a natural source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), is well known for modifying the inflammatory response and maintaining hormonal balance. This versatile oil comes from the tiny seeds of a wildflower, Oenothera biennis L., native to North America, and has been studied for its positive influence on prostaglandin synthesis. GLA may also support the healthy growth and maintenance of skin, hair, and nails. Weil Evening Primrose Oil is encapsulated exclusively in vegetarian, liquid-filled capsules.
"Evening primrose oil is a natural source of a fatty acid called GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). Very hard to come by in the diet, GLA is an effective anti-inflammatory agent with none of the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. It also promotes healthy growth of skin, hair, and nails. I frequently suggest evening primrose oil for skin conditions (including brittle nails and hair), arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and premenstrual syndrome. Andrew Weil, M.D.
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