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Herb
Information |
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| Oenothffa
bionnis |
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| Name |
| Evening Primrose |
| Biological
Name |
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Oenothffa bionnis
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| Other Names |
| Evening Primrose, common evening primrose,
fever plant, field primrose, king's cureall, night willow-herb, scabish,
scurvish, tree primrose, primrose |
| Parts Used |
| The plant |
| Active Compounds |
| 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.
Linoleic acid, a common fatty acid found in nuts, seeds, and most
vegetable oils (including EPO), should theoretically convert 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. Supplements that provide GLA circumvent these conversion
problems, leading to more predictable formation of PGE1. Those with
premenstrual syndrome, diabetes, and eczema can have a metabolic
block that interferes with the body? ability to make GLA. Many people
in Western societies may be at least partially GLA deficient as
a result of aging, glucose intolerance, dietary fat intake, and
other problems. Individuals with deficiencies benefit from supplemental
GLA intake from evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil, or
borage oil.
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| Remedies
For |
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Astringent, mucilaginous.
Traditionally evening primrose had been used as a soothing remedy
for coughs associated with colds. It has also been used for mental
depression, its effectiveness perhaps due to a stimulating effect
on the liver, spleen, and digestive apparatus. It can also be made
into an ointment useful for rashes and other skin irritations. The
entire plant is edible.
Evening Primrose Oil is useful for the treatment of:
Atherosclerosis
Attention Deficit Disorder
Diabetes
Eczema
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Raynaud? Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
High Blood Pressure
Schizophrenia and PMS:
Studies have shown that about seven 500 mg. capsules of evening
primrose oil daily in conjunction with vitamins B-3, B-6, C and
zinc achieve remarkable results in the treatment of schizophrenia
or premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS symptom severities, especially
depression, were relieved a lot more with the oil than with the
placebo. Up to six capsules per day appear to give significant therapeutic
benefits.
Blood Pressure:
In two separate Canadian studies using animals, the main constituent
in evening primrose, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and the plant oil
(EVO) itself, significantly reduced blood pressure. In the first
study, the GLA greatly strengthened the heart's response to chronic
stress, while in the second a general lowering of blood pressure
was observed. Recommendation was to take about 4 capsules of primrose
oil per day for hypertension, along with increased potassium intake
(750 mg.).
Relief for Chronic Disorders:
South African scientists proposed that coronary artery disease,
hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, allergic eczema and other atopic
conditions, cancer, premature aging, and chronic inflammatory and
auto- immune disorders are related to an imbalance of fatty acids
in the body. Deficiencies of GLA and another important fatty acid
found in fish oils may result in the metabolic blockage of a key
enzyme. They suggested that an oil of evening primrose supplement
is one good means of getting around this blockage and possibly preventing
and treating many chronic disorders as well. Recommended intake
is 2 capsules twice daily, in the morning and again in the mid-afternoon
for optimal health.
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| Description |
| Evening primrose is a coarse, annual or
biennial plant found in dry meadows and waste places and along roadsides
east of the Rockies to the Atlantic. The stem is erect, stout, and
soft-hairy, with alternate, rough-hairy, lanceolate, taper-pointed
leaves about 3 to 6 inches long. The yellow, lemon-scented flowers,
1 to 2-1/2 inches across, open at dusk and grow in spikes from June
to October. The fruit is an oblong, hairy capsule. |
| Dosage |
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Infusion: Use 1 tsp. of the plant with I cup of water. Take 1
cup a day, a mouthful at a time.
Tincture: Take 5 to 40 drops, as needed.
Researchers often use 3,000-6,000 mg of evening primrose oil per
day, which provides approximately 270-360 mg of GLA.
See specific recommendations above.
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| Safety |
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Consistent, reproducible problems from taking evening primrose
oil have not been reported.
Other nutrients are needed by the body, along with evening primrose
oil, to make PGE1. Consequently, some experts suggest that magnesium,
zinc, vitamin C, niacin, and vitamin B6 should be taken along with
evening primrose oil.
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Medicinal
Plants
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Plants A - L |
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