Evening Primrose Oil:
What is it?
Evening primrose oil (EPO), comes from the seeds of the evening
primrose plant. Like black currant seed oil and borage oil, EPO
contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that the body
converts to a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin E1 (PGE1
An old Native American herb. The evening primrose grows like a
weed. Not really a primrose, it is sometimes called "sun drop." The
large yellow flower opens late in the day and last only one evening,
then produces lots of small seeds. Presumably, these seeds were
carried to Europe early in the history of colonization of North America
because evening primrose now grows wild in many parts of the
continent.
The oil of evening primrose has a high content of gammalinolenic
acid (GLA), which is converted by your body into prostaglandins
(fatty acids that act a lot like hormones) producing a wide range of
effects on your body. It supplies many essential fatty acids the body
needs to maintain optimal health. Essential fatty acids are as
important to good health as vitamins and minerals. Studies show that
evening primrose oil might help lower blood cholesterol, can reduce
the discomfort associated with premenstrual syndrome, is used to
treat eczema and is a traditional remedy for arthritis. Evening
primrose oil may even correct the body's imbalances that cause
mood swings, irritability and breast tenderness. The strongest
evidence for efficacy is in the treatment of atopic dermatitis when the
skin is itchy, red, scaly, dry, and inflamed.
Evening primrose to be used for herbal medicines is commercially cultivated and carefully bred to yield constant levels of the
essential fatty acids in the seeds. Growers in the United States and Canada alone produce three hundred to four hundred
tons of seeds each year. Oil from the seeds is the only part of the plant currently used. Approximately 70 percent of the oil is
cis-linoleic acid, and as much as 9 percent cis-gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which is a rare find in plants.
Most over-the-counter pain relievers and many prescription arthritis medicines work primarily by blocking prostaglandin
synthesis, however prostaglandins play an important role in many biochemical reactions. Evening primrose oil is available in
500-mg capsules. Most of the clinical trials have utilized doses of one or two capsules two or three times a day, with the
maximum adult dose of 4 g daily. Up to three months may be needed to see a response in some conditions. Usual dosage is
around 500-1,000 mg a day.
PRECAUTIONS: If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor before using this product: psychiatric
disorder (schizophrenia). Liquid preparations of this product may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have
diabetes, alcohol dependence or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of this product. This product
is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this product. Because of the potential risk to
the infant, breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
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