Some interesting facts about evening primrose
- Evening primrose is a flower with bowl shape which lasts for a single day only.
- In their lifespan, the flower changes its color from pale yellow to golden, pink, white, purple, and even red.
- The fruit obtained from the plant comes in a capsule which is filled with various elongated seeds. When it ripens, the capsule gets divided into four parts for releasing the seeds.
- The flowers of the evening primrose plant open in late afternoons and during sunrise they get closed again. Hence, they are known as evening primrose.
- The plant comes with a lemony odor. The seeds of the plant are essential food sources for the birds in the forest.
- Surprisingly, evening primrose is also consumed by human beings. The root of the plant is consumed as one of the root veggies and the leaves in the form of leafy veggies. And the flowers are widely used for decoration.
- The oil obtained from the seeds of evening primrose is rich in acids like gamma and beta linoleic which are essential for the health of human beings.
- Evening primrose contains herbal remedies to issues like eczema, menstrual disorders, stomach pain, sore throat, arthritis, and bruises.
Evening Primrose Oil – A Magical Herbal Oil
Evening primrose oil is one of the herbal oils extracted from the seeds of evening primrose. Native to South and North America, the plant is also widely grown in Asia and Europe too. The plant is also known for its herbal properties due to which hemorrhoids, bruises, sore throats, and digestive issues were traditionally treated. The oil obtained from the seeds come with healing benefits due to the presence of gamma-linolenic acid, a popular omega-6 acid obtained from the plants.
The evening primrose oil is much helpful for the myelin. It gives strong protection to the nerve fibers along with the neuronal cell membrane. The oil also provides polyphenols which are helpful for balancing the hormones as well as for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil is used for the treatment of various health issues like diabetes, acne, eczema, neuropathy, psoriasis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and premenstrual syndrome.
No doubt, evening primrose oil is not counted among the essential oils, it is still used orally for reaping maximum benefits.
Want to learn more about the health benefits of evening primrose oil? Keep reading further.
What are the health benefits of evening primrose oil?
Do you know, evening primrose oil was used for the treatment of breast pain and eczema since 1930! Yes, evening primrose oil can be compared with soybeans, vegetable oils, seeds, and walnuts as it provides fatty acids, GLA, which is beneficial for a number of health benefits.
Here are the health benefits of using evening primrose oil.
1. For easing menstruation issues
As mentioned above, evening primrose oil is much effective on various menstruation issues. It helps in reducing hot flashes that disturb at the time of suffering from menopause. It works on the reduced hormone levels named estradiol and helps the women in dealing with hot flashes by reducing its frequency. Again, the oil also reduces another premenstrual syndrome that results in bloating, irritability, depression, etc., and menstrual cramps to a great extent.
2. For reducing Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that affects the joints of the individual. This autoimmune arthritis condition causes pain in the joints. The evening primrose oil contains GLA which reduces the pain in the joints and also improves the functions or movements for people having mild and even moderate rheumatoid arthritis. The oil has proved to give effective results compared to other anti-inflammatory drugs in improving joint circulation and morning stiffness.
3. Heals Eczema
To your surprise, evening primrose oil is used since the 1980s for eczema treatment. The oil is used in the herbal treatment of skin issues like acne, psoriasis, and even eczema, particularly atopic eczema. The GLA levels present in the oil are helpful in healing the skin condition in an effective way. Again, the oil also provides amazing relief from cheilitis which is a condition caused due to inflammation and causes lip pain. Hence, the oil improves inflammatory skin conditions through its anti-inflammation properties.
4. Improves overall health of the skin
Yes, evening primrose oil is much support for improving the overall health of the skin. The oil contains GLA which an ideal ingredient for the skin functions and structure. It helps the skin with benefits like improving elasticity, firmness, moisture, and fatigue resistance. Hence, the oil when taken orally in the form of capsules helps with various skin benefits.
5. To cure osteoporosis
Osteoporosis or loss of minerals in bones is a condition that is widely faced by women post-menopause. And the best way to deal with osteoporosis is to increase the intake of unsaturated fats. Evening primrose oil is rich in unsaturated fats and is also effective in treating the bone loss observed in women having osteoporosis. When women are found consuming evening primrose oil have experienced an increase in femoral bone density which has proved to be helpful in curing osteoporosis.
6. Helps in diabetic neuropathy
In 1933, evening primrose oil was introduced for the treatment of DN, also known as diabetic neuropathy. The patients having diabetes and suffering from debilitating pain in the nerve are said to be having DN. The nerve pain is widely observed in the legs and feet. The oil helps with Vitamin E which helps in reducing the pain in the nerves. Using the oil orally every day is found effective in reducing the pain.
7. Improves the health of the heart
As mentioned above, evening primrose oil is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. The properties are much effective in reducing the cholesterol levels in the blood which is quite helpful for the health of the heart. Many people suffering from heart issues contain the inflammation and the oil reduces the inflammation levels which also reduces the chances of having heart issues.
8. Reduces breast pain
There are many women who suffer from breast pain during their menses. And this surely interferes with life. This oil serves with EPO which is helpful in reducing the inflammation along with inhibiting prostaglandins that result in cyclical breast pain. The intake of evening primrose oil has come up with a significant impact on reducing breast pain during menstruation.
Apart from all these, evening primrose oil is also helpful in reducing the blood pressure levels for pregnant women. The oil is also used to treat preeclampsia which is a dangerous condition during and after pregnancy in which the blood pressure level is too high. The oil is also quite effective in reducing the prolactin levels and preventing them from generating PMS.
What are the possible risks of using evening primrose oil?
Evening primrose oil is basically safe to use for nearly everyone for a short time span. However, there are some side effects that have been determined. Some of the mild side effects of using this oil include stomach pain, upset stomach, headache, and soft tools.
However, apart from these, other mild to severe allergic reactions include inflammation on feet and hands, breathing problems, and wheezing. For the people taking blood-thinning medications, the intake of evening primrose oil can increase the blood flow. Also, for the people on blood pressure medications, the oil can lead to a remarkable reduction in blood pressure levels.
No doubt, the use of evening primrose oil is safe during pregnancy, the daily dosage should be marked well as it can possibly delay the labor time. Hence, it is also recommended to avoid oil during the last months of pregnancy. When it comes to breastfeeding mothers, it is advisable to check with the doctor before taking it. The oil can also increase the chances of seizures along with serious vomiting and nausea for the people taking phenothiazines drug that is used for the treatment of psychotic disorders and schizophrenia.
Lastly, the intake of evening primrose oil should also be avoided prior to any surgery as it increases the chances of bleeding during the surgery or after the surgery.
Bottom Line
Lastly, going for the supplements of evening primrose oil is surely helpful for smoothing the skin and improving the moisture, elasticity, fatigue resistance, and firmness of the skin. The oil works in improving the epidermis of the skin, reducing the inflammation of the skin, as well as in the treatment of PMS like bloating, irritating, depression, etc. The oil also reduces hot flashes during menopause as well as reduces the chances of having high blood pressure at the time of pregnancy. The oil is hence quite beneficial for a number of health benefits.
Many times, the oil is also used as a complementary therapy to reduce various side effects. However, to avoid the side effects, it is advisable to go with small doses recommended by the doctor.
So, how are you thinking to begin with the oil? Do mention your experiences and comments below.
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