As is the case with so many traditional remedies that have fallen out of use, people are rediscovering evening primrose oil benefits all over again as herbal remedies for common maladies become more and more commonplace and accepted.
Evening primrose is a small yellow flower that has been used as a traditional remedy by native Americans for centuries, but in recent times has been looked on as little more than a common garden weed. It grows wild throughout North America and Canada, and blooms throughout the summer. The name evening primrose describes its tendency to bloom when the sun sets, and then wither in the sun the next morning.
How Evening Primrose Oil Benefits Health
The health benefits of evening primrose oil supplements come primarily from a compound called gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA. It is an essential omega-6 fatty acid, and is used in the body in all manner of ways, from weight regulation to insulin use to acting as an anti-inflammatory. The body takes the GLA it consumes and converts it into dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), which is a natural anti-inflammatory that is used throughout the body.
Traditional Health Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil
While it is commonly used in the treatment of many different conditions, the most well-known evening primrose oil benefits involves its use for women’s health. It is most commonly used to relieve the pain and symptoms associated with menopause and PMS, specifically the breast pain, irritability, hormonal fluxuations, headache, moodswings, and swelling.
In addition to the way evening primrose oil benefits women’s health, it has also shown promise as a treatment for: atopic dermatitis (eczema), chronic fatigue, diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetic neuropathy.
Dosage
Like many herbal supplements, there is no standard recommended dosage of evening primrose oil. Studies determining whether or not evening primrose oil benefits breast pain used a baseline of 3g per day for adults, though other studies have used up to 8g daily. Children should not take herbal supplements without medical supervision, and adults should speak with their doctors before beginning supplementation. Most people do not see any overt benefit until they have been taking evening primrose oil for 4 to 8 weeks.
Evening Primrose Oil Side Effects
In most cases, the side effects of evening primrose oil are fairly mild, though bloating, abdominal pain, and loose stools are the most commonly reported side effects.
However, if you have a history of seizures or schizophrenia, are taking anti-seizure medication, or are taking anti-psychotics, you run a high risk of seizure. For the same reason, it is very important that you stop taking evening primrose oil at least two weeks before having any sort of surgery, as it can interact with the anesthesia.
Clinical Studies
As is sadly the case with many home remedies and herbal supplements, clinical studies have found mixed results when actually trying to determine whether or not evening primrose oil benefits the body. While limited conclusions can be drawn due to the wide variation in dosages and relatively small sample sizes, high dosages found that the anecdotal benefits of evening primrose oil when it comes to rheumatism and eczema partially showed themselves. Still, not enough clinical evidence exists to draw a conclusion either way as to its effects on good health.
