Evening primrose oil — sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Evening primrose oil is the essential oil extracted from a wildflower of the same name. Evening primrose is a biennial wildflower that is native to Canada and the United States. The plant is also a naturalized species in Great Britain and other parts of Europe, Russia and eastern Asia as well as South American, Australia and some Pacific islands including New Zealand. The plant is known to thrive well in places with abundant sunlight such as waste areas, meadows, beaches, dunes, and sidewalks.

List of known nutrients

The beneficial oil is packed with important nutrients that improve the body’s overall health and well-being. These nutrients include:

• Amino Acids
• Beta-sitosterol
• Caffeic Acid
• Calcium
• Campesterol
• Ellagic Acid
• Gallic Acid
• Iron
• Kaempferol
• Lignins
• Linoleic Acid
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Phytosterol
• Potassium
• Quercetin
• Stearic Acid
• Tannins
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Zinc

Medicinal uses for evening primrose oil

Evening primrose oil is best known for its beneficial effects on skin health. The essential oil is touted to clear out acne by reducing skin inflammation and targeting cells that cause skin lesions. A large number of studies have also revealed that the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in evening primrose oil helps improve skin elasticity and enhance the epidermis. Likewise, the essential oil is found to relieve cheilitis, a condition characterized by pain and inflammation of the lips.

The healthy oil is also shown to improve women’s health. A past study has revealed that evening primrose oil effectively relieves symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) including depression, irritability, and bloating. Another study has demonstrated that the GLA in evening primrose oil is highly effective in alleviating cyclical breast pain by mitigating inflammation and inhibiting prostaglandins from causing the chronic condition. In addition, the essential oil is found to reduce the severity of hot flashes and lower the odds of preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Moreover, evening primrose oil is valued for its positive effects on cardiovascular health. Various studies have revealed that the healthy oil contains strong anti-inflammatory properties that effectively reduce blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels. The essential oil works on the central nervous system as well. According to a Medical News Today article, evening primrose oil may alleviate nerve pain associated with diabetes.

Evening primrose oil is also known to relieve rheumatism and reduce the odds of developing osteoporosis. Likewise, the healthy oil is found to relieve scleroderma and Raynaud’s phenomenon. Health experts explain that scleroderma is an autoimmune condition characterized by the thickening and hardening of various tissues, while Raynaud’s phenomenon is a disorder that causes the fingers to go numb and cold.

Body systems supported by evening primrose oil

Evening primrose oil is particularly beneficial to skin health. Likewise, the essential oil supports the heart and the central nervous system. The oil is also valued for its positive effects on the bones, muscles, and women’s reproductive health.

Ways to use evening primrose oil

The flowers and essential oils extracted from the evening primrose plant can be added to salads, according to an article posted on the Edible Wild Foods website. Likewise, the article notes that the young seed pods can be roasted. Other parts of the plants such as roots and stems can be made into tea and other interesting meals.

Where to learn more

• Evening Primrose Oil Benefits Fertility and Treats Heart Disease and Arthritis
• Evening primrose oil: The king’s cure-all
• 14 Herbs for healing the thyroid naturally
• What You Can Do to Help Naturally Reduce Allergy Symptoms
• Plant-based fats inhibit cancer and prevent both breast cancer and prostate cancer

Summary

Evening primrose oil prevents the onset of various skin conditions and menstrual issues.

Evening primrose oil lowers the odds of heart disease, rheumatism, and osteoporosis.

Evening primrose oil keeps nerve pain, scleroderma, and Raynaud’s phenomenon at bay.

Evening primrose oil is particularly beneficial to both the skin and female reproductive health.

Evening primrose oil supports the heart, bones, muscles and the central nervous system.

Sources include:

Herbpathy.com

HealthLine.com

MedicalNewsToday.com

EdibleWildFood.com