What effect does evening primrose oil have?
The seed oil of the evening primrose (Oenotherae oleum raffinatum) contains large amounts of linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid – two important polyunsaturated fatty acids. People with neurodermatitis (atopic eczema) benefit from this.
This is where the healing effect of evening primrose oil kicks in: it provides the necessary gamma-linolenic acid, which allows the skin to store more moisture and relieves disease-related itching.
What is evening primrose oil used for?
Evening primrose oil is medicinally approved for the relief of neurodermatitis symptoms (especially itching).
It is further discussed whether orally taken evening primrose oil reduces menopausal complaints – for example, hot flashes caused by hormonal changes. However, the scientific findings are not conclusive.
In folk medicine, the plant is further attributed a healing effect in the following diseases:
- Digestive problems
- asthma
- hair loss
- sore throat
- mental abnormalities such as hyperactivity in children
- bruises
- high blood pressure
Scientific evidence for efficacy of evening primrose oil in these areas is lacking.
What side effects can evening primrose oil cause?
How is evening primrose used?
The fatty oil from the seeds of the plant can be used internally and externally.
Evening primrose oil capsules are available for internal use: Two to three grams of the oil should be taken daily. This corresponds to 160 to 240 milligrams of gamma-linolenic acid. Take the capsules after a meal with plenty of liquid.
For children under twelve, a daily dose of one to two grams of evening primrose oil is recommended.
For proper use, please read the package insert and ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, do not get better or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
What you should consider when using evening primrose oil
Do not use preparations with evening primrose in infants and young children under one year of age, because possible risks have not been sufficiently researched.
Treatment with evening primrose can trigger epileptic seizures. Epileptics should therefore be carefully observed during internal and external use or avoid the medicinal plant altogether. Caution should also be exercised in schizophrenic individuals, especially if they are being treated with medications such as phenothiazines.
It is unclear whether the simultaneous use of evening primrose and medications such as anticoagulants/blood thinners (anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents) causes interactions. People receiving such medications should watch for possible bleeding during treatment with evening primrose oil.
How to get evening primrose oil products
What is evening primrose oil?
The common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a member of the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). It originated in North America, but is now found in many other parts of the world. For the extraction of the oil, the plant is cultivated in America and Europe.
