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Evening Primrose Oil - Herbal Remedy
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Native to the eastern two-thirds of the U.S., the tiny little perennial that herbalists call evening primrose produces a nutrient-rich oil that is prized by traditional healers and modern herbalists alike. Today, the rich oil produced from the seeds of this edible plant is consistently among the best-selling herbal supplements in North America.
Why Herbalists Use Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is an especially rich source of gamma-linolenic acid, which is an essential fatty acid that some studies suggest may help some people better manage health issues like atopic dermatitis, premenstrual syndrome and even chronic conditions like Raynaud's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
How to Take Evening Primrose Oil
Typically, evening primrose oil is packaged in 500-mg capsules. For the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, your herbalist may suggest that you take as many as 10 capsules a day. But for most health conditions, a couple of capsules taken twice a day is sufficient.
For conditions like atopic dermatitis, evening primrose may also be applied directly to the affected area. Simply pierce the capsule then apply a thin later of the oil to the skin.
Like most other herbal remedies, evening primrose oil takes time to fully realize its healing potential. You may need to take this supplement for several weeks to notice an improvement. Fortunately, for most people, evening primrose oil seems to be safe for long-term use. Taking evening primrose capsules with a supplement containing vitamin E may help your body better use the essential fatty acids in evening primrose and taking it with food will reduce your chances of stomach upset.
Contraindications
For most people, evening primrose can be a safe and effective anti-inflammatory. But it's not appropriate for everyone. Evening primrose oil may not be appropriate for schizophrenics or people taking certain drugs used to treat epilepsy. Additionally, evening primrose oil may interfere with the way your body uses some medications.
References:
American Botanical Council. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. 2003.
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