Health Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil

Summary   

Evening Primrose oil is produced from the seeds of Oenothera biennis and is rich in fatty acids such as gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and omega-6 fatty acids. This oil is highly beneficial for maintaining the overall health of women. Further, it is used widely for treating premenstrual syndrome, breast pain, and diabetic neuropathy without any side effects.

 

Introduction   

Thousands of women suffer from premenstrual syndrome each month for the better half of their life. This can weigh them down, making them tired and depressed and unable to live their lives to the fullest. Seeds of the Oenothera biennis plant found in North America are used to produce an oil called evening primrose oil. Primrose oil contains vital fatty acids like linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, and omega-6 fatty acids loaded with health benefits like anti-inflammatory and analgesic action.¹ Primrose oil may be the answer to your menstrual cycle-related concerns.

 

   Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil   

Packed with multiple fatty acids, primrose oil has a wide variety of benefits as follows:

• Premenstrual conditions
• Breast pain (mastalgia)
• Menopause
• Induce labour in pregnancy
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Eczema and other skin conditions
• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scleroderma and Raynaud's phenomenon

 

•  Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS):¹   

Physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms mark premenstrual syndrome. The most noted symptoms include headache, fatigue, anxiety, depression, acne, backache, and food cravings. Linolenic acid, a key component of evening primrose oil, promotes prostaglandin synthesis and may help to relieve premenstrual symptoms.

 

•  Breast Pain (Mastalgia):¹   

Breast pain is a frequent and painful condition affecting women of reproductive age. Changes in hormones cause cyclical breast pain during the menstrual period. The lack of γ-linolenic acid makes breast tissues sensitive to sex hormones, leading to breast pain. Primrose oil can replenish the deficiency of linoleic acid and may help relieve your breast pain.  

 

•  Menopause:²   

The most common symptom of menopause is hot flashes. Evening primrose oil has been shown to reduce and eliminate hot flashes associated with menopause.

 

•  Pregnancy:³   

Evening primrose oil aids in reducing the duration of labour and prevents post-dated pregnancy (cervical ripening). It is also effective in treating pre-eclampsia, characterized by pregnancy-related swelling, high blood pressure, and protein in the urine.

 

•  Diabetic Neuropathy:⁴   

Severe diabetes leads to nerve damage, and this is termed diabetic neuropathy. Omega-6 essential fatty acids are critical components of myelin and nerve coverings. They are abundant in the evening primrose oil. Many studies have proved a combination of evening primrose oil and vitamin E is used successfully to treat patients with mild to moderate diabetic neuropathy.

 

•  Eczema and other skin conditions:   

Evening primrose oil improves skin hydration and elasticity and regulates sebum production. It also helps to soothe dry and itchy skin and reduces breakouts on the skin.

 

•  Osteoporosis:⁵   

Osteoporosis is a disorder that makes bones brittle making them prone to fractures. However, according to studies, when calcium and essential fatty acids are combined, they increase bone density and prevent bone loss. Therefore, older persons with osteoporosis may benefit from primrose oil with calcium.

 

•  Rheumatoid Arthritis:⁶   

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder resulting in bone and joint pain. The use of evening primrose oil can help reduce morning stiffness and pain.

 

•  Scleroderma and Raynaud's phenomenon:⁷   

Scleroderma patients and those with certain other skin diseases may have a metabolic block that prevents the body from producing gamma-linolenic acid, the primary ingredient in evening primrose oil. Thus, primrose oil may help to reduce the severity of episodes of scleroderma, diminish pain, reduce coldness of the hands, and improve the skin texture in patients with scleroderma and Raynaud's phenomenon without any adverse effects.

 

   Drug Interactions   

• Blood Thinning Effect:

Evening primrose oil causes a blood thinning effect, and patients on blood thinners (e.g., warfarin) should avoid evening primrose oil.

• Seizures:

The use of evening primrose oil lowers the seizure threshold and must be avoided in patients with schizophrenia.

• Anaesthesia:

Evening primrose oil should be avoided within two weeks of general anaesthesia as it increases the risk of seizures.

 

   Recommended Dose   

You can use evening primrose oil topically or as a supplement. Adults can frequently consume 2–6 grams of evening primrose oil daily for 3–12 months. However, it is better to speak to a healthcare professional first for the correct dose for your condition.

 

   Conclusion   

Gamma linolenic and linolenic acids are abundant in primrose oil. Therefore, evening primrose oil helps relieve premenstrual symptoms and boost overall health in women. 100 mg of evening primrose oil in Wellwoman supports a healthy hormonal balance. The formulation contains vitamin B6 for improving emotional balance, fluctuation in ovarian steroidal levels, and circadian pattern of melatonin secretion. In addition, it contains Vitamin D, which reduces PMS (Premenstrual symptoms) and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant markers. It also includes minerals like Magnesium which helps reduce the severity of menstrual pain by decreasing the production of prostaglandins. So, opt for the Wellwoman tablets from Vitabiotics that contain a healthy dose of primrose oil. Take control of your body and life back!

 

   References   

1. Mahboubi M. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Oil in Management of Female Ailments. J Menopausal Med. 2019 Aug;25(2):74-82.

Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6718646/

2. van der Sluijs CP, Bensoussan A, Liyanage L, Shah S. Women's health during mid-life survey: the use of complementary and alternative medicine by symptomatic women transitioning through menopause in Sydney. Menopause. 2007;14(3 Pt 1):397–403.

Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17202872/

3. Dove D, Johnson P. Oral evening primrose oil: its effect on length of pregnancy and selected intrapartum outcomes in low-risk nulliparous women. J Nurse Midwifery. 1999 May-Jun;44(3):320-4.

Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10380450/

4. Ogbera AO, Ezeobi E, Unachukwu C, Oshinaike O. Treatment of diabetes mellitus-associated neuropathy with vitamin E and Eve primrose. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Nov;18(6):846-9

Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4192992/

5. Di Pasquale MG. The essentials of essential fatty acids. J Diet Suppl. 2009;6(2):143-61.

Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22435414/

6. Brzeski M, Madhok R, Capell HA. Evening primrose oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and side-effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Br J Rheumatol. 1991 Oct;30(5):370-2.

Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1913008/

7. Belch, Jill & Shaw, Birendra & O'Dowd, A & Saniabadi, A & Leiberman, P & Sturrock, R & Forbes, Dee. (1985). Evening Primrose Oil (Efamol) in the Treatment of Raynaud's Phenomenon: A Double Blind Study. Thrombosis and haemostasis. 54. 490-4.

Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4082084/