10 Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose, Oenothera biennis, is a plant native to North America and some parts of Europe. The plant gets its name from its large fragrant flowers that fully bloom in the evening. The oil extracted from the seeds has been used since ancient times as a natural remedy for is various health and beauty benefits.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefit #1: Brain Function
In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function, as well as normal growth and development. One of the most important ingredients in evening primrose oil is gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid found in plant based oils such as evening primrose oil (EPO).
The recommended dose of evening primrose oil is up to 3 capsules a day, at a dose of 1000 milligrams per capsule. However, it is better to start off with a lower dose of 500mg capsules and increase as necessary.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefit #2: Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition characterized with inflamed patches of skin that become itchy, red, cracked, and rough. Different types of eczema affect about 31.6 percent of people in the United States. Some forms of eczema occur due to a gene mutation that affects the skin’s natural protective barrier.
When treating eczema, the focus is on alleviating symptoms and healing the damaged skin. Oral doses of evening primrose oil should be tried when conventional medicine does not seem to work. Eczema treatment using evening primrose oil may help correct the abnormality in essential fatty acids.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefit #3: Relieve PMS symptoms
Although oral evening primrose oil does not help with hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, the supplement reportedly helps with some PMS symptoms. Some women experience improvement in breast tenderness, feelings of depression, irritability, and swelling and bloating from fluid retention.
Evening primrose oil is able to help with a variety of symptoms because our bodies convert GLA into a chemical that soothes inflammation in in various tissues, thus alleviating pain in breasts to eyes and beyond.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefit #4: Hair Care
Evening Primrose oil acts as a natural, nourishing conditioner and can help heal damaged hair. The oil is packed with fatty acids that can improve dry hair and dandruff. As the oil nourishes the scalp, it removes sebum build-up from the hair follicles.
While all hair types can use evening primrose oil, it is most effective for people with dry damaged hair. Apply a small amount daily directly to the scalp for best results.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefit #5: Nerve Pain for Diabetes
Linoleic acid as well as GLA, the fatty acids found in evening primrose oil, are essential components of myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibers, and the neuronal cell membrane. Therefore, diabetic neuropathy, nerve pain, has been treated with EPO when traditional treatments do not work.
Clinical trials have been promising with a statistically significant improvement in neuropathy scores, including nerve conduction tests, for people taking evening primrose oil capsules for 6 months when compared with a placebo.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefit #6: Joint Pain
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease with the main symptoms being joint pain and stiffness. Studies show that primrose oil may be a suitable natural remedy for rheumatoid arthritis with reported significant improvement of disease-related symptoms, including joint pain.
Since evening primrose oil is such a rich source of the omega-6 fatty acids GLA and linolenic acid, when evening primrose oil is consumed, the linolenic acid is converted into GLA in our body. GLA plays an important role in maintaining joint structure and its function. Reportedly, gamma-linolenic acid suppresses inflammatory responses which are directly related to inflammatory diseases.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefit #7: Skin Health
As we age, our bodies become drier inside and out. Lipids are necessary components of skin and play a crucial role in the skin’s function as a barrier against the external environment. GLA and linoleic acid from EPO work together to rebuild the lipid structure.
When applied to dry damaged areas, evening primrose oil creates a protective layer to seal the in the moisture while nourishing the skin. You can even use evening primrose oil to soothe and prevent peeling of sunburned skin.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefit #8: Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a when the bone structure becomes weak as small holes are formed. This can eventually lead to fractures or joint pain. Some studies suggest that people who do not get enough essential fatty acids in their diet are more likely to have bone loss. This is where EPO comes in.
Taking evening primrose oil, along with fish oil and calcium, seems to decrease bone loss and increase bone density in elderly people with osteoporosis. One major cause of osteoporosis is a hormonal imbalance, but the good news is that there are natural treatments for osteoporosis that are highly effective — such as using evening primrose oil to regulate hormonal issues.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefit #9: Hormone Balance
Hormone disruption can cause numerous problems in men and women. The GLA in evening primrose oil can help in maintaining an important balance of hormones. While getting the wrong kinds of fats can wreak havoc on hormones.
Evening primrose oil’s fatty acid composition helps support the body’s natural hormone production. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in magnesium, vitamin b6, zinc, vitamin C, and niacin will help your body use GLA effectively.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefit #10: Blood Circulation
Blood circulation transfers oxygen, minerals, and nutrients to every part of the body. In addition, maintaining proper circulation promotes organ function and cell growth. Common symptoms of poor blood flow throughout the body are tingling sensations or numbness in certain parts of the body, an irregular heartbeat, pain in the legs, muscle cramps, headaches, edema, dry skin, hair loss, dizziness, fatigue, and cold feet and hands.
Evening primrose oil is very good for those want to improve blood flow. It contains healthy lipids which aid in reducing inflammation. This in turn can help to improve blood flow throughout the whole body.
