Evening Primrose Oil Overview, Uses, Benefits and Side Effects

The evening primrose plant (scientific name: Oenotherabiennis) is a natural source of evening primrose oil. It can be obtained in the form of a supplement and has many benefits.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an essential constituent of this oil; other plant-based oils also have this ingredient.

Dosage 

Evening primrose oil is typically available in gel cap form in many pharmacies. For adults, a dose of 500 mg is recommended per day, and a daily dose of thirteen hundred mg is considered tolerable.

For children, due to the lack of research evidence, it is recommended first to take a physician’s advice before taking this supplement.

Uses and Health Benefits of evening primrose oil

There are many uses and health benefits of evening primrose oil, such as:

1.      Even primrose for Menstrual Conditions   

During menopause, many females use evening primrose oil for treating hot flashes. Hot flashes involve flushing, which is caused by a reduction in estradiol hormone.

A study shows that when women were provided with a placebo, then the severity level of hot flashes was improved, but the frequency and duration of the episodes did not improve.

With limited evidence, it is suggested that this oil is used to treat PMS and menstrual cramps.

2.     Primrose oils for nerve pain

When the conventional method of treating nerve pain related to diabetes does not work, and then evening primrose oil can be used for treating this pain linked with diabetes.

Clinical studies show that this oil is taken for about six to twelve months can be used for improving the symptoms of nerve damage due to diabetes.

3.     Evening primrose oil for osteoporosis

For the treatment of osteoporosis in older adults, this oil can be used, resultantly increasing the density of bones and decreasing the loss of bones.

However, fish oil and calcium are the natural sources of this oil.

4.     Evening primrose oil for eczema

For the treatment of Eczema (a condition with irritable and flaky skin), evening primrose oil can be used.

If taken orally, evening primrose oil may be useful for correcting an irregularity in essential fatty acids which occurs during eczema.

5.     Evening primrose oil Rheumatoid Arthritis

Evening primrose oil can be used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which affects the joint.

Researches demonstrate that this oil reduces pain in people with mild to moderate level of rheumatoid arthritis.

Side Effects of Evening primrose oil

Although the researches on the effects of this oil are limited in some cases, it may have some side effects.

Some of the disadvantages of this oil are diarrhea, upset stomach, nausea, and headaches. Mostly some of the side effects of this oil are not of much intensity and can be resolved if people stop taking this oil.