Extracted from a medicinal plant originating in North America, evening primrose oil is extremely beneficial to women’s health.
Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds of the Oenothera biennis, a plant originating from North America, which has more than 400 species. Initially used in indigenous therapeutic medicine, it is one of the components in nature with the greatest benefits for female health.
Also known as evening primrose, the oil is rich in good fats. In other words, it is a plant made up of 7 to 10% fatty acids, an extremely essential nutrient for the human body.
Among its numerous benefits, some are highlighted as the main ones, such as relieving PMS and menopause symptoms, treating skin problems, bone pain, controlling cholesterol levels and reducing blood pressure.
Properties of Evening Primrose Oil
Fatty acids are one of the properties of evening primrose oil, mainly gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which is considered a type of omega 6. In this sense, this plant is widely used in the treatment of diseases such as chronic inflammation, atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
This type of acid helps prevent diabetes, endometriosis, atopic eczema, hypertension, multiple sclerosis and alcoholism. What’s more, evening primrose oil also contains linolenic, stearic, palmitic and oleic acids. They are all anti-inflammatory, supporting cardiovascular health.
In short, many women use evening primrose oil as a way to alleviate the symptoms of PMS and menopause, and some doctors even recommend this home method.
Even so, the benefits of the plant have not been scientifically proven in patients with such complaints. We must remember that each organism reacts differently, hence the importance of consulting a gynecologist before consuming any medicine, even if it is natural.
8 Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil
1 – Relief of PMS and menopause symptoms
There is evidence that consuming evening primrose oil can reduce episodes of hot flashes at night. Even more, it helps the intestine to absorb calcium, reducing excretion through urine. However, there is still no exact proof of the effect for the treatment of PMS and menopause, but there is ongoing research.
In 2011, a clinical study showed that evening primrose oil or vitamin E can reduce the proportion of pain by 61.3% during the menstrual cycle. The analysis was carried out with 61 women, between 18 and 40 years old, with supplementation of 3g per day or 600mg of vitamin. All received oral doses, three times a day, for one month (at the beginning of the cycle).
2 – Skin treatment with evening primrose oil
Treatment with 1.2 grams of evening primrose oil for 12 weeks, twice a day, leaves the skin hydrated, with elasticity and resistance to wrinkles and fatigue. This is because the fatty acid is essential for human skin. The total limit of use is 345mg of GLA/day. The benefits also extend to psoriasis and skin aging.
3 – Reduces the symptoms of Dermatitis
Consuming 2 grams of evening primrose oil per day for 12 weeks can reduce symptoms of the disease. Since, a study revealed that sufferers showed improvement in relation to itching. Meanwhile, there was an increase in plasma levels of arachidonic acid, responsible for regulating muscle growth protein.
4 – Control of Child Hyperactivity
Linolenic acid, present in evening primrose oil, can help improve the condition of hyperactive children. In this case, the essential acids for the body fill any absence of good fats.
5 – Reduction of blood pressure
Evening primrose oil causes an antiplatelet action, which prevents the accumulation of platelets in the blood vessel, releasing the flow, and consequently, preventing the increase in blood pressure of renin and angiotensin.
6 – Control cholesterol levels
GLA acid, as previously mentioned, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. Therefore, the beneficial effect has already been reported, informally, by several people in this condition.
7 – Relieves the symptoms of breast cancer
Evening primrose oil reduces hormonal disorders caused by breast cancer, providing a better quality of life for patients. On the other hand, the positive results are still under study analysis, as consumption has shown improvements in patients with the disease.
8 – Strengthening bones
A 16-week supplementation with evening primrose oil and fish oil helps increase pro-collagen and osteocalcin, a protein in bones and teeth. Likewise, the beneficial effect extends to bone disorders, stimulating osteoblasts and cells for the formation of bone tissue in women with osteoporosis.
Evening primrose oil consumption
It is necessary to follow medical or nutritionist recommendations, as there is no exact amount of evening primrose oil consumption.
Currently, we can find evening primrose oil in small capsules. They should be taken with water or juice, preferably after lunch and dinner. Since, they are better absorbed in the body when using a source of fat.
There is a contraindication for epileptic patients who are treated with phenothiazines, because there is a risk of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Evening primrose oil has no side effects. However, there is a possibility of headache, nausea and indigestion. If ingested in excess, it can cause thrombosis, inflammation and immunosuppression because of GLA, which can act similarly to arachidonic acid in the body.
Definitely, the combination of evening primrose oil and fish oil has shown effective benefits on blood pressure and kidney function, but it must be done in conjunction with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle habits.
As a result, there are studies that indicate possible interactions of evening primrose oil with antiepileptic drugs, acetylsalicylic acid, ticlopidine, dipyridamole and NSAIDs. Finally, the medicinal plant began to be tested in anesthesia for surgical procedures.
What did you think of this matter? In fact, take the opportunity to also check out: Jasmine tea – The health benefits of jasmine flower tea
Sources: Hospital Sírio Libanês, Minha Vida, Seleções, FDC, and Ecycle
Images: Dr. Sandra Chagas, Extreme diet, Diet guide, Planta Sonya, Vix, Catraca Livre, Pikist, Sollo Nutrition, Diálogos Universitários, and Dia de Saúde
