Traditional
use : In America the natives used this plant internally
in infusions to treat asthma problems and externally as a vulnerary plant , to
cure wounds or skin problems. Modern
use:Its oil, extracted from the small reddish seeds by means of cold
pressure, is where all the main active principles of the plant can be found and
economically exploited. In fact the cultivation of this plant in America is mainly
used for the extraction of oil with medicinal purposes. Since the production doesn't
cover the necessities of the demand, this component is one of the most expensive
of all the supplements in the market. MEDICINAL
PROPERTIES OF EVENING PRIMROSE OIL Internal
use
Evening
primrose stands fundamentally out for its wealth in essential fatty acids (EFA).
they are essential in the metabolism because they are considered necessary for
the correct prostaglandins production, (Prostaglandins are precursors of the hormones
and they able to regulate many functions of our body) They are also necessary
for cells and brain to work correctly . It is a plant whose seeds contain omega-6
essential fatty fats . Among these, we can find fundamentally between a 60 or
80% of linoleic acid and till a 15 % of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). The first
one is easier to obtain since one can take it from many varied vegetable sources,
as nuts which are one of the vegetable with the highest quantity. Avocado, soya
or sunflower oils , almonds or peanuts...etc will be another possible sources
where to obtain it from. . Gamma-linolenic acid doesn't appear in considerable
quantities in any food except in the oils of primrose, borage or black currant.
Primrose possesses from 7 to 10% of this kind of fatty acid, the hightest amount
after blackcurrent, which makes it very advisable to be be used as a source of
this component.
We
should not forget that the oil of evening primrose seeds contains high quantities
of oleic acid whose importance in the health of the heart and of the arteries
has also been proved. This kind of fatty acid can also be found in other vegetable
sources as in avocados, nuts or olive oil.
Women's
illnesses: It
has been proved that the use of evening primrose oil is very suitable to treat
a series of illnesses related with the women's health: :
- Premenstrual
syndrome (PMS): Gamma-linolenic acid contributes to prostaglandin E1 production
, a kind of a hormone that reduces the inflammatory processes. This property is
very useful in the treatment of the negative symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome,
so much in what refers to its physical aspects as the psychological ones. The
use of evening primrose complements helps to reduce the stomach swelling , headachach
or bigger sensibility in women's breasts, general body swelling, increase of weight,
pain in the back, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, urinary problems , diverse
manifestations in the skin, as dryness, labial herpes or acne, etc. As for the
psychological aspects, the complements of this plant will help to combat depression,
irritability, bigger aggressiveness, anxiety, etc. The use of this oil constitutes
an alternative without contraindications to the use of prostaglandin inhibitors
or hormones.
Take
capsules of evening primrose oil before menstruation according to the leaflet
indications . ( The usual dose is about 250 mg of GAL evey day, what would represent
about three capsules of 1000 mg of primrose oil a day distributed in 3 doses.
) (Avoid non reliable brands due to the adulteration that these oils are frequently
subjected to)
- Infertility:
the use of this oil can be useful to solve certain infertility problems related
with women's hormonal dysfunctions.
- Ovary
cysts: Their use can be effective in the reduction of the ovary cysts.
- Lumps
in breasts: the capsules of this oil , rich in Omega-6 fatty acids , seem
to reduce the mammary inflammations, avoiding or reducing the formation of benign
lumps in women's breasts ( Fibrocystic mastopathy)
Impotence:
The use of this supplement, for its power to improve blood circulation, can be
used in the event of impotence related with a lack of blood flow in the penis.
(Take three capsules of 1000 mg a day distributed in 3 doses.)
Hair
fall: The use of this supplement, for its power to improve blood circulation,
can be used to prevent hair fall related with a a bad blood circulation in hair
follicle. (Take three capsules of 1000 mg a day distributed in 3 doses.) Rheumatoid
arthritis
: Its anti-inflammatory properties are very useful for the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis. The use of this supplement in a habitual way for a period of 6 months
helps to improve the illness, showing less pain and a bigger flexibility in joints.
Studies carried out in United States applied doses of 2,5 g of gamma-linolenic
acid every day during a period of 6 months. In these experiments it was demonstrated
that the patients presented less pain and their joints were less inflamed. (The
habitual doses usually applied in in this case are about 350 daily mg of GLA,
distributed in two or three takings during meals) Multiple
sclerosis: High doses of this supplement (up to 8 g everyday) are used
for the treatment of multiple sclerosis with very promising results. Circulatory
system: The use of this oil reduces the levels of " bad "
cholesterol (LDL). Besides to its capacity to reduce cholesterol, it is necessary
to say that it possesses anticoagulant properties for blood, it also favors dilation
and flexibility of the arteries and it impedes their inflammation. In general,
it improves blood circulation and it prevents many illnesses of the circulatory
system as the inflammations of the arteries (phlebitis), hemorrhoids, varixes
or hypertension. (The usual dose is about 250 mg of GLA a day) Diabetes:
It has been useful as a complementary medecin in the treatment of the diabetes.
On one hand, this oil helps to maintain the levels of insulin stable, on the other
hand, it prevents the secondary effects that this illness provides in the nervous
system of some patients, such as the usual tingling sensation or the numbness
of the members. Its use in laboratory with mice has demonstrated that it was able
to avoid such problems as diabetic retinopathy or diabetic atherosclerosis, two
illnesses that take place by the excess of sugar in blood. Digestive
apparatus: Evening primrose oil protects the mucous tissue of the digestive
tract so that it can be considered a good ally to protect the stomach. It is specially
useful in the treatment of drunkenness, especially in what refers to the negative
symptoms that hangover produces the following day after drinking. It also seems
to exercise a positive function in the treatment of alcoholism because it alleviates
the negative effects of the syndrome of abstinence from this drug . On the other
hand it has been proved that its use protects our liver against the negative effects
of alcohol. Allergies:Using
it prevents the appearance of the respiratory allergies and reduces its negative
symptoms, as sneezing, lacrimation, etc. Regulator
of tearing and salivation: It is appropriate to control the excess
of production of saliva or tears ( Treatments must be applied during 2 to 4 months.) External
use Eczemas:
In external use, this oil is used for the treatment of eczemas, especially the
atopic eczema , a chronic illness related with allergy problems that attacks the
skin providing it a leather-like texture . Its application during 3 or 4 months
is very positive to reduce itching, dryness and to prevent skin desquamation .
It is an alternative treatment to the use of corticoids or topical inmunomodulators. Acne:
its topical application reduces blackheads, pimples and skin inflammations . This
property takes place because the power of its oil in diluting the accumulation
of fat in the pores of the skin, what impedes that these may become blocked which
would produce the skin flaws of acne. Torn
and strained muscles: By rubbing the strain or torn muscles with this
oil, we will dimish pain. (To empty the content of a capsule on the fingerstips
to massage the affected area) Raynaud's
syndrome: For the treatment of Raynaud's desease, characterized fundamentally
by circulatory problems in the fingers of the hands and of the feet, as well as
in the ears and nose. The frictions with this oil will improve blood circulation
in these areas avoiding redness or numbness and reducing pain. (Empty the content
of a capsule on fingerstips to massage the affected area) Other
uses
Edible plant : Plant of North American origin that was introduced in
Europe in the XVII century as forage for animals, especially for pigs. In America
it was already used previously to feed the livestock and also for human feeding.
The roots were boiled or caramelized. The first winter roots, cooked before bloom,
are eatable. They have a very strong flavor so that they should be boiled a couple
of times. The flowers can be used to perfume salads.
Gardening:
This plant is used in ornamental gardening because its beautiful yellow flowers
to decorate parterres and slopes. Its resistance and adaptation to dryness and
pollution makes it ideal for its use on the edge of highways. On the other hand,
its thick roots and rosettes are useful to fix unstable soils during the first
two years. In fact, this plant was initially imported and planted with this purpose,
until the medicinal properties of its oil was discovered. Contraindications
and toxicity Avoid
using it with epilepsy.
There is a possibility to suffer adverse
reactions such as nausea or uneasiness. It is better to take this supplement together
with food to minimize to the maximum its possible secondary effects in the stomach.
It sometimes produces headache.
It is preferable to take this supplement
together with small doses of vitamin E to avoid its degradation and to absorb
it better.
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