Contents
- 1 In what situations should evening primrose oil not be used?
- 1.1 What is evening primrose?
- 1.2 How is evening primrose oil obtained?
- 1.3 How to take evening primrose oil
- 1.4 How much evening primrose should be taken?
- 1.5 Can evening primrose be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
- 1.6 Evening primrose side-effects
- 1.7 Evening primrose oil contraindications
- 1.8 Evening primrose oil or borage oil?
- 1.9 What is evening primrose used for?
In what situations should evening primrose oil not be used?
What is evening primrose?
Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a plant of the Onagraceae family that is mainly used to make evening primrose oil.
How is evening primrose oil obtained?
Evening primrose oil is obtained from the seeds of the plant by cold pressure. This oil is one of the most complete supplements for its richness in essential fatty acids, which have vasodilator, anti-inflammatory, blood fluidizing and cholesterol synthesis inhibitor properties.
Essential fatty acids are found in high concentration in the nervous system, eyes and skin, so they have benefits in these systems.
How to take evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil is a very sensitive product, which is taken in pearls for better dosage and preservation.
It may take up to 3 months to notice the effects of evening primrose. It is recommended to take pearls of evening primrose oil along with meals, to minimize side effects.
How much evening primrose should be taken?
The dose depends on the condition you want to treat. It is recommended to be fixed and controlled by a doctor. In general, the amounts that are usually scheduled are 1,500 to 2,000mg. daily, that is, 3 – 4 pearls of 500 mg. daily
Can evening primrose be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Before taking a supplement, you should consult your doctor.
Evening primrose side-effects
- Evening primrose oil is a safe supplement, which generally has very few side effects and is well tolerated for most people.
- Evening primrose oil supplements may have a laxative effect and cause diarrhea, in which case the dose should be reduced or the treatment abandoned.
- Gastrointestinal adverse reactions may occur, such as nausea, malaise, feeling of heaviness in the stomach, soft stools.
- Occasionally it can cause headache.
Evening primrose oil contraindications
- Schizophrenia and epilepsy: Consult with your doctor beforehand when these diseases are treated with epileptogenic drugs, such as phenothiazines.
- Medication: In case of taking anticoagulant drugs, heart drugs, circulation medication, varicose veins, or other types of medication, consult your doctor before taking this supplement.
- Before or after surgical operations (pre and post operative)
Evening primrose oil or borage oil?
Evening primrose oil is preferable to borage oil, because borage contains pyrodiziline alkaloids that are contraindicated in long treatments because they damage the liver. (More information)
What is evening primrose used for?
Among all the applications of evening primrose, we can mention the following:
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Vaginal dryness
- Herpes
- Acne
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Hyperactivity
- Constipation
- Infertility
- Hair loss
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Circulatory system
- Hemorrhoids
- Varicose veins
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- COPD
- Alzheimer’s
- Eczema
- Dry skin
More information on evening primrose oil
