Evening primrose oil (shortened as EPO) is a common herbal medicine used by individuals looking for relief from a variety of ailments. The evening primrose plant is known scientifically as Oenothera biennis and has been given other English names, some of which are: evening star, fever plant, German rampion, hog weed, and weedy evening primrose.
The oil is taken from mature seeds of the plant, and contains between 7 to 10% of a rare essential fatty acid: gamma-linolenic acid (sometimes known as gamoleic acid or simply GLA). EPO is not the only source of gammal-linolenic acid, however, as it can also be found in other vegetable oils such as borage oil and blackcurrent oil, as well as a form of cyanobacteria known as spirulina.
Medical uses
Evening primrose oil has several purported health benefits. Some suggested medicinal uses and situations in which it is claimed to be useful are listed below:
Arthritis
Autoimmune disorders
Cancer treatment
Diabetes treatment
Eczema
Inflammation (anti-inflammatory)
PMS / Premenstrual syndrome pain reduction
Quicken wound healing
Rheumatoid arthritis
Continue reading more details on claimed conditions for treatments and benefits. Please note that the actual efficacy or usefulness of evening primrose oil in these circumstances may or may not exist. Contact a qualified professional or other source for additional information on the use of EPO in particular medical conditions or for certain suggested benefits.
Availability
After the oil has been extracted from the plant's seeds, it is then commonly put into capsules or "softgels" meant for ingestion orally. These are generally made in dosage forms around 500mg, 1000mg, or 1300mg. Evening primrose oil is also sold directly as an oil, for external use on the skin. In the case of 100% pure evening primrose oil, this would mean that up to 10% of the oil is GLA.
Visit the forms page for more on types, doses, and related information.
Side effects
Most individuals seem to tolerate evening primrose oil well, however, side effects can occur. Some mild side effects may include headache and gastrointestinal upset (GI upset). As in other situations, there may also be potential interactions with other herbal medicines, supplements, or any medications being taken by the patient. Look for assistance from a professional prior to using EPO if you are taking any other such items.
Read the side effects page for additional information.