Oenothera biennis is commonly called evening primrose, king's cure-all, sun drop, fever flower and night willow. According to Drugs.com, evening primrose has been prescribed by herbalists as a remedy for high cholesterol, menopause, psoriasis, acne, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. However, no significant studies have been conducted to prove the herb's effectiveness for these or other conditions.
Plant
Evening primrose flowers only bloom every other year, according to the American Cancer Society. Its leaves form a circle surrounding the stem during the first year. Buds reveal large, yellow flowers at dusk, or on overcast days, from June to September.
History
The wildflower originated in North America, but German and English settlers took the primrose root back to Europe as a food, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The scientific name, Oenothera biennis, is based on the Greek words for "hunt" and "wine" because the root was a traditional hangover remedy. Scientists in the United States began serious study of evening primrose as an herbal medicine in the 1980s.
Medicinal Uses
Evening primrose oil contains omega-6 essential fatty acid and has been used throughout history as an herbal medicine, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Native Americans boiled evening primrose root for digestive or respiratory illnesses, or used the leaves topically for bruises. The oil can be used to ease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, including bloating, breast tenderness and mood swings. The leaves or oil may be used topically to ease rashes, skin inflammation from allergic reactions, and eczema symptoms like itching or scaling. It has been studied as a remedy for rheumatoid arthritis, with no conclusive evidence.
Research
According to MayoClinic.com, there is no conclusive evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil as a medicine. The American Cancer Society also notes that there are no scientific reports to prove evening primrose oil has an effect on cancer patients. Some small laboratory studies do show evidence that evening primrose oil slowed the growth of breast and skin cancer cells, while consuming the root seemed to boost the body's ability to fight the cancer tumors. The American Cancer Society says there must be larger studies of humans to demonstrate an effect, or lack of effect, of evening primrose as a cancer or arthritis treatment.
Warning
Evening primrose, like any herbal supplement, can interact with other herbs or medicines. Only take evening primrose oil and supplements under the supervision of a health care provider. Specifically, evening primrose oil may increase the chance of seizures in users of phenothiazines, including thioridazine, chlorpromazine, perphenazine, fluphenazine and promazine, for schizophrenia. The herb can also interact with any blood-thinning drug.
Currently, evening primrose oil is only sold as a dietary supplement in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Since it is not sold as a drug, it does not have to prove its safety or health benefits to the FDA. Always check with a doctor before taking evening primrose oil.
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