Evening primrose is a flower that grows wild throughout the U.S. Native Americans introduced European settlers to the uses of the flower as both a food and medicine centuries ago, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Herbalists use the oil of the flower to treat a number of conditions including an ailment known as Raynaud's disease, which is a disease that attacks the tiny blood vessels of the hands and feet. You should always consult your physician before using evening primrose oil or any herbal remedy.
Evening Primrose
Evening primrose grows close to the ground, and a circle of leaves grows around the stems after the first year. The flowers bloom at night, from June through September, during the flower's second year. Evening primrose oil is made from the seeds of the evening primrose flower. The seeds contain high doses of the essential fatty acid known as gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA. GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid, which plays a critical role in brain function as well as growth and development. They help stimulate hair and skin growth, regulate your metabolism, and maintain bone health and the reproductive system.
Raynaud's Disease
While it is common for people to have cold hands or feet, Raynaud's disease is a condition that causes certain parts of your body, most commonly the fingers, toes, ears and tip of the nose, to feel numb or cold in response to change in temperature or stress. People with Raynaud's disease experience a narrowing of the smaller arteries of the affected parts, causing restriction in blood flow that leads to symptoms of cold toes or fingers, changes in skin color in response to stress or cold, numbness, pins and needles sensation, or stinging pain when warm or relaxed.
It is possible to have Raynaud's disease that is not associated with any underlying medical condition, but often, Raynaud's disease occurs secondary to another ailment, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma or Sjogren's syndrome. When this occurs, it is known as Raynaud's phenomenon. Treatment for Raynaud's disease includes medications such as calcium-channel blockers, alpha-blockers and vasodilators. MayoClinic.com explains that certain over-the-counter cold medicines, birth control pills and beta-blockers may exacerbate Raynaud's disease.
The Science
Herbalists and holistic practitioners use evening primrose oil to treat not only Raynaud's disease but also the conditions that can cause the disorder, including rheumatoid arthritis. Studies concerning the effectiveness of evening primrose oil on many conditions began in the 1980s but as of the time of publication, insufficient evidence exists to support claims that evening primrose oil helps treat Raynaud's disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Warnings
The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that evening primrose oil is considered safe when taken in recommended doses. However, it may interact with phenothizines, medications used to treat schizophrenia, so people using medications such as perphenazine, promazine, thioridazine, fluphenazine or chlorpromazine should avoid using the supplement. Evening primrose oil may also interact with blood thinners, anti-platelet medications and herbal supplements with blood-thinning effects as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. You should consult your physician before using evening primrose oil while taking these medications.
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