Primrose, better known as evening primrose, is a wildflower grown throughout the United States. Its seeds contain essential fatty acid oils, which are imperative for growth and development, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The University of Maryland Medical Center states evening primrose oil supplements are mainly used to relieve itchiness associated with certain skin conditions and to ease breast tenderness from premenstrual syndrome. More evidence is needed regarding its effectiveness, therefore people should consult a health care provider.
History
Throughout history evening primrose has served as food and medicine, often for upset stomach relief and respiratory infections, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Native Americans ate the boiled, nutty-flavored root of evening primrose flowers, and used their leaf poultices to heal bruises and hemorrhoids. European settlers discovered the evening primrose flower and took its roots back to England and Germany, where it was introduced as food. In Europe, it became known as German rampion because it grew on a vine.
Mechanism
Manufacturers extract oil from the primrose seeds and prepare it as a supplement using a chemical callled hexane. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports evening primrose seeds contain up to 25 percent essential fatty acids, including linoleic acid, or LA, and gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA. LA and GLA belong to the health promoting omega-6 fatty acid group, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Omega-6 fatty acids are necessary for normal growth and development.
Skin Conditions
More than 30 clinical research studies have proven the benefits of evening primrose oil supplementation for skin conditions involving eczema and dermatitis. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that one particular study of 1,207 patients reported evening primrose oil was beneficial for improving skin condition symptoms, such as itching, crusting, edema and redness. Evening primrose oil has particularly been used in the United States to treat eczema, as it assists in reducing inflammation, itching, and dried and scaling skin, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM.
Premenstrual Syndrome
In the United Kingdom, evening primrose oil is officially licensed for the treatment of breast pain, and is consider the first line of therapy in several European countries, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, United States clinical research studies have shown conflicting results of the supplement's effectiveness for the treatment of breast pain. On the other hand, U.S. clinical research studies have discovered evening primrose oil improves symptoms associated with PMS, including mood swings, bloating and breast tenderness.
Dosing
Manufacturers extract the oil from the seeds of the evening primrose and process it into capsule form for supplementation, according to the NCCAM. MayoClinic.com states eczema sufferers should take 4 to 8 g of evening primrose oil daily; however this dosage should be divided into several smaller doses throughout the day. PMS sufferers should consume 3 g daily, but to also divide it into smaller doses throughout the day.
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