Evening primrose was initially used by Native American Indians as a food and medicine primarily for bruises and hemorrhoids, but it has recently been studied for use in a wide variety of conditions, including diabetes. Evening primrose oil was once available in the United Kingdom as a prescription medicine, but this form has since been taken off the market because of questionable efficacy. As with any supplement, consult with your doctor before using evening primrose oil medicinally.
Treatment
Diabetes is a long-term disease that develops when your body does not produce or properly use insulin, which is a hormone that converts sugar and other foods into energy. Diabetes is characterized by increasing levels of sugar in the blood, which over time can cause damage to your eyes, kidneys, heart and nerves. Self-care activities to help control your blood sugar include eating healthy, losing weight, regular exercise and taking supplements, such as evening primrose oil.
Preparations and Dosing
You can buy evening primrose oil in oil or capsule form. Supplements should be standardized to contain 8 percent gamma-linolenic acid, the active component of primrose oil. Keep primrose oil products properly stored in the refrigerator and out of direct sunlight to prevent the oil from spoiling. Buy primrose oil supplements that are packaged in light-resistant containers, refrigerated, and marked with a freshness date. Evening primrose oil has been studied in daily doses of 4 g for managing diabetes.
Effectiveness
High blood sugar levels from diabetes may cause nerve damage, sometimes called diabetic neuropathy. Evening primrose oil may help to relieve some nerve damage and alleviate some symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. A study published in Diabetic Medicine in 1990, of people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes showed that evening primrose oil significantly improved nerve function and relieved pain symptoms of diabetic nerve damage as compared to placebo, or inactive medicine after six months.
Considerations
Evening primrose oil is usually considered safe but may occasionally cause some mild side effects, such as headache, nausea and upset stomach. Occurrence of abdominal pain or soft stools may be a sign that the dose is too high. Evening primrose oil may induce seizures so avoid it if you have a seizure disorder. You should also avoid primrose oil if you have any type of blood disorder.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Primrose Oil
- Drug Digest: Evening Primrose
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Diabetes
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Primrose Oil
- "Diabetic Medicine"; The Effect of Gamma-Linolenic Acid on Human Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: a Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial; GA Jamal, et al.; May 1990
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