Evening Primrose Oil & Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a condition that causes sores and inflammation in the lining of your large intestine. This health problem, notes the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, often manifests in people between 15 and 30 years of age and may run in families -- about 20 percent of people with ulcerative colitis have a relative with an inflammatory bowel condition. Ask your doctor about the merits, drawbacks and limitations of using evening primrose oil and other supplements in treating your ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis can significantly lower your quality of life, and it may increase your risk of developing large bowel cancer, states the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Some of the most frequently experienced signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis include rectal pain during bowel movements, bouts of diarrhea, reduced body weight, bloody stools, unusual abdominal noises, fever and abdominal discomfort, pain or cramping that dissipates after defecation. Most people with this condition experience only mild symptoms.

About Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil comes from the evening primrose plant, or Oenothera biennis. The evening primrose plant possesses a circle of leaves that grow near its base, flowers that bloom only after sunset and seeds from which the plant oil is extracted. Evening primrose seeds contain numerous important medicinal ingredients, including gamma-linolenic acid, linolenic acid, lignan, gallic acid, tannin, quercetin, manganese, calcium and phosphorus. A chemical known as hexane is used to help prepare evening primrose oil for medicinal purposes.

Herb Uses

Evening primrose oil may be one of the most important dietary supplements in treating your ulcerative colitis. In her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch states that evening primrose oil -- as well as flaxseed oil -- may be particularly helpful in protecting the lining of your colon from the inflammation and tissue damage associated with ulcerative colitis. Evening primrose oil, notes Balch, is also important for cell formation. Further scientific scrutiny may be required to validate the use of this supplement in treating ulcerative colitis.

Disclaimer

Ulcerative colitis, if not managed properly, may lead to numerous health complications, including bleeding, perforated colon and a heightened risk of colon cancer. If you have ulcerative colitis, your doctor can counsel you on the safest and most efficacious treatment measures to help resolve your symptoms and treat your underlying problem. The use of supplements, such as evening primrose oil, does not guarantee a favorable health result. Supplements should only be used under the guidance of a licensed healthcare professional.