Evening primrose is the common name for Oenothera biennis, a wildflower found throughout America. Oil from the seeds of this flower contains omega-6 fatty acids, which support your health and can be used in the treatment of several health conditions. While consumption of evening primrose products won’t cause high blood pressure, you should consult your doctor before taking them.
Evening Primrose Basics
The omega-6 fatty acids in evening primrose oil are linoleic acid, or LA, and gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA. They are classified as essential fatty acids, which means your body cannot make them, so you need to get them from your diet to maintain your normal body functions. At one time, researchers believed that certain other omega-6 acids could harm your health, but in 2009 the American Heart Association characterized this belief as a mistaken assumption and reported that all forms of omega-6 support normal health. Conditions that may potentially benefit from the use of evening primrose oil supplements include premenstrual syndrome, diabetes-related nerve damage, dermatitis, eczema, allergic skin reactions, heart disease and asthma.
Evening Primrose Risks
When used at normal dosages, evening primrose oil is typically safe and produces few significant side effects, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Potential mild effects include headaches, nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea or loose stools. If you have stomach pain or loose stools, you may have exceeded your maximum intake for the supplement. People who may not be good candidates for evening primrose use include schizophrenics, individuals with blood-clotting or bleeding disorders, individuals with epilepsy or other seizure disorders and anyone planning to have surgery within a period of roughly two weeks.
High Blood Pressure Causes
High blood pressure occurs when the blood in your arteries exerts excessive pressure on your artery walls during the active or resting phases of your heartbeat. This excessive pressure triggers no immediate outward problems, but over time it can damage critically important structures in your body, including your blood vessels, kidneys and heart. Most people have a form of high blood pressure called primary hypertension, which has no specific known cause, MayoClinic.com reports. Some people have another form of the disorder, called secondary hypertension, which has known underlying potential causes that include blood vessel defects, kidney disorders, use of amphetamines and certain other illicit drugs and use of medications such as decongestants, nonprescription painkillers, birth control pills and nonprescription cold remedies.
Blood Pressure Risk Factors
Certain factors raise your risks for the onset of high blood pressure, including African American heritage, advancing age, excessive body weight, any form of tobacco use, excessive salt or sodium consumption and a family history of the disorder. Other factors that can raise your high blood pressure risks include stress, excessive alcohol consumption, insufficient intake of vitamin D or potassium, physical inactivity and the presence of chronic health problems such as diabetes, sleep apnea or high cholesterol. In addition, pregnant women and children also sometimes develop the disorder. Consult your doctor for more information on the causes of high blood pressure and the potential consequences of taking evening primrose supplements.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Herbs at a Glance -- Evening Primrose Oil
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Evening Primrose Oil
- MayoClinic.com; High Blood Pressure (Hypertension); March 2011
- American Heart Association/American Stroke Association; Omega-6 Fatty Acids -- Make Them a Part of Heart-Healthy Eating; January 2009
- Drugs.com: Evening Primrose
