Evening primrose oil, made from the seeds of the evening primrose plant, has many homeopathic uses. At least one study suggests evening primrose oil can control appetite and facilitate weight loss. Consult your physician before you begin using evening primrose oil to treat a condition.
Uses
Native Americans used evening primrose to heal bruises. More than 30 studies show that evening primrose oil is useful for treating eczema and other types of dermatitis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Additionally, this oil may help rheumatoid arthritis, mastalgia, osteoporosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, premenstrual syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, acne, heart disease, high cholesterol and symptoms of menopause. (ref 1 and 2)
Appetite
Evening primrose oil may help with appetite and weight control, according to Richard A. Passwater, author of "Evening Primrose Oil." The gamma-linolenic acid in evening primrose oil may stimulate brown fat. Brown fat helps to regulate appetite. In a study by K.S. Vaddadi and David Horrobin, overweight people given evening primrose oil lost weight and reported that their appetites had decreased. However, this study has not been replicated to provide additional evidence of the oil's effect on appetite.
Dose
Patients taking evening primrose oil for mastalgia, or breast pain, should take 3 to 4 grams daily by mouth, according to MedlinePlus. Those taking evening primrose oil for other purposes should take between 2 and 8 grams daily, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Seek medical advice before you give children evening primrose oil. Consult a physician who is skilled in natural healing to determine which dose is appropriate for you.
Precautions
Although evening primrose oil is generally considered safe for most people, consult your physician before you begin using it to treat your condition. Evening primrose oil may cause mild to moderate side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, headache and loose stools. Additionally, evening primrose oil may bring on seizures for some epileptics and people on a class of anti-schizophrenic medications called phenothiazines, and it may slow blood clotting for people who are taking blood thinners.
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