What is it
Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a plant belonging to the onagraceae family that grows wild in North America and temperate regions of the European continent. It is also known as bella at night, primrose in the evening, rapunzia and enagra.
It contains high amounts of an oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid.
When it can be used
Menstrual disorders. Essential fatty acids are the precursors of prostaglandin E1: according to some studies this substance is able to lower prolactin levels.
This hormone is involved in the onset of symptoms associated with the premenstrual phase: evening primrose has therefore proved useful in the treatment of these disorders, in particular water retention, painful tension in the breast, nervousness, depressive disorders.
Reduction of benign breast cysts. Some studies suggest that evening primrose is able to reduce the size of benign breast cysts, inhibit their formation and reduce the risk of recurrence after surgical removal.
Atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis frequently affects children and is characterized by intense itching, redness and peeling of the skin.
This could be caused by a reduced activity of the enzyme delta-6-desaturase, which converts linoleic acid into gamma-linolenic acid. This causes levels of cis-linoleic acid levels to rise in the blood.
Evening primrose has been shown to induce positive effects, in terms of improving typical symptoms, without causing significant side effects.
Its protective action on the skin has proved to be, in some studies, particularly useful for the treatment of eczema, sunburn and sunburn.
How it works
Evening primrose oil contains essential fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the human body and that perform important tasks.
They are important constituents of phospholipids of cell membranes, to which they ensure elasticity and integrity.
The same essential fatty acids are also the precursors of substances essential for various immune and coagulative processes such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes.
How to use it
For medicinal purposes, the seeds of the evening primrose are used, from which an oil is obtained titrated and standardized in gamma linoleic acid at least 8 percent.
The dosage is between 10 and 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day: this amount should be divided into two doses to be taken with food (after breakfast and after dinner). The treatment should be divided into cycles of 3-4 months with intervals of about 1 month.
Precautions
The tolerability of evening primrose oil is excellent.
Interactions
Evening primrose oil products should not be taken at the same time as anticonvulsant and antiepileptic drugs, since they can lower the threshold at which seizures occur.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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