Evening Primrose Oil And Health Benefits
Megan Stansfield
Evening primrose is an indigenous plant to North America. The
flowers have a strong, sweet scent, and only bloom at night
during the months of June through October. Evening primrose has
been used for hundreds of years to treat various ailments of the
skin and muscular system. Several Native American tribes
discovered that the entire plant is edible, and could be used
as a painkiller in addition to everyday consumption. In Europe
it is a proven treatment for PMS. The bark and leaves of
evening primrose are said to have astringent and sedative
properties. It has been proven to be effective treatment in
regards to gastro-intestinal disorders, asthma and chronic or
whooping coughs.
Evening primrose is rich in amino acids and essential amino
acids such as omega 6. Essential fatty acids magnetize oxygen
as well as produce electrical currents. Once in the body amino
acids and essential amino acids are transformed into
hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which condense
allergic response and inflammation.
Existence without essential fatty acids is impossible because
they are vital to the electrical reactions of cells. Essential
fatty acids carry vitamins, enhance metabolism and transport
oxygen to the tissues. They are indispensable to the adrenal
glands, brain cells, retinas, sensory organs, synapses and
testes. Essential fatty acids act as solvents to eliminate
hardened fat inside the human body. They are also involved in
generating the electric currents that maintain regular
heartbeats, regulating chromosome stability and will even help
with weight loss.
Here is a list of major constituents found in evening primrose:
Alanine (0.5%), arginine (1.5%), aspartic acid (1.2%),
beta-sitosterol (1.2-2.5%), calcium (1.3-1.8%), cellulose
(27%), gamma-linolenic acid (0.5-10%), glutamic acid (2.7%),
glycine (1%), fat (15-32%), fiber (43%), histidine (0.4%),
isoleucine (0.5%), leucine (1%), lignin (16%), linoleic acid
(12-22%), lysine (0.3%), methionine (0.6%), phenylalanine
(0.7%), proline (0.6%), protein (15-17%), serine (0.9%)
threonine (0.4%), tryptophan (up to 1.6%), tyrosine (0.4%),
valine (up to 0.8%) and other lesser constituents.
Gamma linolenic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. Gamma
linolenic acid (or GLA) aids the body to manufacture energy,
and it also helps to form parts of the structural fats that
encompass bone marrow, the brain, cell membranes and muscles.
Gamma linolenic acid is transformed by the body into
prostaglandins. Prostaglandins help the body because of their
anti-inflammatory properties. Prostaglandins can also act like
a blood thinner and blood vessel dilator. They are hormone-like
substances produced in the body's tissues.
Prostaglandin deficiency can result in disruption of the nerve
impulse transmission, increase blood clotting time,
inflammation and weaken immune response. Evening primrose oil
with a high concentration of gamma linolenic acid is favorable
for ailments related to essential fatty acid deficiency and the
inability to metabolize essential fatty acids.
Evening primrose oil is beneficial in the treatment of
arteriosclerosis, lowering blood cholesterol levels, asthma,
allergies, PMS, headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, skin
irritation, rashes, anxiety, water retention, breast soreness,
depression, coughs, irritability, and the prevention of benign
prostatic hypertrophy. It can also act as a stimulant for the
digestive system, liver and spleen.
Evening primrose oil has also been indispensable in the
treatment of acne, brittle nails, eczema, hyperactivity,
multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy and alcohol related
liver damage. There are other conditions where evening primrose
is currently being tested for effectiveness, including breast
cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder, stomach ulcers and inflammatory
bowel disease.
Scientists have said that the studies on evening primrose have
been promising, however there is not enough conclusive data
available at this time. People with seizure disorders should
only use omega-6 supplements of any kind, under the care and
supervision of a licensed medical doctor, because omega-6
including gamma linolenic acid has had reports of inducing
seizures in seizure-vulnerable persons.
When purchasing evening primrose oil it is important that the
company states the percentages of gamma linolenic acid as well
as the percentage of linoleic acid. Most quality oils will have
between 7-10% GLA and 40-75% LA (the higher the percentages the
better). If the company you are ordering the evening primrose
oil does not list the GLA or LA content with their product it
is advised to call them and get the percentage information on
the 2 major constituent levels in their evening primrose oil.
The best evening primrose contains 10.3% gamma linolenic acid
and 75% linoleic acid, available as carrier oil. Evening
primrose can be used all over the body. Use it as a base to
blend a therapeutic mix of essential oils for your specific
ailment or as facial and body treatment to combat acne, dry,
scared, mature, discolored and irritated skin. Of course it can
also be used alone to produce beneficial therapeutic action.
Evening primrose is a beautiful flowering plant, and an
invaluable therapeutic emollient for general well being.
About The Author: Florapathics researches the alternative
health benefits of essential oil for use in organic
aromatherapy products. Find information on evening primrose oil
at http://www.florapathics.com
Back To:
All About: Herbs, Spices & Berries
Choose Natural Health Site Map
Find More Free Natural Health Information
