CONTENTS
The evening primrose is a fairly popular plant in our fields and meadows. But don't let that fool you. Despite its relative popularity, it has truly exceptional properties. Of course, we're talking about healing properties as well as visual appeal. Evening primrose leaves reflect moonlight beautifully and sparkle in the dark. This unusual phenomenon gives it the name evening primrose or moon garden plant. However, don't let this charm overshadow what lies hidden within the evening primrose, as its health-promoting properties are also exceptional.
Biennial evening primrose - basic information
The evening primrose belongs to the primrose family, which includes almost 30 species. As the name suggests, it is a biennial plant that blooms from June to August. Interestingly, individual species are extremely difficult to distinguish because of the numerous hybrids that arise within them. The evening primrose's original habitat was North America. In the 17th century, it found its way to Europe, from where it quickly began to spread to ever larger areas of land. It can now be found almost everywhere except Antarctica. Interestingly, the status of the biennial evening primrose in this country is still unclear. However, it is closest to the cenophyte. It is a plant species of alien origin that, however, adapts well to the ecosystem and is actually part of the native flora. It grows up to one meter tall, and its most valuable part is undoubtedly the seeds. From these, the popular oil is pressed.
Evening primrose seed oil - medicinal substances
Currently, practically the only raw material of evening primrose used in medicine is the oil from its seeds. This is no surprise, since the seeds themselves contain many health-promoting compounds. Evening primrose seed oil contains mainly essential fatty acids (EFAs). We're talking about gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and linoleic acid (LA). These acids belong to the omega-6 fatty acid family and can be helpful in supporting the treatment of various diseases. These include rheumatic diseases, fractures, and other mechanical damage to joints or ligaments. They also have a positive effect on metabolism and can be helpful in reducing body weight. In addition to essential fatty acids, evening primrose oil contains many other fatty acids. Examples include oleic, palmitic, and stearic acid. But that's not the end of its goodness. There are also significant amounts of plant phytosterols, polyphenols, and triglycerides. In addition, enzymes and many minerals—zinc, phosphorus, calcium, selenium, potassium, and manganese. When it comes to vitamins, evening primrose oil is a good source of vitamins E and F. Yes, there is vitamin F! It may not be the most popular vitamin and we rarely hear about it. Nevertheless, it is of particular importance for the condition of hair, skin, and nails. For this reason, it is added to all kinds of cosmetics. It's worth noting that vitamin F is actually a combination of two fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA). In addition to evening primrose oil, we also find it in other vegetable fats, nuts, and seeds.
Evening primrose and cardiovascular diseases
Thanks to its high content of essential fatty acids and triglycerides, evening primrose oil can be a remedy for cardiovascular diseases. It can significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels and also contribute to lowering blood pressure. Furthermore, the active ingredients it contains prevent excessive fat deposits in the veins and arteries, thus reducing the risk of future atherosclerosis. A similar effect is found in the oil-based plant phytosterols. They can also reduce the absorption of LDL cholesterol and act as anticoagulants. This reduces not only the risk of atherosclerosis, but also coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Evening primrose oil for the digestive system
Many of the compounds found in evening primrose oil have a positive effect on our digestive system. They can improve digestive processes and thus facilitate the absorption of nutrients from food. Evening primrose oil can also be helpful in relieving certain digestive system disorders, such as intestinal inflammation, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. It also supports the liver and protects it from excess fat. Gamma-linolenic acid, on the other hand, is an excellent metabolism booster. In addition to its aforementioned properties—improving digestive processes—evening primrose oil can be helpful in reducing body weight. Interestingly, this acid has another very interesting property: It activates the brown adipose tissue present in our body, which is responsible for burning unnecessary yellow adipose tissue. Women have more brown adipose tissue and therefore lose weight more effectively than men.
Evening Primrose Oil - Mental Health Benefits
Evening primrose oil can have a significant impact on our mental health and more. It has been shown to have a positive effect in relieving depression, anxiety, deep sadness, or weakness. However, it should be remembered that it is not a medicine in itself, but rather a complement to pharmacotherapy. In addition, the fatty acids it contains support brain function, memory, and concentration. Thanks to this property, the oil of this plant is recommended for children, the elderly, but also for people who study and do mental work. It can also reduce hyperactivity in children and alleviate possible symptoms of ADHD. The same applies to migraine headaches. It can relieve the symptoms of the migraine itself, but also reduce the frequency of attacks. It is also used to treat schizophrenia, drug-resistant epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Raynaud's disease.
Evening primrose oil - effect on the skin
Evening primrose oil has been used as an ingredient in many cosmetics . Its high content of fatty acids and vitamin E can improve the condition of our skin. They slow the aging process and have a moisturizing effect. Gamma-linolenic acid itself helps against dry skin, as well as various irritations and inflammations. It can also stimulate cell division in the skin, hair, and nails. This accelerates cell growth, reduces brittleness, and affects the overall appearance. It also strengthens hair follicles, which prevents excessive hair loss. It's also worth knowing that evening primrose oil can be helpful in the fight against psoriasis and eczema.
Evening Primrose - Effects on Women's Health
Evening primrose, as well as the oil from its seeds, can be beneficial for maintaining women's health. The fatty acids it contains contribute to maintaining proper hormonal balance. They will also certainly be useful for relieving menstrual pain, mood swings, and reducing prostaglandin levels, which are responsible for heavy menstrual bleeding. Interestingly, there is some evidence that evening primrose oil is helpful in getting pregnant. The compounds contained in the oil can increase mucus production during ovulation. This condition significantly increases the chances of conception. However, even during pregnancy, it has a positive effect on the development of the child. More specifically, it helps with the proper formation of the young nervous system and also reduces the tendency to allergies in the future. Interestingly, breast milk contains more unsaturated fatty acids during breastfeeding and when supplemented with evening primrose oil. It is also beneficial for women going through menopause. This is due to the oil's ability to reduce anxiety, hot flashes, and breast pain.
Evening primrose oil - dosage and contraindications
Evening primrose oil is extremely healthy, but it's still worth using in moderation . While there are no such restrictions for external use, such as on hair, the daily dose for evening primrose oil capsules ranges from 2-6 tablets. This corresponds to approximately 170-230 mg of gamma-linolenic acid. However, in the case of liquid oil, the dose is 6 g of GLA per day. Therefore, you should check the packaging for the content of this acid. However, there are several contraindications. Evening primrose oil should not be used by children under 12 years of age, people with blood clotting problems, or patients preparing for surgery. It's worth noting that pregnant and breastfeeding women should still discuss the use of the oil with a doctor. The same applies to patients who regularly take medication for cardiovascular disease.
Summary
Evening primrose , or the oil extracted from its seeds, can be an effective remedy for a wide variety of ailments. However, keep in mind that it's not a medicine per se, but merely a complementary therapy. That doesn't change the fact that it can be a tremendous support for our bodies. It's truly surprising that this unassuming plant growing in our neighborhood hides so many secrets. Positive secrets.
