Health Benefits of Evening Primrose

A Medicinal Plant Containing Powerful Supplements

Aug 16, 2009 Michele Kadison

Containing the essential fatty acid, Omega 6, Evening Primrose is an antioxidant used to treat women's health issues as well as supporting general health.

Evening Primrose has been used for centuries to treat women's health issues including hormonal imbalance, post menstrual stress, menstruation, breast pain, and symptoms of menopause. Containing GLA (gamma linolenic acid), which is beneficial in the regulation of hormones, the plant is also able to block the hormones that cause inflammation leading to cramping, tenderness in the breasts, and potential irritable bowel syndrome.

Evening Primrose for General Health

Containing the essential fatty acid, Omega 6, Evening Primrose has been used to treat a wide range of health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and hardening of the arteries. Evening Primrose is also effective for treating inflammation, including eczema and other skin irritations. In this case it can be applied as a cream made from the powdered stems. Evening Primrose is often used to lower blood cholesterol and is said to help defend against cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Evening Primrose: A Brief Medicinal History

As a powerful medicinal plant, Evening Primrose has been used by Native American Indians for centuries. As an extra benefit, Native Americans would rub the root of the plant on the soles of their feet in order to hide their smell, allowing them to approach animals during the hunt. In 17th Century England, Evening Primrose was known as "King's Cure-All" where it was considered a medicinal wonder perfect for tending to almost all physical ailments.

The Evening Primrose Plant

Evening Primrose grows up to 5 feet tall and has a reddish, hairy stem with leaves measuring from 3 to 6 inches long. The leaves have a fresh, lemony scent and are delicious when steamed or sautéed or made into a tea. The fibrous root can be boiled or steamed and tastes something like a potato. Evening Primrose's flowers come in bright yellow, pink, or white and open in the evening to reveal their bloom from June to September. The plant's seeds can be pulverized in a blender and added to foods to boost flavor and enhance nutrition.

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose oil is made from an extraction of the plant's seeds. Coming in either liquid or capsule form, doses from 500 to 2,400 milligrams taken on a daily basis are recommended depending on your need. Because Evening Primrose Oil contains essential fatty acids, it can be an important supplement for diets that are deficient in GLA. If you suffer from menstrual cramps or pre/post menopausal symptoms, Evening Primrose Oil can provide you with relief and balance.

Precautions

Consult with your healthcare practitioner to determine the appropriate dose of Evening Primrose Oil. Though rare, allergic reactions to Evening Primrose can occur, causing gastro-intestinal upset or headache. Note that Evening Primrose is not the same as "Primrose," so watch for this when purchasing your product.

The copyright of the article Health Benefits of Evening Primrose in Nutrition is owned by Michele Kadison. Permission to republish Health Benefits of Evening Primrose in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Evening Primrose in the wild