Evening Primrose:What about its aroma essentials and natural gamma-linolenic acid.

Evening Primrose Oil and Other GLAs.

Evening Primrose Seed Extract INCI Name Oenothera Biennis Extract CAS 90028-66-3 EINECS ELINCS No 289-859-2 photo picture image Evening Primrose Oil has been called the most sensational preventive discovery since vitamin C. It contains the pain relieving compound phenylalanine and is increasingly being used to treat chronic headaches. It is currently being studied all over the world as a treatment for aging problems, alcoholism, acne, heart disease, hyperactivity in children, multiple sclerosis, weight control, obesity, PMS and schizophrenia. It has so many preventive and therapeutic qualities that it has become a standard part of recommendations of many herbalist for maintaining youth and preventing disease.

Evening Primrose Oil contains a high concentration of a fatty acid called GLA and it is this fatty acid that is largely responsible for the remarkable healing properties of the plant. In fact, Evening Primrose contains one of the highest concentrations known of this important substance and only a few other plants contain it at all. This makes Evening Primrose an important medicinal herb, and as studies continue, the list of benefits will likely become much longer. The gamma-linoleic acid, linoleic acid and other nutrients in this oil are essential for cell structure and improve the elasticity of the skin. These fatty acids also help to regulate hormones and improve nerve function aiding problems ranging from PMS to migraine headaches. The hormone balancing effect contributes to healthy breast tissue.

Evening primrose, starflower (borage) and blackcurrant seed oils are rich sources of an essential fatty acid derivative, gammalinolenic acid (GLA). Although the MCA recently restricted GPs' ability to prescribe evening primrose oil due to a supposed lack of evidence of clinical efficacy, millions of people find GLA supplements beneficial, world wide, for maintaining general skin quality, relieving dry itchy skin and for helping to relieve premenstrual syndrome. It can take up to 3 months to notice a beneficial effect.

What is GLA?

GLA is an intermediary in the conversion of the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, to series 1 and 2 prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These are involved in many metabolic reactions, helping to mediate inflammation, blood clotting, hormone balance and immune responses. The only people who should not take EPO are those who are allergic to it and those with a rare disorder known as temporal lobe epilepsy as it may make their condition worse (although it has been used diagnostically to differentiate between TLE and schizophrenia).

GLA and Eczema:

A common causes of wide spread itching and dry flaky skin in older people (xerosis) is a lack of dietary essential fatty acids. This may also worse symptoms in people with eczema. A review of nine studies reported up to 1989 found that evening primrose oil frequently reduced the symptoms of eczema after several months of use, with the greatest improvement seen in reducing the level of itching. A positive correlation was found between improvements in clinical score and a rise in fatty acid levels. In a double blind, cross-over study in which adults with eczema received either 2g, 4g or 6g EPO daily, and children took either 2g or 4g EPO daily, significant clinical improvement, especially at the higher intakes.

GLA and Hormone Imbalances:

Many women take EPO to help maintain healthy hormone balance, and some evidence suggests it is helpful in premenstrual syndrome. Although not all results are consistent, EPO is undoubtedly helpful for some women. For example, one study found supplements relieved bloating and mastalgia in 95% of women, irritability in 80%, low mood in 74%, swollen peripheries in 79% and anxiety in 53%. It is also taken for both cyclical and non-cyclical breast pain (mastalgia). The Cardiff Mastalgia Clinic reported that 92% of 324 patients with cyclical mastalgia and 64% of 90 women with non-cyclical mastalgia obtained a clinically useful response to therapy. Danazol was the most effective drug, with bromocriptine and evening primrose oil having equivalent efficacy. Adverse events were much less common with EPO than danazol or bromocriptine, however.

GLA and Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Essential fatty acids appear to offer benefits for people with rheumatoid arthritis. In one trial, 60% taking GLA were able to stop NSAID therapy completely, while another 25% were able to cut their NSAID dose in half. Interestingly, taking both evening primrose and fish oils together was only slightly more effective than taking EPO alone. Later studies using higher doses found GLA was able to reduce the number of joints that were tender or swollen.

Relieve the discomforts of PMS, menstruation, endometriosis and fibrocystic breasts:

By interfering with the production of inflammatory prostaglandins released during menstruation, the GLA in evening primrose oil can help to lessen menstrual cramps. It may also minimise premenstrual breast tenderness, irritable bowel flare-ups, and carbohydrate cravings, and help to control endometriosis-associated inflammation. Many PMS sufferers are found to have unusually low levels of GLA in their systems, which is why supplements might help so much. In women with fibrocystic breasts, the oil's essential fatty acids can minimise breast inflammation and promote the absorption of iodine, a mineral that can be present in abnormally low levels in women with this condition.

Ease the joint pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis:

Supplementation with evening primrose oil and other sources of GLA has been shown to lessen the joint pain and swelling of this crippling disease. A six-month study reported fewer signs of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers taking capsules containing GLA than in those taking a placebo. In another trial, the number of tender joints and swollen joints dropped significantly with GLA but not with a placebo.

Prevent diabetes-associated nerve damage:

Research indicates that the GLA in evening primrose oil can help prevent, and in some cases even reverse, the nerve damage (neuropathy) so commonly seen with diabetes. In a year-long study, such symptoms as numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation in participants with mild diabetic neuropathy were less marked in those who took evening primrose oil than in those who took a placebo.

Reduce the symptoms of eczema:

In some cases, eczema develops when the body has problems converting dietary fats into GLA. Getting supplemental GLA from evening primrose oil may therefore be helpful.

Some studies indicate that this oil can outperform a placebo in relieving eczema-related inflammation, as well as the itching, oozing, and flaking associated with this condition. By taking GLA, eczema sufferers may tolerate reduced doses of steroid creams and drugs, many of which cause unpleasant side effects.

Help treat acne and rosacea:

By working to dilute sebum, a thick oily substance that is oversecreted in some people with acne, the essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil may reduce the risk of pores becoming clogged and lesions developing. The oil's EFAs help treat rosacea by reducing inflammation, controlling cells' use of nutrients and by producing prostaglandins, which stimulate the contraction of blood vessels.

Combat damage from multiple sclerosis:

The abundant supply of essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil may be valuable in minimizing the inflammation associated with this progressive nerve disorder. The fatty acids may also contribute to healthy nerve development when taken over time.

Treat Alzheimer's-related memory deficiencies:

By boosting the transmission of nerve impulses, evening primrose oil may be valuable in treating this progressive brain disorder.

Counter impotence and female infertility:

By promoting blood flow, the GLA in evening primrose oil can help treat a primary cause of male impotence; compromised circulation leading to impaired penile blood flow. The oil is often taken with vitamin C and ginkgo biloba for this purpose. In addition, when the oil is taken long term, GLA can help prevent blood vessel narrowing, often a consequence of plaque buildup from high cholesterol. By improving uterine function, GLA may also help those who are unable to conceive.

Nourish nails, scalp, and hair:

The rich stores of essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil not only prevent nails from cracking but also help to keep them generally healthy. In addition, the essential fatty acids nourish the scalp, making the supplement potentially valuable in treating a variety of hair problems.

Prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms:

GLA prompts the brain to produce a specific type of prostaglandin called prostaglandin E, which works to prevent withdrawal symptoms such as depression and seizures by indirectly protecting the liver and nervous system.

Other Benefits:

Various studies have suggested that GLA may be helpful in chronic fatigue and inflammatory bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis. It was also suggested, just this year, that dietary supplementation with combined fish and plant derived fatty acids such as evening primrose oil is more effective in combating heart disease than taking fish oil supplements alone.

Research in many countries has confirmed that, even in normal pregnancy, a mother's essential fatty acid status is marginal, with low levels that tend to fall lower with each successive pregnancy. Anecdotal evidence suggests that taking EPO during pregnancy may help to reduce the formation of stretch marks by maintaining the suppleness of skin and connective tissue cell membranes.

Reference:

1.Evening Primrose:What about its aroma essentials and natural gamma-linolenic acid.

last edit date:9th,Mar.2010.

Available Product

Name:Evening Primrose Extract
Serie No:P039
Specifications:10:1 TLC.
INCI Name:SPINACIA OLERACEA EXTRACT
EINECS/ELINCS No.:290-336-6
CAS:90131-25-2
Chem/IUPAC Name:Spinacia Oleracea Extract is an extract of the leaves of the spinach,Spinacia oleracea,Chenopodiaceae

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