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

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How Evening Primrose Can Help.

Evening Primrose Seed Extract INCI Name Oenothera Biennis Extract CAS 90028-66-3 EINECS ELINCS No 289-859-2 photo picture image Evening primrose can ease a variety of conditions, especially those resulting from an imbalance of essential fatty acids, inflammation of the skin, or an immune deficiency.

 Alcoholism. Studies suggest that EPO can help recovering alcoholics cope with withdrawal symptoms experienced during the first three weeks they stop drinking. Patients who take EPO may require fewer tranquilizers, and their livers may begin proper functioning more quickly. Research also shows, however, that the oil has no effect on preventing relapse.

 Arteriosclerosis. When cholesterol, lipid, and calcium deposits line the arteries, causing them to harden, arteriosclerosis is the dangerous result. When combined with a low-cholesterol diet, EPO shows promise in reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis, probably because it contains anticlotting compounds.

 Asthma. This disease causes wheezing and tightness in the bronchial airways. It's often triggered by an allergic reaction. People with asthma can breathe easier thanks to evening primrose leaves. They contain quercetin, a good remedy for asthma and hay fever sufferers alike.

 Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Evening primrose works for men as well as women. When the prostate gland becomes inflamed and grows larger in aging men, it can cause numerous side effects including urinary difficulties and impotence. This condition, BPH, is also called noncancerous prostate enlargement. Research indicates that 50 percent of men have some degree of prostate enlargement by age 50. Further, at least 90 percent of all men 70 to 90 years old, by some estimates, must contend with BPH and its symptoms. Thirty zpercent of them undergo surgery. Doctors take matters of the prostate very seriously because prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men of all ages.

 I bet my own prostate that herbs work better than prescribed medications or surgery to control prostate growth. (I really did. See chapter 14.) Science is showing I might be right. EPO was reported in the Journal of Urology to help prevent prostate problems because it acts as a powerful 5-alpha-reductase type II inhibitor, which helps reduce enlarged prostates. For my part, I'll continue taking EPO and saw palmetto to maintain my good prostate health. I'll also keep on adding the gritty, ground-up evening primrose seeds to my cornbread recipe as I've done for the last 15 years, off and on.

 Depression. Tryptophan, a chemical compound found in evening primrose seed, may help to alleviate depression, perhaps as well as--and surely as safely as--the synthetic alternatives, including Prozac. Tryptophan is a precursor of brain serotonin, known for its mood-boosting effects.

 Evening primroses are happy flowers. Just cultivating them tends to reduce stress and lift your spirits, and spending time outdoors in the sunshine also does wonders for your mental well-being.

 Diabetes. People with diabetes may experience a condition called diabetic neuropathy, which can cause loss of feeling in their extremities. Naturopaths often prescribe evening primrose oil because it's rich in tryptophan, which helps stimulate the central nervous system. Much of EPO's tryptophan is lost during the oil-extraction process, though, so I'd recommend powdered seeds instead.

 Eczema. Skin-soothing evening primrose oil is approved in the United Kingdom to treat eczema, a skin condition that causes inflammation, redness, itchiness, burning, and scabbing. Studies on laboratory animals have shown that the seed oil can reduce swelling. Research shows the oil's GLA can be effective when applied to other skin irritations such as dermatitis. I wouldn't hesitate to put a little EPO on a bug bite or rash, either.

 For eczema, take the herb orally. borage and black currant are also chock-full of GLA. They're available in capsule form and should be taken as directed by the manufacturer's instructions.

 Endometriosis. When the membrane that lines the uterus becomes inflamed, low back and abdominal pain, constipation, and vaginal discharge may occur. The natural remedies guides I respect the most mention EPO as a treatment for this condition. One clinical trial shows that 90 percent of women treated with gamma-linolenic acid experienced improvement. While it's true that EPO's compounds promote good health in women, I still think of evening primrose oil more as an herbal medicine to address PMS than for treating endometriosis because there is much more research to support it.

 High blood pressure. When blood pressure is higher than normal, the heart's workload is increased. My colleague David Horrobin, Ph.D., editor of the British journal Medical Hypotheses, who has written extensively about the nutritional and medical importance of GLA, reports that it is effective in lowering both cholesterol and blood pressure.

 High cholesterol. Elevated blood cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart disease. The GLA in evening primrose is reported to lower cholesterol levels. If I had high cholesterol, I'd eat a low-fat diet, quit smoking, and add EPO to my heart-healthy regimen.

 HIV. The life expectancy of HIV patients more than doubled when GLA and omega-3 fatty acids were included in their diets, according to studies done by researchers in Tanzania. Both GLA and omega-3 fatty acids are essential to maintaining cell structure membranes and making hormonelike substances known as eicosanoids, which help regulate blood pressure, blood clot formation, blood lipids, and the immune response to injury and infection. The body can make all other fatty acids except for these two, which must come from the diet. After reviewing the medical literature, I wholeheartedly believe that GLA can be a potent treatment for autoimmune disorders, including HIV. If I had it, I'd take EPO for its GLA and add fish oil or flax seed oil (the vegetarian option) to my diet. Both are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. I'd take EPO for another autoimmune disorder, Sj?gren's syndrome, too.

 Multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system, causing nerve damage, vision problems, and muscle weakness. British herbalist David L. Hoffmann, Ph.D. author of The Herbal Handbook, recommends EPO for MS.

 PMS. Discomforts such as irritability, bloating, breast soreness, and depression occur before and during menstruation in many women. Clinical studies show that the GLA found in evening primrose oil contains essential fatty acids that seem to alleviate symptoms. A good friend of mine, Steven Morris, N.D., a naturopathic physician who practices near Seattle, Washington, prescribes evening primrose for PMS to good effect.

 Raynaud's disease. Raynaud's disease is a condition that causes a loss of blood flow to the fingers, toes, nose, or ears. The affected areas turn white from the lack of circulation, then blue and cold, and finally numb. When the attack subsides, the affected parts may turn red and may throb, tingle, or swell. Research on GLA suggests that it can help relieve these symptoms. In one study, researchers massaged EPO into the fingers of people with the disease, and about half improved. I can't give EPO all the credit, though. I suspect that the massage helped to stimulate circulation, too.

 Rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with this condition complain of chronic inflammation, pain, and tightness in the muscles or joints. When given evening primrose oil in one clinical trial, patients showed significant improvement and experienced less pain and stiffness in the morning. If I had arthritis, I'd take EPO capsules and apply the evening primrose oil topically, too. I wouldn't hesitate to take it daily, either, since there's not much to fear from a food "farmaceutical" like this.

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last edit date:26th,June.2009.