Information on Evening Primrose
| Latin Name |
| Oenothera biennis |
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| Affects |
| Blood, Immune system |
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| Dosages |
| Capsules: 250 to 500 mg daily |
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| Botanical Information |
| A tall biennial weed with large yellow flowers in the Evening Primrose family, turning into short spike-like capsules that produce numerous small brown seeds. |
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| Description |
Evening primrose oil is used quite successfully for psoriasis and eczema. It is widely used for PMS and arthritis, though the studies are less convincing for these two uses. It is often effective for reducing breast tenderness associated with the menstrual cycle. Other uses, which include lowering serum cholesterol and reducing hyperactivity in children, are not fully substantiated. The oil is rich in essential fatty acids, including GLA (gamma linolenic acid), which is an intermediary in prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandins are local-acting hormone-like substances that control inflammation among other functions.
Evening Primrose has a taste of BITTER and a temperature of COOL. |
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| References |
| Newall, C. et al.. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.
Leung, A. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.
McGuffin, M. et al. 1997. Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Felter, H.W. and J.U. Lloyd. 1983. (1898). King's Dispensatory. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Weiss, R. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers.
Wren, R.C. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs. Essex: C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd.
Reynolds, J., ed. 1993. Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.
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Ailments treated by Evening Primrose
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