Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds and flowers of a plant that is native to North America. For centuries people have been using this plant for the treatment of sore throats, hemorrhoids, bruises, and various other digestive problems.
Primrose evening oil is a powerhouse of gamma-linolenic acid which is an omega-6 fatty acid. This oil is mostly available in the market in the form of a supplement and can be applied to the body.
Give this article a read to learn more about the benefits of evening primrose oil and how to use it in the right manner.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil
Primrose evening oil supplements can be used to control high cholesterol levels in the body, PMS, acne, and many other conditions. Here is a look at some of the benefits of evening primrose oil.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions are hands down one of the biggest hassles that people often suffer from. Some of the most common skin conditions are as follows:
- Eczema
- Alopecia areata
- Atopic dermatitis
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Acne
All of these conditions are known to cause severe discomfort and pain in people who have to deal with them. One of the best evening primrose oil uses is that it helps with itchiness and scaly skin.
Furthermore, doctors often recommend using evening primrose oil to treat conditions such as psoriasis ad acne. This oil helps to open the clogs and remove the dead skin cells as well.
Read more: Home remedies for the treatment of psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which a person suffers from severe joint pains and inflammation. This condition mainly occurs when a person’s immune system starts to misinterpret a healthy cell as an infectious agent and attacks it. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.
Eneving primrose oil is rich in GLA which can reduce the impact of discomfort. Dr. Umair Javaid who is a renowned rheumatologist often recommends his patients use this oil for instances of joint pain.
This fact is also backed by a review of studies that were published in Australia in 2011. The use of evening primrose oil proved to be beneficial in especially those patients that were taking NSAIDs.
The use of evening primrose oil with the medications leads to comfort and relief from joint pain.
when to take evening primrose oil morning or night?
The best time to take it is after a meal so that the body is able to absorb it properly.
Menopause
One of the common things that women suffer when they are going through menopause is hot flashes. These night sweats are extremely uncomfortable and disturbing especially as they interrupt the everyday lives of women. Hot flashes are mainly because of the reduced levels of estradiol in the body.
A premium benefit of evening primrose oil is that it helps to prevent and treat the symptoms of hot flashes in women.
Osteoporosis
Intake of unsaturated fats is said to increase the body’s ability to deal with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the body suffers from severe mineral loss. Most women suffer from this condition due to hormonal imbalances in the later stages of life, especially after menopause.
Medical health experts of Iqra Medical Complex also say that people should use evening primrose oil with fish oil, calcium supplements, and protein-rich foods. All of these things in combination can either slow or reverse the overall impact of the loss of bone density in women.
But the bone region on which this combination proves effective might differ from woman to woman and condition to condition of a person.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy means that a person has to deal with nerve damage which is a complication of diabetes. This condition causes severe pain in the feet, legs, and lower limbs. You can use primrose evening oil for instant relief in such matters.
When people with diabetic neuropathy were given evening primrose oil, their comfort level increased. Although further research and data are needed. Still, it is a promising finding for all those who are dealing with health complications. Moreover, you can also try this diabetic diet for controlling diabetes.
What are the Side Effects of Primrose Evening Oil?
Given below are some of the side effects of evening primrose oil that you need to keep in mind before using it:
- Upset stomach or poor digestive habits
- Dirrehea or constipation
- Headaches
- Nausea
Note that these side effects rarely happen, yet prevent is better than cure.
What are the Precautions and Drug Interactions of Primrose Evening Oil?
Although this is an effective supplement that can help to reduce the onset of pain in severe health complications, still you have to consult with your healthcare advisor regarding its usage.
Here are some risk factors related to evening primrose oil that you need to know about:
- Those who have bleeding disorders should not use evening primrose oil as it might increase the bleeding
- In case you have a pending surgery then you need to stop using primrose evening oil at least 2 weeks before the surgery
- Women who are expecting should stay away from the uses of evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil also interacts with HIV medications, anticoagulants, NSAIDs, and antipsychotic drugs.
A Word from Healthwire
Evening primrose oil has proven to be beneficial in various studies against a number of health conditions but still, more research is needed. Therefore, we advise you to be cautious regarding the benefits of evening primrose oil for the treatment of health complications.
If you are looking for further consultation you can reach out to the best nutritionists via healthwire. They will guide you properly in these matters.
Till then stay happy and stay cautious!
