Posted 3/16/07 |
||
| NAME: | Evening Primrose Oil |
 Comon Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis |
| DESCRIPTION: | Parts of the evening primrose plant have been used by Native American cultures for centuries, primarily to treat afflictions of the skin, and to speed the healing of bruises and other wounds.
The mature seeds of evening primrose contain approximately 7-10% gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a rare essential fatty acid (found also in black currant, borage, and hemp). |
|
| FUNCTION: | EPO (Evening Primrose oil) may have anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic activities, and is used for such ailments as arthritis, eczema, | |
| SOURCES: | The mature seeds of Common evening primrose or Evening star (Oenothera biennis), also less commonly known as: Weedy evening-primrose, German rampion, hog weed, King's cure-all, and fever-plant.
Common evening primrose is a relatively tall (3 to 4'), biennial wildflower (or weed, depending on your disposition), native to the Americas. Its hermaphrodite, pale yellow flowers bloom in summer, opening in the evening, hence the name. |
|
| DOSAGE: | ||
| DATA: | Evening Primrose oil is approved in the United Kingdom as a pharmaceutical treatment for eczema (atopic dermatitis) and mastalgia (breast pain). | |
| CAUTIONS: | Because of its possible inhibition of lymphocyte function, those with immune deficiency disorders, such as HIV/AIDS, should exercise caution in the use of EPO.
Those who should avoid using EPO include: pregnant or nursing women, persons with seizure disorders, those being treated with neuroleptic drugs, hemophliacs, those about to undergo surgery. Using Evening Primrose oil may cause gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea and bloating. Interactions may occur if evening primrose oil is used with supplements, herbs, or drugs that have antithrombotic activity, such as fish oils, garlic, ginko, warfarin, aspirin and NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - such as aspirin and ibuprofen). This may be manifested by nosebleeds and increased susceptibility to bruising. |
|
| FOR MORE INFORMATION: |
Physician's Desk Reference's entry on Evening Primrose Oil.
NYBC Supplement Fact Sheet on Essential Fatty Acids. |
|
| RELATED PRODUCTS: |
Evening Primrose 1300 (Jarrow Formulas) Each bottle, 60 softgels. Each softgel (1,300 mg) contains 135 mg of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), 935 mg oflinoleic acid (LA), 105 mg of oleic acid, and palmiticacid. Hexane free, cold pressed. Best kept refrigerated.
Evening Primrose + Gamma Tocopherol 500 (Jarrow) Each bottle, 250 softgels. Each softgel, 500 mg of evening primrose oil, (derived from Oenothera lamarchiana) with 45 mg of gamma linolenic acid as part of that. In addition, each softgel contains 7 mg of gamma tocopherol, a form of Vitamin E. |
|
| DISCLAIMER: | These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. | |
