The Amazing Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil!

The Amazing Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil!

Mar 1, 2019

What is evening primrose oil?

Evening primrose is a yellowish-flower plant. The oil extracted from its seed is known as the evening primrose oil (EPO).

Why is it used?

It is a very good source of omega-6: gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and linoleic acid (LA). GLA is known as the essential fatty acids which necessary for normal cell structure and body function. It is called “essential” because our body unable to produce it, and thus must be obtained from food or supplement.

Why choose EPO?

Although omega-6 GLA can found from several sources such as borage oil, blackcurrant oil, and even fungal oil, none of these oils are as intensively studied as EPO.

Why should I take EPO?

EPO is used for centuries due to its amazing benefits on beauty and health. After ingestion, GLA is converted to prostaglandins (a hormone-like substance) which vital for various important functions:

Improve skin conditions – Intake of EPO can reduce skin fatigue by increasing skin moisture and elasticity, hence form a smoother and firmer skin. Besides, EPO supplement added with sufficient dose of Vitamin E (a natural antioxidant) can aids in neutralizing free radicals, thus protecting skin from oxidation damage.
Balance the hormones – Omega-6 fatty acids support hormone function. During the pre-menstrual period, women experiencing breast pain, bloating, water retention, menstrual cramp, mood swing, and irritability are usually having low GLA level in their body. Intake of EPO helps to enhance this GLA level, and overall aids to improve pre-menstrual syndromes¹. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce inflammation and menstrual cramp.
Reduce symptoms of eczema – GLA helps reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin epidermis, and thus prevents excessive water loss and drying of skin. As a result, intake of evening primrose oil helps reduce swelling, itchiness, and dryness of the skin².
Reduce hot flash – Hot flash, generally described as a sudden feeling of intense warmth, is a common condition for most menopausing women. This is due to changes in hormone level that affects the regulation of the body’s temperature. Menopausal women taking EPO have reported to experience lesser frequency of hot flashes at night time³.
Prevent diabetes-associated nerve damage – Nerve damage is one of the common complications for those with diabetes. Ingestion of GLA can help improve membrane structure, blood flow and nerves conduction in the body⁴.

Now, you knew about the vital information on evening primrose oil and its benefits. What’s for procrastination? Let’s grab the evening primrose oil product for yourself and your loved ones!

References

Pruthi, S., et.al., 2010. Vitamin E and evening primrose oil for management of cyclical mastalgia: a randomized pilot study. Altern Med Rev., 15(1):59-67
Kerscher, M.J., Korting, H.C., 1992. Treatment of atopic eczema with evening primrose oil: rationale and clinical results. Clin Investig., 70(2):167-171
Farzaneh, F., Fatehi, S., Sohrabi, M.R., Alizadeh, K., 2013. The effect of oral evening primrose oil on menopausal hot flashes: a randomized clinical trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet., 288(5):1075-1079
Halat, K.M., Dennehy, C.E., 2003. Botanicals and dietary supplements in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. J Am Board Fam Pract.,16(1):47-57