Alternative healthcare providers believe that evening primrose oil can aid in the treatment of numerous health conditions, including acne, diabetic neuropathy, eczema, osteoporosis, psoriasis, premenstrual syndrome PMS , and rheumatoid arthritis. Evening primrose oil is not an essential oil commonly used for aromatherapy, and it is one that can be consumed orally. Evening primrose oil has been promoted as an effective treatment for a variety of ailments, including eczema and breast pain, since the s.
Some the claims are better supported by research than others. Evening primrose oil has long been used by women to treat hot flashes during menopause. While the body of evidence remains mixed, a study in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics found that a daily, milligram dose of evening primrose oil provided modest relief of hot flashes after six weeks. Although the severity of hot flashes improved when compared to women provided a placebo , the duration and frequency of the episodes did not.
Evening primrose oil is also sometimes used to alleviate menstrual cramps and PMS. In the s, evening primrose oil was heavily touted as an effective treatment for eczema by Canadian entrepreneur David Horrobin Despite a positive response from consumers, many of the claims have since been debunked in research. According to a review of studies from the University of Minnesota Medical School, evening primrose oil proved no more effective in treating atopic eczema than a placebo in each of the seven reviewed trials.
Many of the same conclusions have been drawn when investigating the effectiveness of evening primrose oil in treating psoriasis or acne. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune arthritis primarily affecting the joints. Some studies have suggested that GLA can reduce pain and improve function in people with mild to moderate rheumatoid arthritis. A review of studies from Australia concluded that GLA found in evening primrose, borage seed , or blackcurrant seed oil provided "moderate" relief of pain and disability in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
The most promising results were seen in people who concurrently used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , triggering a modest improvement in morning stiffness and joint articulation. An increased intake of unsaturated fat is associated with a reduced risk of osteoporosis bone mineral loss , especially in postmenopausal women. Primrose oil is made up almost entirely of unsaturated fat and is believed by some to counter the bone loss seen in women with osteoporosis.
An month study from South Africa reported that the combined use of primrose oil, fish oil, and calcium supplements either slowed or reversed bone loss in older women average age 79 compared to a control group of similar-aged women given a placebo. According to the research, women given primrose oil, fish oil, and calcium experienced an increase of femoral thigh bone density of 1. Since then, there has been evidence to support some of these claims. A month study from India, involving 80 people with severe diabetic neuropathy, concluded that a daily to 1,milligram dose of evening primrose oil combined with milligrams of vitamin E achieved pain relief in 88 percent of the participants.
However promising, the conclusions were limited by the lack of a control placebo group to make an evaluative comparison. Still, the findings were significant enough to warrant further research.
Like most supplements, there hasn't been much research assessing the long-term safety of evening primrose oil. In some cases, primrose oil may cause side effects such as stomach upset, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Evening primrose oil should be used cautiously if you have certain medical conditions. Among them:. Evening primrose oil can interact with a significant number of medications, either reducing the drug's efficacy or triggering side effects.
Advise your healthcare provider if you are taking evening primrose oil—or any supplement—to avoid drug interactions and potentially serious side effects. Since it is a dietary supplement, there are no universal guidelines directing the appropriate use of evening primrose oil. EPO is also used as a traditional herbal remedy to relieve the itching associated with dry skin conditions.
One study found taking EPO for six weeks could relieve the frequency, intensity and length of hot flushes. The women in the study also reported a significant improvement in their sense of wellbeing. Many women take EPO for PMS symptoms, such as water retention, breast tenderness and low mood; the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists reports that it can ease breast tenderness.
The European Medicines Agency says EPO can be used to relieve itching in short-term and long-term dry skin conditions, 12 and is often taken by people with eczema to help prevent dry, itchy skin. But a Cochrane Review concluded evening primrose oil is no more effective than a placebo in treating eczema.
EPO is often used by those with rheumatoid arthritis to ease pain and stiffness. One study found taking it helped ease morning stiffness in patients with the condition. Increased levels of unsaturated fat are linked with a reduced risk of osteoporosis bone mineral loss , especially in postmenopausal women. Initial studies have concluded that taking 2g of evening primrose oil twice a day for 12 weeks improves itchy skin in some people with disorders affecting bile flow in the liver.
One initial study found that taking a specific combination of evening primrose and fish oil may potentially reduce CFS-like symptoms that occur after a viral infection. However, in another study in people with a confirmed diagnosis of CFS, the same product was no better than a placebo sugar pill.
Early research has indicated that taking a specific evening primrose product — 3g a day for 6 months - improves dry eye symptoms in female contact lens-wearers. The most common side effects are temporary gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, fullness, or nausea. Evening primrose oil may increase the effects of the HIV medicine lopinavir.
As with all dietary supplements, talk with your health care provider before taking evening primrose oil if you are taking any kind of medicine. Keep in Mind. Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use.
Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions. For More Information. Toll-free in the U. Office of Dietary Supplements ODS , National Institutes of Health NIH ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public.
Key References. Oral evening primrose oil and borage oil for eczema. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. More research is needed.
According to a study , those taking EPO had a slightly higher systolic blood pressure. Heart disease kills more than , people in the United States each year.
Hundreds of thousands more are living with the condition. Some people are turning to natural remedies, such as EPO, to help. According to a study on rats, EPO is anti-inflammatory and helps reduce blood cholesterol.
Use with caution if you take other medications that affect the heart. Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of diabetes and other conditions.
Older research has shown that taking linolenic acid helps reduce neuropathy symptoms, such as:. Bone pain is often caused by rheumatoid arthritis , a chronic inflammatory disorder. According to a systematic review , the GLA in EPO has the potential to reduce rheumatoid arthritis pain without causing unwanted side effects.
EPO is generally considered safe for most people to use short term. When choosing EPO, research the supplement as well as the company selling the product. If you take blood thinners, EPO may increase bleeding. Topical EPO is often used to help prepare the cervix for delivery. But according to the Mayo Clinic , a study reported taking EPO orally slowed dilation and was associated with longer labor.
Talk to your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits of taking EPO and get advice about the proper dosage for you. To reduce your risks for side effects, always use the lowest dose possible.
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