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Evening Primrose
What is Evening Primrose?
Evening primrose, named so for its habit of opening its blooms at dusk, is
a biennial herb that is common in North America. Evening primrose is considered
to be a complex of several closely related species and is also known by the
names Evening Star, King's-cure-all, Night Willow Herb and Scabish.
Evening primrose is a member of the Onagraceae family and produces a large
number of highly fertile seeds, from which fatty oil is obtained, and used in
herbal medicine.
Evening primrose contains linolenic acid (LA) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA),
essential ingredients in the vital production of hormone-like compounds that
are in constant use throughout the body, controlling the way we feel and rejuvenating
cells. The compounds need to be replenished regularly, however production can
be blocked or seriously slowed down by the lifestyle and diet of the modern
world. The high GLA content in Evening primrose may help to keep these hormone
compounds high in the body.
What are the benefits and uses of Evening Primrose?
The flowers, leaves, and stem bark of evening primrose have been found to have
astringent (drawing tissue together) and sedative properties and is used by
herbalists to treat some of the following conditions:
- Whooping cough
- Asthma,
- Discomfort of rheumatic disorders.
- Treatment of eczema
- Breast tenderness.
- Multiple sclerosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis, intermittent claudication
Evening primrose also has the following effects:
- Lowering of blood pressure
- Preventing the clumping of platelets
- Relieving Premenstrual problems
- Weight loss without dieting
- Lowering blood cholesterol
- Alleviation of hangovers
What is the right dosage of Evening Primrose to use?
Evening Primrose is available as an oil extract and capsule. As an oil the
dosage of Evening Primrose may vary, but a common amount to use is 1 ml of evening
primrose oil three times a day. For Capsules take 1 or 2 capsules 3 times a
day.
What are the side effects of Evening Primrose?
Schizophrenic patients should not consume evening primrose oil as the combination
may increase the risk of epileptic seizure. Other drugs, such as antidepressants,
may also lower the seizure threshold and thus might interact with evening primrose.
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