Medicinal Uses of Evening Primrose

Evening primrose, or "sun drop," is one of North America's indigenous healers. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center website, evening primrose root was a common part of the Native American diet and the flowers were often used in poultices for skin disorders. Today the flower and leaves of the plant are used in salad recipes, but it is the seeds that hold the key to healing. Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds and sold as oil or capsules that are taken orally.

Skin Disorders

• Evening primrose oil (EPO) is use topically to treat a number of skin disorders. Most of the disorders the oil is noted for healing involve redness and itchy--eczema, dermatitis, rashes associated with allergic reactions and abrasions. The healing benefits are ascribed to the high levels of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) present in the seed, according to Medline Plus, a website published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. GLA is an essential omega-6 fatty acid that is not produced by the body.

Pre-menstrual Syndrome

• EPO has long been known for relieving the symptoms of PMS, particularly breast tenderness or pain. The U.S. National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus website states "... the available information does not allow recommendation for or against the use of primrose oil in (breast pain) condition." However the website does make reference to European countries using EPO for breast pain. EPO may also alleviate the bloating associated with PMS.

Diabetic Neuropathy

• Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage associated with diabetes. The symptoms include numbness and tingling in the legs and feet. The condition may also cause a burning sensation or pain in the lower extremities. EPO may relieve some of the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. The University of Maryland Medical Center lists EPO as possibly having a positive affect on Multiple Sclerosis, another disease that targets the nervous system.