Evening Primrose's Effects on Eczema

Herbs have been used for centuries to treat medical conditions. One of these herbs is evening primrose. Evening primrose oil has a variety of medicinal uses, and one of the conditions that it shows the most promise for is atopic dermatitis or eczema. Eczema is a chronic skin condition that is characterized by painful inflammation and itching.

Evening primrose

• Evening primrose is a wildflower that is native to North America, but also grows in parts of the southern hemisphere and Europe. It gets it name from the fact that it has yellow flowers that bloom only in the evening. Oil is extracted from the seeds of evening primrose and placed in capsules. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, which is an omega-6 essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids are substances that are required by the body, but can not be produced by the body. Essential fatty acids must be obtained through diet or supplements.

Eczema

• Eczema is a common skin condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a chronic condition that can be accompanied by asthma and hay fever. It causes itchy inflammation and scaling that can affect any area of the body, but usually appears on the arms and behind the knees. It is usually seen in infants and children, but it can first appear in adulthood. The cause of eczema is unknown, but it may be caused by a combination of dry, irritated skin along with a malfunction in the body's immune system. Stress and other emotional disorders can exacerbate eczema, but they don't cause it.

Function

• Evening primrose oil is used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual pain, menopausal symptoms and cancer. It has shown the most promise in inflammatory skin conditions, and according to the NCCAM, evening primrose oil has been used since the 1930s to treat eczema. According to the Mayo Clinic, evening primrose is approved for skin disorders outside the U.S., but larger, well-designed studies are needed. The NCCAM states that evening primrose has a "moderate" benefit in the relief of eczema. It is believed to be effective because gamma-linolenic acid may reduce the itchiness and inflammation associated with eczema.

Dosage

• Evening primrose oil is sold in capsule form at health and nutritional stores. For the relief of eczema, a daily dosage of 4 to 6 grams of evening primrose oil is recommended. Children under 18 should consume no more than 3 grams a day.

Warnings

• Side effects of evening primrose can include gastrointestinal upset and headaches. Persons with a seizure disorder should not take evening primrose oil because it may interact with certain seizure medications. If you are undergoing surgery with general anesthesia, you should not take evening primrose oil because it my put you at risk of having a seizure. You should not take evening primrose oil if you have a bleeding disorder.