Side Effects of Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil is extracted from its plant, named so because of the time of day when its flower opens. The oil from the plant is said to reduce inflammation, menstrual cramping and help keep breast cancer at bay. But there are side effects as well from this natural remedy.

Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil

• Evening primrose oil has some known benefits. It has been used for years to counter inflammation. It has an essential fatty acid, known as gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, and is thought to have the fewest amount of side effects for GLA. It can treat skin conditions as well from rosacea to acne. It's also been reported to be helpful in reversing nerve damage caused by diabetic neuropathy.

Some general side effects from Evening Primrose Oil

• There are some general side effects which have been reported from use of evening primrose oil. Loose stools, headaches, nausea, bloating or gastrointestinal upset can be some general symptoms from usage.

Epilepsy patients should not take Evening Primrose Oil

• Those who suffer from epilepsy should avoid evening primrose oil. It has triggered seizures in those who contend with seizure disorders.

Evening Primrose Oil for schizophrenia and manic patients

• Schizophrenics and manics should also avoid evening primrose oil. It may interfere with medications and bring on epileptic symptoms in the temporal lobe of the brain. It may worsen symptoms in manic patients.

Tips for pregnant and nursing women

• Pregnant women should avoid evening primrose oil as well as nursing mothers, for the effect it can have on breast milk.

Evening Primrose Oil as a sunburn application

• Evening primrose oil has been used topically to treat sunburn, and topical application may cause skin rashes.