What Are the Benefits of Evening Primrose?

Evening primrose has been used for centuries as a tonic and herbal cure for a variety of ailments. Recently however, evening primrose has gained recognition for its seed oil. The seed oil is high in essential fatty acids that are important for health and physical well-being.

Herb Benefits

• Evening primrose herbal preparations are used as an astringent and a nervine. The flowers, bark and roots are made into tinctures and extractions.

Evening Primrose Oil

• The essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil help to regulate inflammation, reduce blood pressure, regulate pain and increase blood clotting according to Dr. Tori Hudson, a naturopathic physician.

Essential Fatty Acids

• According to Hudson, evening primrose oil is high in linolenic acid (LA) gamma linolenic acid (GLA), both important essential fatty acids.

PMS

• Evening primrose oil can help soothe the bloating, cramping and depression associated with premenstrual discomfort.

Menopause

• The gamma linolenic acid in evening primrose oil can help to ease symptoms of menopause and reduce night flushes, according to Hudson.