Evening primrose is a common roadside wildflower which grows all over the United States. The oil from the seeds has been used as a natural medicinal agent for conditions such as stomach aches, respiratory infections and many other ailments. It is high in essential fatty acids such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and may be of some benefit in the treatment of PMS and symptoms of menopause. As with all supplements, talk to your doctor before using evening primrose.
Menopause
As a woman ages, the body’s production of female hormones slows resulting in a lack of ovulation and menstrual period and the occurrence of menopause. Symptoms of menopause result from this lack of female hormones and can be quite bothersome. Menopause symptoms may include night sweats, hot flashes, irritability, foggy thinking and insomnia along with others. Some women also begin to grow hair in new areas and may even have a reoccurrence of acne. Medically, symptoms of menopause are often treated with hormone replacement therapy, but some women may wish to try herbal remedies such as evening primrose oil.
Evening Primrose and Menopause
Oil extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose flower is high in the omega-6 fatty acids including linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Evening primrose has been used to treat symptoms of female hormone imbalance including both PMS and menopause. The GLA in evening primrose oil may suppress the activity of prostaglandins which may help with menopausal symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats which are thought to be caused by excessive prostaglandin activity. Its use in the treatment of hormonal disorder is controversial as according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, research is limited.
The average American gets too many of the wrong type of omega-6 fatty acids in the diet which come from animal products, processed foods and certain types of oil used in food preparation. These omega-6 fatty acids are thought to increase inflammation within the body and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Evening primrose oil has healthier omega-6 fatty acids which may help to relieve conditions associated with inflammation such as eczema and dermatitis. Evening Primrose has also been used in the United Kingdom to treat breast pain, which may be caused by a lack of healthy essential fatty acids. The University of Maryland Medical Center also states that there may be some evidence in its use in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, adding that an omega-6 supplement with a combination of omega-3 fatty acids from sources such as fish oil may be more effective than evening primrose oil alone.
Safety
Though there is some question as to its effectiveness, evening primrose is generally considered to be safe for women of menopausal age. It may cause side effects such as nausea, soft stools and headache. Serious allergic reactions are rare, however a doctor should be consulted immediately for symptoms such as itching, swelling of the mouth or throat or difficulty breathing.
Source: MedlinePlus: Evening Primrose Oil
University of Maryland Medical Center: Evening Primrose Oil
