SOMETHING NICE YOU NEVER KNEW - EVENING PRIMROSE OIL

You must have heard of groundnut oil or palm oil and even so many other type of oils but only few know about THE EVENING PRIMROSE OIL obtained from the seeds of the plant, Oenothera biennis.It is a wild flower that grows in eastern and central America and was used to treat body swellings many years ago.

It is very unique due to its rich content of an essential fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) also known as OMEGA-6. GLA is converted in the body to prostaglandins. This essential fatty acid is responsible for many of the benefits attributed to Evening Primrose oil. This oil is usually formulated in soft capsules or in oil containers


As people grow older or in some disease conditions, the level of the body's GLA diminishes. A supplement containing Evening primrose oil will be useful to replenish the body's depleted GLA stores.


USES AND BENEFITS
1. It is used as adjunct therapeutic agent in the management of arthritis. This is due to the fact that GLA is a precursor to some endogenous anti-inflammatory substances - Thromboxane A1.

2. It has been found useful also in women for alleviating pain and discomfort of premenstrual syndrome and specifically breast tenderness, depression, irritability, swelling and bloating due to fluid retention.

3. It has also been used in treating eczemas or atopic dermatitis. However, there is little evidence to back up this claim.

4. It is also beneficial to the immune system since GLA is a precursor to Prostaglandin E1 which is known to regulate the immune system.

5. A pilot study research has shown that 1200IU of vitamin E and 3000mg of Evening primrose oil (EPO) on a daily basis for six months can reduce the severity of cyclical mastalgia (breast tenderness and pain associated most often with the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle)

6. Research studies has shown that 4g daily dose of EPO for 6months can help in peripheral neuropathy management in HIV/AIDS patients.

7. Another research study has shown EPO to have cidal effect against the bacteria, Helicobacter pylori which causes most duodenal ulcers.

8. It is also used in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

and so many other potential benefits.

DOSAGE: Please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

SIDE EFFECTS: Slight headache, stomach upset, diarrhoea, anticoagulation

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL SHOULD BE AVOIDED BY

1. Pregnant women - supplements are generally avoided in pregnancy for safety reasons.
2. Persons with previous history of hypersensitivity to the product
3. Persons on warfarin or any other anticoagulant therapy due to increased chances of bleeding. It should be avoided in persons taking NSAIDs to avoid increased chances of bruising
4. Persons on phenothiazine therapy as it may cause increase in nausea, vomiting and seizures.

REFERENCES
1. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/gammalinolenic-acid
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-Linolenic_acid
3. www.oryza.co.jp/html/english/pdf/EVENING_PREMROSE_pylori.pdf
4. www.catie.ca/sites/default/files/Evening%20Primrose%20Oil.pdf
5. http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/15/1/59.pdf
6. www.emedicinehealth.com
6. www.drugs.com

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