{"id":5590,"date":"2024-05-15T11:04:13","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T08:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/?p=5590"},"modified":"2025-03-27T17:50:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T14:50:46","slug":"evening-primrose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/evening-primrose\/","title":{"rendered":"Evening Primrose"},"content":{"rendered":"

Evening primrose oil (EPO) is made from the seeds of evening primrose flowers, native to North America. People traditionally used it to treat conditions including bruises, hemorrhoids, and sore throats.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

EPO\u2019s healing benefits may be due to its gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content. GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid found in plant oils. <\/span>EPO is generally taken as a supplement or applied topically. Read on to learn how EPO may help treat many common health conditions today.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are The Possible Benefits of EPO?<\/b><\/h2>\n

EPO may have some potential benefits. But more research is still needed to confirm its use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) <\/span>states there isn\u2019t enough evidence to support using EPO for any health conditions. Despite that, it\u2019s generally safe to use long-term, and some studies have highlighted areas of possible benefit. These may include:<\/span><\/p>\n

It May Help Ease Acne<\/b><\/h2>\n

Some people believe the GLA in EPO may help<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>acne<\/span><\/a> by reducing skin inflammation and the number of skin cells that cause lesions. It may also help the skin retain moisture.\u00a0<\/span>According to a\u00a0<\/span>2022 study<\/span>, EPO may help relieve specific side effects from the medication isotretinoin (Accutane). <\/span>An older\u00a0<\/span>2014 study\u00a0<\/span>found that GLA supplementation reduced inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions. <\/span>But larger, longer studies are still needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of evening primrose oil.<\/span><\/p>\n

It May Help Ease Eczema<\/b><\/h2>\n

Some countries other than the United States have approved EPO to treat\u00a0<\/span>eczema<\/span>, an inflammatory skin condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

A\u00a0<\/span>2018 study (<\/span>1<\/span><\/a>) in <\/span>South Korea concluded that EPO improved the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) score in people with mild eczema compared to a placebo. The studies\u2019 authors noted that transepidermal water loss and skin hydration were slightly improved in the EPO group.<\/span><\/p>\n

The review didn\u2019t look at the <\/span>effectiveness of\u00a0topical EPO for eczema.<\/span><\/p>\n

It Can Help Improve Overall Skin Health<\/b><\/h2>\n

The GLA in EPO may benefit skin structure and function. Because the skin can\u2019t produce GLA alone, taking GLA-rich EPO may help keep the skin healthy overall. <\/span>Both previously mentioned studies noted that EPO improved skin hydration in participants. <\/span>According to an older\u00a0<\/span>2005 study<\/span> (<\/span>2<\/span><\/a>), oral supplementation of EPO may help smooth skin and improve its:<\/span><\/p>\n

Elasticity<\/span><\/p>\n

Moisture<\/span><\/p>\n

Firmness<\/span><\/p>\n

Fatigue resistance<\/span><\/p>\n

It May Help Relieve PMS Symptoms<\/b><\/h2>\n

A\u00a0<\/span>2019 study (<\/span>3<\/span><\/a>) <\/span>suggests EPO may be effective in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Breast swelling<\/span><\/p>\n

Irritability<\/span><\/p>\n

Bloating<\/span><\/p>\n

Acne<\/span><\/p>\n

Researchers believe some people experience PMS because they\u2019re sensitive to prolactin levels in the body. GLA converts to a substance in the body (prostaglandin E1) thought to help prevent prolactin from triggering PMS.<\/span><\/p>\n

It May Help Minimize Breast Pain<\/b><\/h2>\n

Some people may use EPO to relieve cyclical breast pain. Some people believe the GLA in EPO is thought to reduce inflammation and help inhibit prostaglandins that cause cyclical breast pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

But a\u00a0<\/span>2021 review of research (<\/span>4<\/span><\/a>) found<\/span> that EPO was only as effective as a placebo compared to topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), danazol, or vitamin E.<\/span><\/p>\n

The authors also noted that EPO is unlikely to cause adverse side effects. So it may be safe to try.<\/span><\/p>\n

It May Help Reduce Hot Flashes<\/b><\/h2>\n

Some people believe EPO may reduce the severity of\u00a0<\/span>hot flashes, <\/span>one of the most uncomfortable side effects <\/span>of\u00a0menopause.<\/span><\/p>\n

A small\u00a0<\/span>2021 study <\/span>(<\/span>5<\/span><\/a>) that used participant questionnaires found that taking EPO during menopause may result in less frequent and less severe night sweats.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the\u00a0National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) (<\/span>6<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0notes <\/span>that there\u2019s not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of EPO for hot flashes or other menopause side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

It May Help Improve Heart Health<\/b><\/h2>\n

Heart disease kills more <\/span>than\u00a0600,000 people (<\/span>7<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0in <\/span>the United States each year. Hundreds of thousands more are living with the condition. Some people are using\u00a0<\/span>natural remedies<\/span>, such as EPO, to help.<\/span><\/p>\n

A\u00a0<\/span>2020 review of research (<\/span>8<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0<\/span>suggests that EPO may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels, though some research was inconclusive. Additional research is still needed to support the use of EPO to support heart health.<\/span><\/p>\n

It Can Help Reduce Nerve Pain<\/b><\/h2>\n

Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of\u00a0<\/span>diabetes\u00a0<\/span>and other conditions. <\/span>A\u00a02018 review of research (<\/span>9<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>\u00a0notes that animal studies have shown that fatty acids like linolenic acid may potentially help reduce neuropathy symptoms, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n