Category
Herbs & Supplements
Alternate Title
Primrose oil,
Oenothera biennisL.
Synonyms
Echte Nachtkerze, EPO, fever plant, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), herbe aux anes, Huile D'Onagre, kaempe natlys, king's cureall, la belle de nuit, nachtkerzenol, night willow-herb, Oenothera communis Leveill, Oenothera graveolens Gilib, omega-6 essential fatty acid, Onagra biennis Scop, Onogra vulgaris, onagre bisannuelle, scabish, Spach, stella di sera, sun drop, Teunisbloem.
Background
Evening primrose oil (EPO) contains an omega-6 essential fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is believed to be the active ingredient. EPO has been studied in a wide variety of disorders, particularly those affected by metabolic products of essential fatty acids. However, high-quality evidence for its use in most conditions is still lacking.
Evidence
DISCLAIMER:
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Eczema (children and adults):
Several small studies of eczema suggest benefits of taking evening primrose oil by mouth. Large well-designed studies are needed before a strong recommendation can be made. Evening primrose oil is approved for eczema in several countries outside of the United States.
Grade: B
Skin irritation (atopic dermatitis in children and adults):
Several small human studies of atopic dermatitis suggest benefits of taking evening primrose oil by mouth. Large well-designed studies are needed before a strong recommendation can be made. Evening primrose oil is approved for atopic dermatitis in several countries outside of the United States.
Grade: B
Breast cancer:
Not enough information is available to advise the use of evening primrose oil for breast cancer. People with known or suspected breast cancer should consult with a qualified healthcare professional about possible treatments.
Grade: C
Breast cysts :
The limited available research does not demonstrate that evening primrose oil has a significant effect on treating breast cysts.
Grade: C
Breast pain (mastalgia):
Although primrose oil is used for breast pain in several European countries, no high-quality human studies are currently available in this area. Therefore, the available information does not allow recommendation for or against the use of primrose oil in this condition.
Grade: C
Chronic fatigue syndrome/post-viral infection symptoms:
Not enough information is available to advise the use of evening primrose oil for symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome or fatigue following a viral infection.
Grade: C
Diabetes:
A small number of laboratory studies and theory suggests that evening primrose oil may be helpful in diabetes, but more information is needed before a recommendation can be made.
Grade: C
Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage):
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), one of the components of evening primrose oil, may be helpful in people with diabetic neuropathy. Additional studies are needed before a recommendation can be made.
Grade: C
Multiple sclerosis (MS):
It is theorized that primrose oil may be helpful in patients with MS based on laboratory studies. Limited evidence is available in humans, and a firm conclusion is not possible at this time.
Grade: C
Obesity/weight loss:
Initial human study suggests that evening primrose oil may have no effects on weight loss.
Grade: C
Pre-eclampsia/high blood pressure of pregnancy:
Evening primrose oil is proposed to have effects on chemicals in the blood called prostaglandins, which may play a role in pre-eclampsia. However, more studies are needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
Grade: C
Raynaud's phenomenon:
Not enough scientific information is available to advise the use of evening primrose oil for Raynaud's phenomenon.
Grade: C
Rheumatoid arthritis:
Benefits of evening primrose oil in the treatment of arthritis have not clearly been shown. More information is needed before a recommendation can be made.
Grade: C
Scale-like dry skin (ichthyosis vulgaris):
Early studies do not show a benefit from evening primrose oil. However, larger studies are needed to confirm this result.
Grade: C
Asthma:
Small studies do not show evening primrose oil to be useful in the treatment of asthma. Further research is needed to confirm this conclusion.
Grade: D
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD):
Small human studies show no benefit from evening primrose oil in ADHD. Further research is needed to confirm this conclusion.
Grade: D
Cardiovascular health:
Early study of evening primrose oil shows a lack of significant beneficial effects on cardiovascular function and health.
Grade: D
Menopause (flushing/bone metabolism):
Available studies do not show evening primrose oil to be helpful with these potential complications of menopause.
Grade: D
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS):
Small human studies do not report that evening primrose oil is helpful for the symptoms of PMS. A large, well-designed study is needed before any recommendation can be made.
Grade: D
Psoriasis:
Initial research does not show a benefit from evening primrose oil in the treatment of psoriasis.
Grade: D
Schizophrenia:
Results from studies of mixed quality do not support the use of evening primrose oil for schizophrenia.
Grade: D
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