Evening primrose oil: 9 health benefits and properties

Evening primrose oil comes from a plant native to North America, known as evening primrose or primrose. (Oenothera biennis and Oenothera lamarckiana), whose seeds receive a cold-press treatment to produce oil.

Its medicinal and curative properties are many (vasodilators, anti-inflammatory, inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis bad, etc.) and are a consequence of its richness in fatty acids that are effective for hormonal health, skin, hair and bones.

High fatty acid content

This food is rich in fatty acids, which are necessary for our body to enjoy good health; however, our body cannot synthesize them and therefore needs to get them through the diet. The best known are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, both of which play crucial roles in brain function, as well as normal growth and development.

Evening primrose oil is rich in omega-6. There must be a balance between the intake of these two fatty acids since the excess of omega-6 in relation to omega 3 can be harmful to health. Therefore, the intake of omega-3 (for example, from some fish) is recommended together with the intake of evening primrose oil.

• Related article: “Types of fats (good and bad) and their functions”

How to take evening primrose oil

This oil is consumed as a supplement, as it is a very sensitive food, and the pearls favor its absorption and dosage. It is recommended to take these pearls with meals, and their effects may take up to 3 months to appear.

Although evening primrose oil is often associated with health benefits for women, in reality, both genders can benefit from its positive effects.

Benefits and properties of this oil

What are the benefits of this oil? What advantages does it have for our health? In the following lines we explain them to you.

1. Premenstrual syndrome

This supplement is associated with the consumption of women because it is beneficial to treat premenstrual syndrome. The reason for this is that it is a food rich in gamma-linoleic acid and, consequently, it increases the production of prostaglandin E1, a hormone with anti-inflammatory effects.

Regarding premenstrual syndrome, the consumption of this oil positively affects women both physically and mentally. Physically, because it reduces belly swelling and pain and nausea, as well as the sensitivity of the breasts. Mentally, it prevents depression and irritability.

2. anti-acne

Acne usually occurs due to a hormonal imbalance, either in adolescents or adults, so to combat this condition, it is necessary to restore this balance. Most of the creams that are marketed to treat acne act superficially, that is, directly on the existing pimples or scars.

However, the omega-6 fatty acids present in evening primrose oil may support hormone regulation and therefore have a positive effect on acne.

3. Healthy skin

But evening primrose oil not only plays a determining role in the treatment of acne, but also has a positive effect on the skin in general, its cellular structure and promotes its elasticity. In addition to the consumption of pearls, its direct application on the face also helps in the healing and healing process and allows you to enjoy an overall appearance of your skin.

4. healthy hair

Evening primrose oil not only benefits the skin, but also the hair thanks to hormonal stimulation. The essential omega-6 fatty acid has been shown to be effective in combating hair loss.either, and experts recommend the consumption of 500 milligrams twice a day to see the results after two months. It is also possible to apply it directly to the hair together with the shampoo, as shown by a study carried out at the University of Maryland.

5. Improves symptoms of arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic arthritis that affects joints, such as the hands, both wrists, or both knees.. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body's immune system attacks its own healthy tissues. Some research concludes that evening primrose oil is a perfect natural remedy for rheumatoid arthritis.

A study conducted by Arthritis Research UK measured the effects of evening primrose oil in 49 people. According to the results, 94 percent of the participants who received evening primrose oil indicated a significant improvement in disease-related symptoms, including pain and stiffness morning

6. impotence treatment

Men can also benefit from this oil, as it studies suggest that it helps solve erection problems. These investigations suggest that it acts as a vasodilator, promoting blood flow to the penis.

7. Support in the treatment of diabetes

Evening primrose has proven to be very useful in the treatment of diabetes, as it maintains insulin levels and avoids the side effects of this disease on the nervous system. However, there is still a lot of research work to obtain conclusive results.

8. Supports stomach health

The stomach also benefits from evening primrose oil, as it protects the digestive mucosa and the digestive system in general. It also protects the liver against the harmful effects of alcohol and its anti-inflammatory effect is useful for inflammatory digestive pathologies such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

9. Prevents the onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Studies suggest that this substance increases the transmission of nerve impulses, especially of dopamine, so it can be effective to prevent the appearance of Alzheimer's. Likewise, other studies suggest that essential fatty acids increase the production of dopamine by improving the levels of norepinephrine.