9 Proven Health Benefits of Evening Primrose

Evening primrose, whose scientific name is oenothera, is a type of herb that germinates in the period of one year. Native to areas in North America, Asia and Europe, it has been used as a medicinal plant for many years.

Evening primrose is a pale-yellow flower, whose petals emit a pungent odor. Its bud opens during the afternoon. The plant can grow up to one meter high.

It usually grows in or near:

Gardens
Roads
Highways
Ports
Wastelands
Railroad tracks

The use of evening primrose oil is more frequent than that of infusions. This oil is obtained from the seeds and concentrated in yellowish gelatin capsules.

The components of evening primrose are what make it a versatile and beneficial medicinal plant. Among these are:

Omega 6
Linoleic acid
Fiber
Amino acids
Vitamin C
Potassium
Copper
Iron
Calcium
Zinc
Magnesium

9 Proven Health Benefits of Evening Primrose

Next, we will take a look at nine benefits and possible risks of the consumption of evening primrose.

1. Anti-inflammatory

Evening primrose contains anaesthetic effects. It is used for cases of wounds, bone pain and stomach ailments. This plant relieves and reduces swelling.

Similarly, if there is a muscle tear, it helps if you rub on a few drops of oil to relieve the discomfort.

2. Antioxidant

Evening primrose provides protection and hydration for the skin, in addition to relieving pain and inflammation. It also restores dry skin, which makes evening primrose oil a good ally to maintain a smooth and clear complexion.

Due to its antioxidants, it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and delay the effects of aging in areas like the face and hands.

3. Fertility

For women who are looking to become pregnant, using evening primrose in the form of capsules can increase the chances of fertilization more quickly and effectively.

Evening primrose oil stimulates the production of cervical mucus, a liquid secreted by the cervix caused by estrogen, which allows greater access of the sperm to the ovum.

4. Diabetes

In the case of diabetes, evening primrose works as a wonderful complement to reduce discomfort, as it helps maintain insulin levels in our blood.

On the other hand, it relieves the effects of loss of sensation, tingling or numbness that some people with mild diabetic neuropathy usually experience.

5. Premenstrual pain

The reason why the evening primrose is known as the “woman’s plant” is because it reduces the symptoms that appear before menstruation and relieves ailments such as:

Intestinal inflammation
Sickness
Fluid retention
Colic
Sensitive breasts
Regulation of hormones

Taking a capsule a day can alleviate many of the problems generated by menstruation. However, it’s important that each person consult a doctor to ensure that evening primrose oil is suitable for her individual use.

6. Menopause

Menopause is the state in which the natural level of reproductive hormones begins to fall. All women go through it when they reach the age of forty or fifty.

Some of the symptoms present in menopause are:

Mood changes
Heat
Irregular menstrual periods
Vaginal infections
Weakness in the bones

How does evening primrose help? It helps by relieving or reducing the symptoms of menopause, as it provides the body with a natural hormonal contribution.

You cannot avoid menopause, but you can be prepared for when it arrives.

7. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become damaged, thus becoming weaker, brittle and, therefore, prone to fractures. This happens when the bone tissue is not able to be absorbed or replaced by the body.

It is a chronic disease; thus, it tends to last for years or all of one’s life and has no cure. For these cases, the doctor prescribes medication, diet and exercise that help maintain the bones’ strength and endurance.

Evening primrose increases the density of the bones while delaying the loss of bone tissue, so it works as an alternative remedy to alleviate the effects of osteoporosis.

8. Healthy nails

It’s important to maintain the health of our entire body, and that includes the nails. Damaged nails not only look bad, they are also a reflection of our health.

It’s important to act when the nails are brittle and have ridges. The consumption of this plant improves the health of our nails by restoring the damage and giving them a smooth, clean and healthy appearance.

9. Facial problems

Because of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that evening primrose has, it makes it a useful ally to prevent or cure problems such as:

Acne
Blackheads
Eczema

The reason for this is that evening primrose helps to dilute the accumulation of grease in the pores.

It’s also useful to combat atopic eczema, a disease that gives the skin a hard and dry appearance due to allergies. Evening primrose, either in the form of oil or capsules, is a good alternative remedy for this skin problem.