The evening primrose is a fairly common plant. But the effect of evening primrose oil is quite impressive. We’ll tell you about the healing powers of the oil extracted from the seeds.
If you are looking for a natural remedy for itching or dry skin, evening primrose oil will be of interest to you. The valuable evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose. Here you can find out where the evening primrose comes from, what effects evening primrose oil is said to have and how the oil can be used.
Origin and ingredients of evening primrose oil
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / takazart)
Evening primrose oil is extracted from the evening primrose, a plant that belongs to the large evening primrose family. The medicinal plant originally comes from North America and was later discovered as a medicinal remedy in Europe.
The evening primrose is an undemanding plant and grows in many gardens or on the side of the road. Only when it gets dark in the evening does the plant open its flowers and give off a sweet scent. The versatile evening primrose oil is pressed from the seeds of the plant. The roots, the green parts of the plant, the flowers and the seeds are also edible. You can cook and eat the leaves like spinach, and the flowers are suitable for garnishing salads.
Useful ingredients
The healing effect of evening primrose oil is based on its special ingredients. To benefit from its full effect, you should use cold-pressed, organic oil. The seeds of the evening primrose contain, among other things, the polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acids linoleic acid (between 60 and 80 percent) and gamma-linolenic acid (between 8 and 14 percent).
The effect of evening primrose oil
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / hansbenn)
The large amount of linoleic acid is said to make evening primrose oil so healing. Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for the body and help
- in cell renewal,
- to regulate blood pressure,
- the metabolic process
- and can lower cholesterol levels.
According to Netdoktor, evening primrose oil can have a positive effect on the skin. The oil is said to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier function and provide it with moisture.
-
Itching,
-
Dry skin and
-
Skin inflammations such as psoriasis and neurodermatitis can be very effective.
Evening primrose oil for other complaints
It is also said to help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms. It is also said to support wound healing. When taken, evening primrose oil is said to strengthen the skin from the inside and help against hair loss and brittle nails.
Precautions
According to Netdoktor, possible side effects of internal or external use of evening primrose include headaches and digestive problems in individual cases. Evening primrose oil during pregnancy can increase the risk of complications. Get medical advice before using it. However, there is still no clear scientific evidence for the effectiveness of evening primrose oil.
Application of evening primrose oil
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / monicore)
You can use evening primrose seed oil externally and internally.
For external use, you can apply evening primrose oil (or creams containing the oil) directly to the skin or inflamed joints. It is recommended to use pure evening primrose oil, especially for dry and cracked skin.
Every pure evening primrose oil is also suitable for internal use. For internal use, you can take the oil in liquid form, for example as an ingredient in salads or cooked dishes.
When taking a treatment with evening primrose oil, it takes a few weeks for the anti-inflammatory effect to take effect. This is because the oil is a natural remedy and works differently in the body than conventional medication. It doesn’t just relieve a specific symptom, but has an effect on the entire body.
Read more on Techzle\.com:
- Castor oil: good for hair and eyelashes
- Sage oil: effects and uses of the essential oil
- Olive oil for hair: this is how natural hair care works
Edited by Melanie Grünauer
** marked with ** or orange underlined Links to sources are sometimes affiliate links: If you buy here, you are actively supporting Techzle\.com, because we then receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More information.