Evening Primrose
Botanical Description & Habitat
Oenothera biennis
Family
Onagraceae
Common Names:
| Common evening primrose | Fever plant |
| Scabish | Scurvish |
| Sundrop | Tree primrose |
| Willow herb |
Habitat
Native to the North Temperate Zone, east of the Rockies to the Atlantic coast; found in dry meadows, waste places, and along roadsides.
Description
The plant is a perennial herb with an erect, hairy stem bearing alternate, rough, hairy, lanceolate leaves. The leaves taper to a point and grow from 3-6 inches long. Yellow flowers bloom in umbrels, 1 to 1-1/2 inches across, from June to October. Fruit is an oblong, hairy capsule.
Medicinal Parts
Whole plant - fresh, oil
Historical Properties & Uses
Traditional uses of evening primrose as an astringent, antibiotic, mucilaginous, expectorant, antitussive, and digestive stimulant have given way to modern uses concentrating on a single property of the plant.
The oil is high in gammalinolenic acid (GLA), which is readily converted in the body to prostaglandin E1; therefore, it is employed in the treatment of any and every condition for which prostaglandin could be beneficial. Numbering among those conditions are: premenstrual syndrome, benign breast disease, cholesterol regulation, platelet aggregation, blood pressure regulation, obesity, atopic disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, rheumatism, alcoholism, mental disorders, and childhood hyperactivity.
Method of Action
Evening Primrose Oil is a rich source of GLA
The real value of evening primrose lies in the gammalinolenic acid (GLA) content of its oil. GLA is an important intermediary in the metabolic conversion of linoleic acid (technically, the cis-isomer) to prostaglandin E1. Essentially that pathway goes as follows:
cis-linoleic acid -->
--> gammalinolenic acid -->
--> dihomo-gammalinolenic acid -->
--> prostaglandin E1
The normal diet is quite sufficient in linoleic acid, but the first step in its conversion to prostaglandin E1 can be easily blocked. Among the known blocking agents are: viruses, carcinogens, cholesterol, saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, alcohol, insufficient zinc or insulin, radiation, insufficient delta-6-desaturase, and the aging process. Dietary GLA could therefore be extremely valuable since very few factors block the successive steps in the metabolic pathway.
Most, if not all, properties of evening primrose oil resemble and indeed
can be attributed to the actions of prostaglandin E1. Among those
effects already investigated are the following:
Premenstrual Syndrome.
In one study, 61% of the patients reported complete relief, 25% reported partial relief. The results were attributed to the ability of PgE1 to inhibit the effects of prolactin, an agent though responsible for some of the symptoms of PMS. In another study, Evening Primrose Oil (GammaOil) was used with remarkable success. The symptoms of swollen abdomen and breast discomfort were eradicated in 95% of the women, irritability in 80%, depression in 74%, swollen fingers and ankles in 79%, and anxiety in 53%. The only two symptoms which persisted in more than half of the women were tiredness and headaches. A dosage of four 500mg capsules was recommended morning and night for two weeks leading up to menstruation.
Benign Breast Disease
In a related manner to the above, evening primrose oil, through the inhibition of prolactin, has been reported to cure or substantially reduce the symptoms of, benign breast disease. Since a dietary deficiency of essential fatty acids may cause increased deposition of fibrous tissue, the cysts of benign breast disease may be in some way related.
Cholesterol
Evening primrose oil effectively lowers serum cholesterol in animals and humans with high levels. This effect usually takes several weeks.
Platelet Aggregation
Evening primrose decreases the tendency of the blood to clot.
Blood Pressure
Studies have shown evening primrose oil can lower already high blood pressure levels.
Obesity
In at least one study, human patients taking evening primrose oil were found to lose weight, but only if they were at least 10% over their ideal body weight. Patients within the 10% limits exhibited no loss of weight. Conversely, another trial failed to find an anti-obesity effect of Evening Primrose Oil in subjects who were at least 20% above their ideal weight.
Skin conditions
Evening Primrose Oil has been used successfully in patients with atopic eczema. A double blind cross-over study was used with the following dosages:
Adults: Group A - 2 capsules taken twice daily
Group B - 4 capsules taken twice daily
Group C - 6 capsules taken twice daily
Children: 2 to 4 capsules per day
Results indicated in the Evening Primrose Oil group, there was significant clinical improvement especially at the higher dosages. The overall improvement at the higher dosages was about 43%.
Psoriasis may be responsive to a combination of Evening Primrose Oil and fish oils (GammaOil Marine). A preliminary study in Denmark has shown this to be so, and a more comprehensive study is currently underway.
Multiple Sclerosis
One of the earliest diseases for which evening primrose oil was used is multiple sclerosis. When linoleic acid is given to patients with MS it reduces the frequency and severity of relapses. Therefore, one could expect similar results from evening primrose oil. Early studies were not promising but they involved potentially serious procedural errors.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Fifty-two patients, all long-standing sufferers of arthritis taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, were given either Evening Primrose Oil (Efamol) or Evening Primrose Oil plus Fish Oils (Efamol Marine). Sixty percent (60%) of the patients were able to withdraw completely from NSAID treatment, and another 25% were able to cut their NSAID dosage in half.
Alcoholism
Preliminary tests in humans show Evening Primrose Oil can make withdrawal from alcohol easier and can relieve post-drinking depression.
Brain and liver function improve more quickly in people who have stopped drinking if they take Evening Primrose Oil (Efamol). A study of 62 alcoholics found alcoholics taking Efamol for 24 weeks had significantly faster brain function than those who had not. Efamol had an even more remarkable effect on liver function. After only three weeks, patients taking Efamol showed a significant improvement of liver function over those who did not take the supplement.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Neuropathy (the loss of sensation or feeling) is a complication commonly affecting older diabetics. Twenty-two patients with diabetic neuropathy were successfully treated with eight 500mg Evening Primrose Oil capsules a day. Over six months there was significant improvement in both motor and sensory conduction of peripheral nerves and in thermal sensation measurements. Further studies are in progress.
Other uses of Evening Primrose Oil
In addition to the above uses, research at the Efamol Institute in Nova Scotia has implicated evening primrose oil in the successful treatment of childhood hyperactivity and mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Much of that research is yet to be published.
Independent substantiation of the possible therapeutic role of evening primrose oil has been forthcoming.
Evening Primrose Oil has good antimicrobial activity
Evening primrose oil has some antitubercular activity as well as antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. It is active against Staphylococcus citrius, S. roseus, Pseudomonas pyocyanea, Streptococcus pyogenes, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella aerogenes, Diplococcus pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi. For each of these organisms, the oil compared favorably with penicillin.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
Veratrum alkaloids may potentiate the activity of evening primrose by up to 50%. The hypotensive effect of this herb may also be potentiated by anorectic drugs such as fenfluramine, whose effects are mediated by brainstem 5HT.
Evening primrose should not be used with methotrimeprazine, a potent CNS-depressant analgesic. Furthermore, colchicine may increase sensitivity or enhance the response to evening primrose.
The topical application of this astringent herb, in conjunction with the acne product tretinoin (retinoic acid, vitamin A acid), may adversely affect the skin.
Additive effects may occur between the hypotensive property of evening primrose and that of dopamine receptor agonists, such as bromocriptine mesylate.
Comments
Due to the presence of blood serum platelet aggregation inhibitors, such as linolenic acid, evening primrose may potentiate the effects of anticoagulant drugs such as heparin.
In order to minimize central nervous system depression and possible synergism, evening primrose should not be taken by persons on procarbazine antineoplastic drugs.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
The toxicity of evening primrose appears to be very low.
Preparation & Administration
Oil
1/2 tsp or 3 perles three times a day
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Bates, D., Fawcett, P.R.W., Shaw, D.A., & Weightman, D. British Medical Journal, 2, 1390, 1978.
Belch, J.J.F., D. Ansell, L. Curan, M. McLaren, A. O'Dowd, C.D. Forbes. The effects of Efamol and Efamol Marine on patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. 6th Internat'l Congress On Prostaglandins. Florence, Italy. June, 1986.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Brush, M.G. & R.W. Taylor. Gammalinolenic acid (efamol) in the treatment of the premenstrual syndrom. Clinical Uses of Essential Fatty Acids. D.F. Horrobin. ed. Montreal, Eden Press. 1982.
Buderi, D. et al: Is evening primrose oil of value in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome? Controlled Clinical trials, 1996, 17(1): 60 - 68.
Committee on Pharmocopaeia of the Am Institute of Homeopathy, The Homeopathic Pharmacopaeia of the United States. 8th ed., Vol 1. Otis Clapp and Son, Agents, Boston, l981.
Drug package insert (FDA approved official brochure) and other labeling based on sponsored clinical investigations and New Drug Application data.
Fitzpatrick, F .K. Plant substances active against mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antibiotics And Chemotherapy, 4(5), 528-536, 1954.
Glen, E., I. Glen, L. MacDonnell & J. MacKenzie. Possible Pharmacological Approaches to the Prevention and Treatment of Alcohol Related CNS Impairment. Results of a Double Blind Trial of Essential Fatty Acids. Highland Psychiatric Research Group, Craig Dunain Hospital, Inverness.
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Haslett, C., J.G. Douglas, S. Chalmers, V.E. Weighill, J.F. Munro. 1982. Clinical Uses of Essential Fatty Acids. Edited by D.F. Horrobin, Montreal. Eden Press.
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Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Pashby. et. al. Clin trial of evening primrose oil (efamol) in mastalgia. British Surgical Research Society, Cardiff Meeting, July 1981.
Scientific Committee, British Herbal Pharmocopaeia, British Herbal Med Assoc, Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983
Sharma, S.K., V.P. Singh & R.R. Bhagwat. In vitro antibacterial effect of the essential oil of oenanthe javanica (blume) Dc. Indian Journal Of Medical Research, 71(1), 149-151, 1980.
Shparer, A.G. & J.W. Marr. Fatty acids and ischaemic heart disease. Lancet, 1, 1146-1147, 1978.
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Soulairac, Lambinet & Neuman. Schizophrenie et prostaglandines: Effets therapeutiques de precurseurs de leur synthese sous la forme de l'huile d'onagre (oenothere). Annales Medico-psycho, 14(8), 883-891, 1983.
Ten Hoor, F. Cardiovascular effects of dietary linoleic acid. Nutrition Metabolism, 24, Suppl 1, 162-180, 1980.
Vaddadi, K.S. & D.F. Horrobin. Weight loss produced by evening primrose oil administration in normal and schizophrenic individuals. Ircs Journal Of Medicine, 7, 52, 1979.
Willis, A.J., et. al. Effects of essential fatty acids on platelet function in guinea pigs. Progress In Lipid Research. In Press.
Multimedia
Oenothera biennis
Evening primrose 2.
Evening primrose 3.
© Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
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