What Is Evening Primrose Oil And What Are Its Benefits?
The nightshade genus, whose scientific name is oenothera, is a type of herb that germinates within a year. Originally from areas in North America, Asia and Europe, it has many benefits and has been used as a medicinal plant for many years. Here you can read about the benefits of evening primrose oil.
At night a pale yellow flower lights up and the petals give off a sharp smell. The bud opens during the afternoon. The plant can grow up to one meter tall.
It usually grows in or near:
- Gardens
- Roads
- Highways
- Wilderness
- Railway tracks
The use of the oil is more common than taking it as an infusion. This oil is extracted from the seeds and concentrated in yellowish gelatin capsules.
The components of evening primrose oil are what make it a versatile and beneficial medicinal plant. Among these we find:
- Omega 6
- Linoleic acid
- Fiber
- Amino acids
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Copper
- Iron
- Calcium
- Zinc
- Magnesium
Here we will take a closer look at the benefits and possible risks of consuming evening primrose oil.
1. The benefits of evening primrose oil: anti-inflammatory
Evening primrose oil contains anesthetic effects. It is used in cases of sores, leg pain and stomach ailments. This plant relieves and reduces swelling.
Similarly, if there is a muscle tear, it helps to apply a few drops of oil to relieve the discomfort.
2. Antioxidant
Evening primrose oil provides protection and moisture for the skin, as well as relieving pain and inflammation. It also restores dry skin, making the oil a good ally for maintaining an even and clear skin tone.
Due to the antioxidants, it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and delay the effects of aging in areas such as the face and hands.
3. The benefits of evening primrose oil: fertility
For women who want to get pregnant, the use of evening primrose oil in the form of capsules can increase the likelihood of conception faster and more efficiently.
Evening primrose oil in the evening stimulates the production of cervical mucus, a fluid secreted by the cervix caused by estrogen, which gives the sperm cells greater access to the egg.
Diabetes
When it comes to diabetes, evening primrose oil works as a great supplement to reduce discomfort, as it helps maintain insulin levels in our blood.
On the other hand, it relieves the effect of loss of feeling, tingling or numbness that some people with mild diabetic neuropathy usually experience.
5. Premenstrual pain
The reason why the nightshade genus is known as the “woman’s plant” is because it reduces the symptoms that appear before menstruation and relieves ailments such as:
- Intestinal inflammation
- Disease
- Fluid retention
- Colic
- Sensitive breasts
- Hormone regulation
One capsule a day can alleviate many of the problems generated by menstruation. However, it is important that you talk to your doctor to ensure that evening primrose oil is suitable for your individual use.
6. The benefits of evening primrose oil: menopause
Menopause is a condition in which the natural level of reproductive hormones begins to decline. All women go through this when they turn forty or fifty.
Some of the symptoms that are present during menopause are:
- The mood changes
- Heat strokes
- Irregular menstruation
- Vaginal infections
- Weakness in bones
How does evening primrose oil help? It helps by relieving or reducing the symptoms of menopause, as it gives the body a natural hormonal contribution.
You can not avoid menopause, but you can be prepared when it comes.
7. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones are damaged, making them weaker, brittle and therefore prone to fractures. This happens when the bone tissue is unable to be absorbed or replaced by the body.
It is a chronic disease, and thus it tends to last for several years or a lifetime and has no cure. In these cases, the doctor prescribes medication, diet and exercise that help maintain the strength and endurance of the legs.
Evening primrose oil increases bone density while delaying the loss of bone tissue, so it acts as an alternative remedy to alleviate the effects of osteoporosis.
8. The benefits of evening primrose oil: Healthy nails
It is important to maintain the health of the whole body, and this includes the nails. Injured nails not only look bad, they also reflect our health.
It is also important to act when the nails are brittle and have grooves. Consumption of this plant improves the health of the nails by restoring the damage and giving them a smooth, clean and healthy appearance.
9. Skin problems
Due to the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects, evening primrose oil is a useful ally to prevent or cure problems such as:
- Acne
- Blackheads
- Eczema
The reason for this is that the oil helps to dilute the accumulation of fat in the pores.
It is also useful in fighting atopic eczema, a disease that gives the skin a hard and dry appearance due to allergies. Evening primrose oil in the evening, either in the form of oil or capsules, is a good alternative for this skin problem.
Risk when using
Evening primrose oil has minimal side effects, but it is important to mention them and know about them. These are:
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal reactions
- Headache
It is recommended to see a doctor to check how good it is for your health.
