MyNutraPack Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil

Introduction

This fact sheet provides basic information about evening primrose oil—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Evening primrose is a plant native to North America, but it grows in Europe and parts of the Southern Hemisphere as well. It has yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids are required by the body for growth and development, and must be obtained from the diet.
Common Names—evening primrose oil, EPO
Latin Name—Oenothera biennis

What It Is Used For

Evening primrose oil has been used since the 1930s for eczema (a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, itchy, or scaly because of allergies or other irritation).
More recently it has been used for other conditions involving inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Evening primrose oil is used for conditions affecting women's health, such as breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle, menopausal symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome.
Other conditions for which evening primrose oil is used include cancer and diabetes.

How It Is Used

Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose. The oil is usually put into capsules for use.

What the Science Says

Evening primrose oil may have modest benefits for eczema, and it may be useful for rheumatoid arthritis and breast pain. However, study results are mixed, and most studies have been small and not well designed.
Evening primrose oil does not appear to affect menopausal symptoms.
Although some clinical trials have shown a benefit of evening primrose oil for premenstrual syndrome, the best-designed trials found no effect.
There is not enough evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil for other health conditions.

Side Effects and Cautions

Evening primrose oil is well tolerated by most people. Mild side effects include gastrointestinal upset and headache.
Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources

Shahidi F, Miraliakbari H. Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:197–210.
Evening primrose oil. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed on July 6, 2007.
Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis L.). Natural Standard Web site. Accessed on July 3, 2007.

NCCAM Clearinghouse

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615
E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

CAM on PubMed

Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Web site: ods.od.nih.gov

NIH National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus

Evening Primrose Oil Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-primrose.html
This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.
NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.
NCCAM Publication No. D341
Created December 2006
Updated March 2008
Information Provided By:
NCCAM
National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892 USA
E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

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