Evening Primrose Plant: A Quick Look

A strain of the Oenothera genus, the evening primrose, is a biennial plant that is native to North America. It is most popular for its oil derivative, which has long been regarded as a cure-all compound. EPO is perhaps best known for its properties that are beneficial for female health, particularly with its ability to treat and manage PMS and menopause symptoms. It is also known to ease skin inflammation, which makes it ideal for managing psoriasis flare-ups, acne, and eczema. This is also the reason why it is a staple in beauty treatment products such as soaps and lotions. Apart from those already mentioned, EPO has been used for the following medical conditions:

• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• High cholesterol levels
• Heart problems,
• Alcohol addiction
• Chronic pain
• Mental disorders
• ADHD
• Neuropathy due to diabetes
• Asthma

Experts attribute the seeming cure-all abilities of evening primrose oil to its high gamma-linolenic acid or GLA content, which has long been the subject of interest of medical experts. Evening primrose oil contains between 7 to 10 percent GLA making it a good source of this polyunsaturated fat. GLA is in the preliminary stage in the body’s synthesis of an active lipid compound called prostaglandin, which is essential for the cells to function properly. Most of the medical conditions stated earlier, such as eczema, PMS, and multiple sclerosis, are known to be induced by the lack of prostaglandin. The efficacy of GLA as a cure-all, therefore, may be associated with its ability to encourage the production of prostaglandin. Evening primrose oil is also used as an essential oil for weight loss by either consuming orally or inhaling through a diffuser. 

Is GLA Good for Weight Loss

Way before the recent talk about the properties of EPO that promotes weight loss, evening primrose plants have actually been used for weight management. Some Native American tribes have been documented to boil evening primrose plants to treat laziness and “over fatness.” It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to assume that over-fatness means being overweight. Studies are still ongoing to see if and how EPO promotes weight loss. If anything, the results from these studies may only serve to confirm what the Native American tribes already knew for hundreds of years.

As of this writing, some experts theorize that the ability of EPO to promote weight loss is likely because of its high GLA content. It may surprise some to know that you need fat to be able to use the fat stores in the body for energy more efficiently. GLA is a type of omega-six fatty acids, and it is one of the fats that you need to make your body’s fat-burning process more efficient.

It was also mentioned earlier that GLA triggers the body’s production of prostaglandin, and this active lipid compound is required to trigger the body’s metabolism. Prostaglandin acts like a hormone that responds to the presence of GLA. The GLA sends a signal to the prostaglandin, which in turn speeds up the breakdown of the body’s fat stores and converts them into usable energy. It has been observed that those with low levels of prostaglandin are either carrying excess weight or have slow metabolic rates. Black seed oil weight loss is also one of the most effective oils when it comes to seeing weight loss results along with evening primrose oil. 

Apart from the effects of GLA, other experts believe that the weight loss promoting properties of EPO comes from its ability to suppress appetite, curb hunger, and eliminate cravings. Some who use evening primrose oil weight loss supplements claim that taking EPO via soft gel capsules was effective in staving off hunger for more extended periods. If these claims are true, then EPO will be ideal for those who are on a low-carb diet and those who are following an intermittent fasting eating program for weight loss.

What are the Benefits of Taking Evening Primrose Oil Capsules?

Apart from aiding in weight loss, there are other reasons for you to take evening primrose oil supplements. The following are some of the benefits of taking EPO.

1. Bone Health. Several human studies have strongly suggested that taking evening primrose oil along with fish oil and calcium is effective in keeping osteoporosis at bay. Researchers observed that taking EPO along with fish oil and calcium enabled the subjects, which consisted of elderly individuals, to regain bone density and minimize bone loss.

2. Diabetes Management. One of the conditions that result from diabetes is neuropathy or the gradual degradation of the nerves, which causes numbness in the body’s extremities, weakness, and fatigue. One study shows that taking EPO capsules daily was able to reverse the nerve damage within 6 to 12 months.

 3. Anti-inflammatory Properties. GLA has been observed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Although research has yet to establish any connections, experts believe that this is the reason behind GLA’s efficacy in managing pain from arthritis and flare-ups in those who suffer from acne.

 Even though EPO is used for other medical conditions, the three benefits mentioned above are the only ones that were thoroughly studied and observed. It would also seem that based on the studies that were cited in this article, the ideal dose of EPO is 3,000 to 4,000 milligrams daily. Castor oil weight loss is also another oil to look at for getting real health benefits when it comes to anti-inflammatory properties and appetite suppressing. 

Does Evening Primrose Oil Have Any Side Effects?

Taking evening primrose oil on short cycles is usually safe for most individuals. However, there isn’t enough data to assess its safety with prolonged use. If you have your mindset on adding evening primrose oil weight loss supplements to your diet, it would be a good idea to purchase your EPO only from established and reputable brands.

While deemed as generally safe, some people may be too sensitive to the effects of EPO. Such individuals may experience a bloated sensation, pain in the stomach, nausea, and headache. Others may also experience an allergic reaction to EPO. Among the symptoms of an allergic reaction, including swelling, difficulty breathing, and rashes.

Evening primrose oil may interact with certain drugs by either making them more potent or negate their effectiveness. EPO may increase the effects of blood thinners and cause blood pressure medications more potent. You should refrain from taking EPO if you are taking these or similar medications. As with any other supposed health supplements, it will be best to consult a physician prior to taking evening primrose oil weight loss supplements.