`Evening Primrose for MS

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Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

Evening Primrose

Evening Star

King's-cure-all

Night Willow Herb

Primrose

Scabish

Parts used

Uses

Habitat and cultivation

Constituents

How much to take

Side effects and cautions

Applications

Regenerating oil

The plant called the evening primrose is a flowering weed which grows wild in North America; it is a native plant of the continent and grows everywhere

being seen as a noxious and hardy weed in areas in which it grows. The recognized species of the evening primrose - scientific name: Oenothera biennis

L. is regarded as being a complex of several closely related plant species by some botanical authorities. The plant belongs to the family Onagraceae and

is a biennial weed, the evening primrose is known for the large numbers of very fertile seeds it produces, the large number of seeds produced by the plant

and their hardiness is one reason the plant managed to spread far and wide and led to the establishment of wild populations of the plant in Europe in the

seventeenth century from seeds accidentally introduced into ships' ballast. The traditional use of the evening primrose in many kinds of herbal remedies

is centuries old and the native Indians as well as the early European settlers of the American continent, used herbal preparations of the herb in the treatment

of many different conditions and disorders. The herb was used as a remedy for disorders such as chronic asthmatic

coughs

; it was used in the treatment of many kinds of gastrointestinal disorders and even in the topical treatment of

bruises

on the body. The evening primrose was well known for the fatty herbal oil extracted from the small and reddish brown seeds - this fatty oil would rekindle

an interest in the use of the herb in therapeutic herbal treatments.

The fatty oil is extracted from the harvested seeds of the evening primrose plant, and the yield of these seeds is approximately fourteen percent fixed

oil in total after extraction. This extracted oil in turn contains about nine percent of a useful chemical compound called the cis-gamma-linoleic acid

- or GLA in short. The prostaglandins in the human body are actually synthesized from precursors such as GLA; in fact a prostaglandin called E1 is dependant

on the presence of GLA in the body. This chemical compound thus plays a very important intermediary role along the biosynthetic pathway, first in forming

a compound called cis-linoleic acid and then in the formation of the full prostaglandin compound. During the production of the prostaglandin, the main

limiting step is actually the conversion of the essential dietary fatty acid linoleic acid into GLA. A large number of beneficial effects is said to accrue

from the consumption of the fatty evening primrose oil according to the advocates of the evening primrose oil, these claims include the ability of the

herbal remedy to induce

weight loss

in individuals without the need of a change in dietary habits, some say it has the ability of effecting a

lowered blood cholesterol level

, it is also believed to be able to

lower the elevated blood pressure

in patients, it is also seen as an effective cure for

rheumatoid arthritis

by some individuals, it is also believed to bring relief from

premenstrual pain

, and it is supposed to slow the progression of disease such as

multiple sclerosis in affected patients, and the herbal remedy is also believed to be capable of alleviating hangovers in patients.

Before they can be substantiated, the veracity of these beneficial claims has to be extensively tested in a clinical setting and require concrete proof.

Confirmation of the beneficial effects of this herb would require proofs such as a result which shows that the GLA deficiency is the actual individual

factor which imposes a limitation on the production of prostaglandins in the body of the person, another factor, which will have to be scientifically verified

is that all these specified disorders or conditions are favorably influenced as a direct result of the additional production of prostaglandin E1 in the

body of the patient. As of this date, scientific validation of both factors is simply not present in the results from testing.

The possibility of the treatment of disorders such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women, conditions such as mastalgia - or soreness in the breasts, disorders

such as multiple sclerosis, problems such as atopic

eczema, and the different kinds of diabetes related problems, all complications of cardiovascular disease, problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, disorders such as Sjogren's syndrome,

endometriosis

, and several other disorders using the oil of the evening primrose as a herbal remedy is supported by some clinical evidence based on results from tests.

The evening primrose oil is gaining some medical recognition at least in countries such as Britain due to these studies, some of these have been peer reviewed

and summarized to some extent.

This is not to say, that there have been no objections or questions about the real validity of these reports and a lot of questions have been raised about

the actual effectiveness of the evening primrose oil as an herbal remedy. For example, an Australian study suggested that a placebo effect was the main

factor for the effectiveness of the improvement observed from doses of the evening primrose oil during the treatment of women with moderate PMS. Questions

have also been raised about the methodology used in reporting the effectiveness of the evening primrose oil during treatment of individuals suffering from

atopic eczema, the suggestion is that, the wrong methodology may have led to the reporting of false results and benefits from the herbal oil. The ability

of the evening primrose herb to relieve the itch during moderate to severe eczema has been shown to be possible in at least two clinical trials, in these

cases the herbal remedy was able to bring about a reduction in the amount of topical and oral

steroids

needed for treatment, the herbal remedy also reduced the need for the use of drugs such as histamines and

antibiotics

in the treatment of the eczema in affected patients. These results have been negated by two later and much more involved trials which came up without any

proof of significant benefits from the use of the remedy. The safety of long term use with respect to the consumption of the evening primrose oil is also

not supported by any data from clinical research on humans so far. One factor which might lend some credence to the whole issue is that the compound called

the cis-linoleic acid is a normal constituent taken in the diet on a day to day basis, the normal volume of cis-linoleic acid consumed daily corresponds

roughly to the amount of the compound GLA that is derived from consumption of the evening primrose oil corresponds. This fact is further supported by the

absence of toxic effects or the minimal side effects in people, even though the evening primrose oil has been widely available in the form of an herbal

dietary supplement for well over fifteen years now. The volume of GLA derived from a normal dosage of the evening primrose oil is lesser than the amount

of the GLA and cis-linoleic acid contained in and derived from human milk. The safety of the herbal product seems to be well established when all of these

factors and clinical evidences are all taken together - it can be largely presumed that the herbal remedy is safe for the long term consumption of patients.

Positive identification also confirms a potential medication interaction induced by the herbal remedy in the body. The use of the evening primrose oil

in any form should be avoided by patients suffering from

schizophrenic

disorders, especially if they are on medications such as phenothiazine epileptogenic, the herbal oil can increase the chances of temporal lobe

epilepsy

in such patients.

PARTS USED

Leaves, stem bark, flowers, seed oil, root.

USES

A sedative and an astringent effects are present in various parts of the evening primrose herb, such as the flowers, the leaves, and the bark on the stem.

Disorders such as the

whooping cough

have been treated using all three parts of the plant and these are normally prescribed by many traditional herbalists in treating this disorder. Conditions

such as digestive problems and

asthma

can also be treated using the herbal remedies made from the evening primrose plant. The evening primrose herb is also used in the preparation of an herbal

poultice which is used extensively in the treatment and easing of the discomfort related to rheumatic disorders affecting patients. External skin problems

such as eczema, and some other skin conditions with symptomatic

itching

, and problems such as

breast tenderness

can be treated using topical application of the herbal evening primrose oil. Elevations in the

blood

pressure of the patient can be treated by making the person consume the herbal evening primrose oil, at the same time, this oil is also used in the prevention

of clumping in the platelets within the blood during internal hemorrhage and injuries. Premenstrual disorders are also normally treated using this herbal

oil these days, and the oil is also used in the treatment of tension and bloating in the abdominal region that occurs in women before menstruation. Consuming

the oil of the evening primrose may also be of some benefit in individuals affected by severe disorders such as the multiple sclerosis, the oil can also

be of benefit in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, in treating

intermittent claudication

, which is a cramp like

pain

that affects the leg of the patients,

circulatory disorders

can also be treated using the oil of the evening primrose.

Other medical uses

Addictions,

Lung cancer,

Ovulation pain,

Prostate cancer.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

As previously mentioned, the evening primrose is a plant which was native to parts of the North American continent, however, in the present, most temperate

regions around the world have established populations of the evening primrose due to transplantation over the years. The herb typically inhabits dunes

and sandy soils in many open areas and waste grounds around the world - it is a very hardy herb and can grow well under adverse climactic conditions. Commercial

cultivation of the evening primrose for its seed oil is also carried out in a substantial manner in many temperate regions of the world.

CONSTITUENTS

Many of the

essential fatty acids

are found in large quantities in the seed oil of the evening primrose herb, the proportions of the two most notable essential fatty acids include about

seventy percent cis-linoleic acid and about nine percent of the fatty acid cis-gammalinolenic acid. The presence of the gammalinolenic acid - the GLA in

short, which is a major precursor for the formation of the prostaglandin E1 in the human body, is the major reason for the beneficial actions attributed

to the seed oil of the evening primrose plant. The

vitamin E

is often added to the seed oil in order to prevent oxidation of the important metabolic compound during storage and processing of the oil.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

Dosage requirements differ, but for treatment purposes, there are 500 mg evening primrose oil capsules available at many health food stores. The maximum

adult dose is normally about four g of the oil daily, while the majority of the clinical trials typically use doses of one or two capsules, taken twice

or thrice every day, during the treatment regimen. Results can be expected to take three months to appear during the treatment of some conditions using

the herbal evening primrose oil.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

As has been mentioned before, all schizophrenic patients already on phenothiazine medications such as Compazine -marketed as prochlorperazine, Mellaril

- marketed as thioridazine, Sparine - trade name promazine, Stelazine - marketed as trifluoperazine, Thorazine - marketed as chlorpromazine and Trilafon

- trade name perphenazine are advised not to use the oil of the evening primrose for any purpose, this also includes avoiding GLA supplements - side effects

are known to occur when the oil is used concurrently with these drugs. The main side effect for the patient using this combination being the higher risk

of epileptic

seizure

affecting him or her when using the drugs and the herbal oil are consumed at the same time. The oil of the evening primrose must also be avoided by people

taking some other types of medications, including Wellbutrin and other anti-depressants; these may interact with the oil and lead to the lowering in the

seizure threshold for the person concerned.

APPLICATIONS

Flowers:

INFUSION - The flowers of the evening primrose can be made into an herbal infusion for the treatment of

headaches

, to quell chills during

fevers

, to treat head colds and accumulated

mucus

- dosage of the herbal infusion is usually done by taking the infusion in small sips.

TINCTURE - The flowers of the evening primrose are also used in the preparation of a floral herbal tincture, which is taken at dosages of 5 - 10 drops

each, and used in the treatment of

insomnia

, in treating

anxiety

and sleeplessness, and in treating over excitement and nervousness.

COMPRESS - A topical compress can be prepared by using the heated infusion, a pad can be soaked in hot herbal infusion and this can be applied directly

on to the facial or trigeminal nerves in treatment of

neuralgia

and other topical disorders.

OINTMENT - The flowers of the evening primrose can be used in the preparation of a topical herbal ointment which can be used in the treatment of

sunburn

and different

skin disorders

affecting patients.

ESSENTIAL OIL - The flowers of the evening primrose can also be pressed for the extraction of the essential herbal oil and this can be used in the treatment

of sleeplessness and insomnia, doses can be 5 - 10 drops of the oil added to the bath water, this water can be used at night to bathe oneself as a therapeutic

long term topical treatment for sleeplessness.

MASSAGE OIL - The flowers of the evening primrose can also be prepared into massage oil for topical treatments, this oil can be made by diluting about

5 - 10 drops of the pressed essential herbal oil in 25 ml of either

almond

or

sunflower

oil - mix the two oils well. The massage oil can be applied directly on affected areas of the body for the treatment of nerve pains, the oil can also be

rubbed into the temples for ease from

migraine

and headaches.

Root:

DECOCTION - The evening primrose root can be used in the preparation of an herbal decoction which is used in the treatment of accumulated phlegm during

stubborn coughs and congestion problems in the chest area, this herbal decoction is especially useful in the treatment of chronic

bronchitis

in patients. The decoction is also believed to be capable of inducing relief from the symptoms of

arthritis

and long term rheumatism - and it is used by such patients as a pain relief agent.

TINCTURE - The roots of the evening primrose can also be prepared into a unique root herbal tincture, this particular remedy is used for the treatment

of similar ailments as treated using the herbal decoction - doses are also similar.

COMPRESS - The root decoction of the evening primrose are soaked up in a pad, this pad is used as a compress for direct application along painful arthritic

joints, and this is a very effective treatment for such disorders in patients.

REGENERATING OIL

.. 3/4 cup (20 g) evening primrose flowers

.. 1 cup (250 ml) organic

olive

oil

.. 40 drops

lavender

essential oil

Dry the flower petals for 1 week and gently shred. Add the olive oil and the essential oil. Macerate for 1 month, away from light; shake occasionally. Strain.

This oil promotes

scarring

and hydrates. It should be used in small quantities on the face (and occasionally on the body) to treat sores,

wrinkles and dry skin.