Re: Evening Primrose Oil and neuropathy

[Guest guest]

> http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/crops/special/medconf/ibrahimf.html

Dave,

How much and how often do personally you take?

thanks

carol

[Guest guest]

> I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but Evening Primrose oil (I take

> 3x1000mg daily) is touted to help with neuropathy. Do a web search for

> evening primrose and you should come accross several references.

**Dave, what else does it do for you (me, us), please?

Barb

[Guest guest]

Rainbow Farm wrote:

>

> > I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but Evening Primrose oil (I take

> > 3x1000mg daily) is touted to help with neuropathy. Do a web search for

> > evening primrose and you should come accross several references.

>

> **Dave, what else does it do for you (me, us), please?

Apparently a lot:

http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/crops/special/medconf/ibrahimf.html

Botanical Description and 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

Evening Primrose - Historical Properties and 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 gamma-linolenic 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, mental

disorders, rheumatism, alcoholism, and childhood hyperactivity.

Evening Primrose - Method of Action

Evening Primrose Oil is a Rich Source of GLA

The real value of evening primrose lies in the gamma-linolenic 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 --> --> gamma-linolenic acid --> -->

dihomo-gamma-linolenic 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 decreased 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%

limit 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 of 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 favourably with penicillin.

Evening Primrose - 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.

Evening Primrose - Safety Factors & Toxicity

The toxicity of Evening Primrose appears to be very low.

Evening Primrose - 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.

This information is maintained by: Stan Blade

Last Revised/Reviewed July 26, 1996

--

Dave - 12:43:04 PM

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[Guest guest]

> > **Dave, what else does it do for you (me, us), please?

>

> Apparently a lot:

>

> http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/crops/special/medconf/ibrahimf.html

**Wow, thanks, Dave!! That's a keeper. How does anyone survive without it?

<g>

Barb, running to the store to get some :-)

[Guest guest]

Rainbow Farm wrote:

>

> > > **Dave, what else does it do for you (me, us), please?

> >

> > Apparently a lot:

> >

> > http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/crops/special/medconf/ibrahimf.html

>

> **Wow, thanks, Dave!! That's a keeper. How does anyone survive without it?

> <g>

>

> Barb, running to the store to get some :-)

Somewhere in that article I saw that it works well in conjuction with

fish oil, so I take those caps also. Get mine in the buy 2 get 3 free

sale at puritan.

I've seen quite a few people say it has given them good results for

neuropathy. Mine is so slight that I really can't say, but then, maybe

that's why it's so slight..

--

Dave - 4:19:09 PM

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[Guest guest]

astrocarly@... wrote:

>

> > http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/crops/special/medconf/ibrahimf.html

>

> Dave,

> How much and how often do personally you take?

> thanks

> carol

Hi Carol,

Ok, you asked.. I just want to say I have absolutely no connection

with the following site:

http://www.puritan.com/scriptsp/start.exe/puritan/mainnew.html

I have bought here for a long time. There may be cheaper places, but I

like the quality here. They have their " buy 1 get 2, or buy 2 get 3

free " sale extended to May 12th.

I take the 1000mg softgels, 3xdaily. Some say take 4, but I do the

three.

I buy the 120 per bottle at 34.85 (buy 2 and then get 3 more bottles

free). Not exactly cheap, but pain moderation is worth it.

--

Dave - 4:25:09 PM

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 04/02/2001 4:29:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

fencible@... writes:

> http://www.puritan.com/scriptsp/start.exe/puritan/mainnew.html

>

> I have bought here for a long time. There may be cheaper places, but I

> like the quality here. They have their " buy 1 get 2, or buy 2 get 3

> free " sale extended to May 12th.

>

> I take the 1000mg softgels, 3xdaily. Some say take 4, but I do the

> three.

>

> I buy the 120 per bottle at 34.85 (buy 2 and then get 3 more bottles

> free). Not exactly cheap, but pain moderation is worth it.

>

thanks for the info, I was wondering if I should keep taking my cod liver oil

with it, but they had some listed with it mixed together, so I can keep

taking it.

my neuropathy is pretty ok now, but there are some other things I need help

with that were listed in the info you sent, thanks again.

carol