Evening Primrose
Scientific name: Oenothera biennis
Synonyms: fever plant, king’s cure-all, night willow-herb
Part(s) used
Seed oil
Principal constituents
Essential fatty acids (gammalinoleic acid, linoleic acid)
Recognized therapeutic effects
- Relieves symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
- Relieves mastalgia
- Treats auto-immune disorders, particularly multiple sclerosis
- Treats some skin conditions, such as atopic eczema, acne vulgaris, sores
- Fights chronic inflammation
- Fights allergies and bronchial asthma
- Beneficial in cases of diabetic neuropathy
- Used to treat attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity in children
Traditional use
Contraindications
- Epilepsy and epileptic mania
- Schizophrenia
Please note: Safety for use during pregnancy has not yet been established
Drug interactions
- Possible increased incidence of epileptic seizures when taken with anticonvulsants (Lamictal, Topamax, etc.)
- Increased incidence of epileptic seizures when taken with antipsychotics (Fluanxol, Largactil, Moditen, etc.) used to treat schizophrenia
Please note: In the literature on tests on human subjects, a case is reported of a patient who had taken evening primrose oil and subsequently had an epileptic seizure under anesthesia. The concomitant use of other drugs was also noted, however.
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