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Evening Primrose

Onagraceae, Oenothera biennis

Names	History	Constituents	Uses
Onagraceae Family, Common Evening Primrose, Great Evening Primrose, Willow - Herb, Night Willow-Herb, Kings' Cure-All, Fever Plant'Scabish Scurvish Sundrop Tree Primrose.	Used traditionally as a food by North American tribes, the root was boiled and the flowers used as a sweet in salads. Evening Primrose grows all over the world. Traditional med uses were as astringent, antibioitc, mucilaginous, expectorant, antitussive and digestive stimulant.	Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) -9.7%, Linoleic-74.1% , Palmitic- 5.9% , Oleic- 7%	PMS benign breast disease atopic exzema psoriasis cholesterol regulation platelet aggregation blood pressure regulation obesity multiple sclerosis arthritis mental disorders (like schizophrenia) rheumatism alcoholism arthritis childhood hyperactivity Raynauds' Syndrome ( cold hands) (post-viral fatigue syndrome), alcohol withdrawal improves liver and brain function post alcohol withdrawal. EPO has 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. The  pain of angina Female problems (menstrual cramps, hot flashes) and Endometriosis are reported to be relieved. Whooping cough and many types of coughs can be helped along with some headaches, nervousness, depression, eye problems In laboratory tests, Evening Primrose oil stops the growth of many kinds of cancer cells, suggesting it should be a cancer prevention. Promising areas for use include cancer, the long-term complications of diabetes and the side effects of radiotherapy

Contra-Indications

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.

EPO has 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.

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.
Patients with a history of epilepsy should avoid evening primrose oil as it may lower their threshold for seizures.
Also, those taking phenothiazines for schizophrenia should use evening primrose oil with caution as it may precipitate epilepsy.
The most common side-effects reported in trials are headache and mild nausea.

Evening Primrose - Safety Factors &Toxicity

The toxicity of Evening Primrose appears to be very low.

Companion Article:     CLICK Evening Primrose