By: Hira Hassan
Evening primrose is a plant that grows throughout Europe and parts of Asia and it is a native to North and South America. It contains yellow color flowers that open at sunset and close during the day. The oil from the seeds of evening primrose is extracted and used to make medicine.
Every plant has some specialty some used as food, some used as a cosmetic product like aloe Vera etc. But evening primrose plant has its own importance. It is a multipurpose plant used for many health issues and also used as a beauty product for skin. It is a miracle for female heath.
- Its oil used for skin health issues like acne aging
- It is used for post menopausal issues
- Treatment for hot flashes
- Fertility related issues
- Cure for cyclic breast pain
SKIN BENEFITS:
Perhaps one of the best-known beauty benefits of evening primrose oil is its ability to reduce the symptoms of dryness. In skincare formulations, evening primrose oil has emollient properties, meaning it helps soften and smooth the skin, improving the skin’s overall texture. It also helps lock in moisture to minimize water loss. This effectively keeps the skin hydrated and supple and keeps the skin moisture barrier functioning as it should. As such, several studies have concluded that evening primrose oil is a viable treatment for atopic dermatitis—a condition characterized by dry, flaky, itchy skin.
As we know, the skin moisture barrier’s primary job is to protect your skin from damaging external aggressors, like pollution and ultraviolet radiation. In order to do its job properly, the barrier needs nourishment in the form of essential vitamins, water, and lipid-rich fatty acids, including linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is the most abundant fatty acid in the skin barrier and is responsible for helping maintain the skin’s structure and function. A lack of linoleic acid in the barrier can result in visible skin concerns such as dryness and premature aging. An unhealthy or under- nourished skin moisture barrier is also more vulnerable to stressors that can result in premature skin aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. Studies show that using products rich in linoleic acid, like evening primrose oil, can help ensure the barrier stays strong and better able to resist the visible signs of aging.
CURE FOR FEMALE HEALTH RELATED ISSUES:
Evening primrose oil has been used as a fertility tonic. The gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) is converted into prostaglandin hormones when ingested through primrose oil, making it one of the best types of fatty acids for internal healing and increasing cervical mucus production in women who are trying to conceive.
Evening primrose oil is used by many women to treat the symptoms of menopause. The oil does not stop the menopausal process but helps users deal with common side effects. Hot flashes, a condition that causes women to become hot and flustered, are said to be alleviated by evening primrose oil.
EPO may reduce the severity of hot flashes, one of the most uncomfortable side effects of menopause. According to a 2010 literature review, there’s not enough evidence that over-the-counter remedies such as EPO help hot flashes. A later study, however, came to a different conclusion. The study found that women who took 500 mg daily of EPO for six weeks experienced less frequent, less severe, and shorter hot flashes.
According to a 2010 study, the GLA in EPO is thought to reduce inflammation and help inhibit prostaglandins that cause cyclical breast pain. The study found that taking daily doses of EPO or EPO and vitamin E for six months decreased the severity of cyclical breast pain.