Latin: Oenothera Biennis
The well-known Evening Primrose actually originates right here in America, Central America actually probably first appearing some 70,000 years ago. The early natives were very fond of this plant and many references are found regarding their medicinal uses. The earliest remedies were made with the whole plant (stems, leaves, roots, seeds) and include conditions such as: gastrointestinal upset, asthma, hemorrhoids and female health conditions. The Native Indians also consumed evening primrose as food. In 1619 European settlers transported it back to Europe and it became known as 'king's cure-all' and formed an important part of folk medicine thereafter.
Today however most remedies are made with the oil extracted from the seeds. As a matter of fact over the past 30 years the many reported benefits of Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) have been the subject of rigorous testing in hospitals and universities all over the world.
Botany: The Evening Primrose belongs to the species oenothera, which is in the family of onagraces. It is hairy with a height ranging between 50 cm and 1.5 m with large toothed leaves. Its flowers of pale yellow color only open during the day. They have a soft odor and contain many seeds.
The Evening Primrose is cultivated for its seeds, its leaves, its flowers and even its reddish roots. It protrudes naturally on the slopes, the sand dunes and the open fields and can be found at altitudes as high as 2200 feet, where the climate is moderate.
The flower, at maturity, contains several hundred brown seeds of very small size. It is from these desiccated seeds that oil is extracted. This seed of the flower like that of the blackcurrant contains gamma-linoleic acid. The content of oil in the seed varies between 12 and 30 %, and of this the gamma-linoleic acid content varies between 4 and 12 %
The unrefined oil of Evening Primrose is obtained by a cold pressing and filter method.
Composition: During maturation, the linoleic and gamma-linoleic acids increase in regards to the total lipid count, and the oleic acid decreases. The biosynthesis of the gamma-linoleic and alpha-linoleic acid starts very early: 3 weeks after flowering. At this stage, the rates of these two acids are almost the same. Also the seeds contain approximately 15% protein and are unusually rich in sulphur and amino acids, 24- 25% of the composition is oil and lignin and for cellulose 43%. In addition to sulphur it contains other minerals both Macro and Trace. All the parts of the EPO also contain an abundance of mucilage, tannins and sugars.
Fatty acids
|
Distribution in %
|
| Arachidonic 20:0 | 0.30 | Palmitic 16:0
| 6.00 | | Gamma Linolenic 18:3 |
10.00 |
Oleic 18:1
| 11.50 | | Palmitoleic 16:1 | 0.10 | | Linoleic 18:2 | 70.6
| | Stearic 18:0 | 1.50 |
Properties:
The oil of Evening Primrose is very rich in linoleic acid C18:2 (72%) and is one of rare oils to contain Gamma Linolenic Acid C18:3 (around 9 %).
The primary benefit is that the human metabolism cannot manufacture Linoleic Acid, which is essential to hormone function and blood pressure regulation among other things, so it must thus be present in the food or the cosmetic products. As you can see from above the Evening is very rich in this essential nutrient
Beauty Care:
This is exceptional cosmetic oil due to its percentage of GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid). The GLA enables the body to restructure the phospholipid membrane and to ensure membrane fluidity. Practically this means that GLA enables every cell in the body, including you beautiful skin cells, so stay healthy, functional, and whole. When the skin cells are healthy the skin is healthy, when the skin is healthy, it looks healthy.
Evening Primrose oil also helps the skin retain water and moisture, leaving a soft supple appearance with minimal sagging. As a matter of fact many people enjoy it for its anti-wrinkle and skin regenerating qualities. Usually after one month of use wrinkles begin to decrease.
Due to its specific effects on wrinkles, moisture, and over all cellular health many people consider EPO in the category "Anti-aging"
Nutrition Care:
As mentioned previously EPO high ratio of GLA makes it an important health supplement. GLA is responsible for the production and the regulation of many hormone pre-cursors, and inflammatory regulating chemicals in the body known as prostaglandins. The GLA often decreases inflammation in the body, most commonly believed due to is relationship with the prostaglandins. Some conditions which people treat with EPO are, PMS, arthritis, diabetic nerve damage, eczema, acne, inflammation associated with Lupus, nerve inflammation, protection against MS damage, anti-aging, feminine-balance, and a wealth of others. This oil has been one of the most well researched and medicinally used oils in the last 20 years.
Regarding Multiple Sclerosis this oil has had a very positive effect on even the stabilization of symptoms, as well as protection against damage. Also many women world wide use EPO as the reach menopause, and pre-menopause for stabilization of the symptoms, incl uding bloating, hot-flashes, sleep regulation, and for stabilizing one's moods.
|
