22 Benefits Of Evening Primrose Oil For Skin, Hair, And Health.
22 Benefits Of Evening Primrose Oil For Skin, Hair, And Health.
Ever wondered how an oil can change your health and beauty for the better? Evening primrose oil is the solution to a lot of health and beauty issues.
It is best known for its ability to balance the hormone levels, cure menopausal symptoms, and induce labor. If used regularly, it provides a wide range of benefits to your health, skin, and hair.
Keep reading to discover just how amazing this wonder oil is.
What Is Evening Primrose Oil.
Evening primrose is a small plant that produces dainty yellow flowers during the spring and summer seasons.
Evening primrose oil is extracted by pressing the seeds of this plant. This oil is known for its labor-inducing effects as well as relieving PMS symptoms like breast pain, headache, bloating, acne, etc.
It is also widely used in the cosmetic industry as one of the main ingredients in soaps and shampoos.
Here’s a glimpse into the profile of evening primrose oil.
Scientific Name: Oenothera biennis.
Also Known As: EPO, Night willow herb, Primrose seed oil, Primrose oil, Huile de Primrose.
Origin: The evening primrose plant is native to North America and Europe, specifically England.
Color, Smell, And Texture: The oil is a beautiful golden yellow and has a slightly nutty scent. It has a thick consistency that is absorbed into the skin very slowly.
Shelf Life: The general shelf life of this oil is 6 months, but it lasts longer if refrigerated.
How Safe Is It.
Evening primrose oil is usually safe for people who use it for a short period and in the recommended dosage.
Short-term implications include nausea, headache, and loose stools. If you experience these symptoms, it means that your dose is too high.
It is always a good idea to do a patch test on your arm to check if your skin is allergic to it. If you don’t experience any irritation, redness or rashes within 1-2 hours, you can use it on your face and body.
Let’s see why we this oil is good for your face and body.
What Are Its Health Benefits.
From regulating your mood swings to controlling your blood sugar levels, the benefits of evening primrose oil are plenty.
1. Helps Treat PMS And Menopausal Symptoms.
Women have been taking primrose oil to treat their hormonal imbalance since years, and all for a good reason.
Studies have shown that the omega-6 fatty acids in the oil help treat menopausal and premenstrual symptoms (PMS).
When a woman undergoes menopause or PMS, she experiences symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, acne, or irritability. Making sure to get enough of omega-6 fatty acids, like linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), can help balance the overall hormone levels in the body.
Another common symptom experienced by most women is hot flashes. A six-week clinical trial study was performed on 56 menopausal women to test the efficacy of evening primrose oil to treat hot flashes. It was found that primrose oil was highly effective in treating and decreasing the frequency of hot flashes.
2. Induces Labor.
There are several natural ways to induce labor if you are past your due date. One of the best ways is to use evening primrose oil.
Its supplements can be either taken orally or inserted vaginally after the 37th week of pregnancy. Studies suggest that it can help shorten the duration of labor.
3. Improves Fertility.
Evening primrose oil can be used to increase fertility in women naturally.
But how.
Evening primrose oil increases the quality of cervical mucus, making it a very fertile ground for the sperm. This facilitates the free movement of the sperm through the cervix.
When a woman does not produce enough cervical mucus or fluid, the motility of the sperm is restricted, and this decreases the chances of conception.
4. Controls Diabetes.
Evening primrose oil helps people with diabetes by preventing its common symptoms and complications.
The GLA in the oil helps relieve nerve pain and prevent nerve damage by reducing the numbness and tingling that is experienced by diabetic patients.
A study was done on diabetic rats to test the effects of evening primrose oil on nerve conduction. It concluded that the oil rapidly reversed the nerve conduction deficits. It also acts as a vasodilator, thus helping to reduce blood pressure.
5. Helps Manage Osteoporosis.
Consuming evening primrose oil regularly helps to reduce the risk of fractures in patients suffering from osteoporosis. This oil improves the bone mineral density and makes your bones stronger and healthier.
A few studies have proved that the presence of GLA in the oil makes it highly effective in the management of osteoporosis,.
6. Aids Weight Loss.
While some studies found that evening primrose oil was quite useful for managing obesity, a few other studies showed no significant benefits of using this for weight loss.