Is Evening Primrose safe?

Introduction

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO), derived from the seeds of the Evening Primrose plant (Oenothera biennis), is widely used for its potential health benefits. It is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and linoleic acid (LA), which are believed to contribute to its therapeutic properties. This synthesis aims to evaluate the safety of Evening Primrose Oil based on findings from multiple research studies.

Key Insights

Seizure and Epilepsy Concerns:
- Initial concerns about EPO causing seizures or reducing the seizure threshold have been debunked. Studies show that EPO-derived compounds may actually have anticonvulsant properties and should not be listed as a contraindication for individuals with epilepsy.
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties:
- EPO contains high levels of GLA and LA, which are precursors to anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. These compounds have been shown to suppress inflammation mediators and have antioxidative effects, making EPO beneficial for conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and other inflammatory diseases .
Psychological Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women:
- A clinical trial demonstrated that EPO significantly alleviated psychological symptoms in postmenopausal women, with minimal side effects reported, suggesting its safety and efficacy in this demographic.
Pre-eclampsia in Pregnancy:
- A combination of EPO and fish oil was found to significantly reduce the incidence of edema in pregnant women, indicating its potential safety and benefit in preventing pre-eclampsia.
Facilitation of Parturition:
- The use of EPO for facilitating labor in peripartum individuals is not recommended due to insufficient evidence and potential mild adverse effects such as increased blood pressure and nausea.
Lipid Peroxidation and Radical Scavenging:
- EPO has been shown to have a positive effect on reducing lipid peroxidation and scavenging free radicals, which supports its role as a natural antioxidant .

Conclusion

The collective evidence suggests that Evening Primrose Oil is generally safe for use, with beneficial effects in reducing inflammation, alleviating psychological symptoms in postmenopausal women, and potentially preventing pre-eclampsia. However, its use for facilitating labor is not recommended due to insufficient evidence. Overall, EPO appears to be a safe supplement with multiple health benefits, though further research is warranted to confirm its safety in specific conditions.

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Is Evening Primrose safe?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

The safety of evening primrose oil in epilepsy.

Evening primrose oil is safe for use in epilepsy, with its components linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid protecting rats from seizures and having anticonvulsant activity.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Biological Activity Dependent on Chemical Composition

Evening primrose oil, containing high levels of linoleic acid and -linolenic acid, has shown beneficial effects in treating various conditions and aiding in anti-cancer therapy.

Effects of a combination of evening primrose oil (gamma linolenic acid) and fish oil (eicosapentaenoic + docahexaenoic acid) versus magnesium, and versus placebo in preventing pre-eclampsia.

A combination of evening primrose oil and fish oil significantly reduces edema and hypertension in pregnancy, but not pre-eclampsia, compared to magnesium oxide and placebo.

The effects of evening primrose oil on lipid peroxidation induced by subacute aflatoxin exposure in mice.

Evening primrose oil has a positive effect on aflatoxin-induced lipid peroxidation in mice, suggesting its potential as a natural remedy for reducing lipid peroxidation in a variety of conditions.

Evening primrose meal: a source of natural antioxidants and scavenger of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen-derived free radicals.

Evening primrose meal reduces TBARS formation, hexanal, and total volatiles in cooked pork, and effectively scavenges hydrogen peroxide and oxygen-derived free radicals.

Impact of evening primrose oil consumption on psychological symptoms of postmenopausal women: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Evening primrose oil may potentially reduce psychological symptoms in postmenopausal women, but longer trials are needed for more reliable conclusions on its use and safety.

Systematic Review of Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Preparations for the Facilitation of Parturition

Evening primrose preparations are not recommended for facilitating parturition in peripartum individuals due to potential risks and lack of sufficient evidence.

Evening primrose oil is effective in atopic dermatitis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Evening primrose oil is a safe and effective treatment for managing atopic dermatitis, with a significant improvement in symptoms compared to placebo.

Constituents in evening primrose oil with radical scavenging, cyclooxygenase, and neutrophil elastase inhibitory activities.

Evening primrose oil contains lipophilic radical scavengers with potent antioxidant properties, potentially benefiting skin health and reducing inflammation.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis L.): Morphology and Reproductive Biology

Evening primrose seeds contain a significant amount of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which is used in various health products and cosmetics for various conditions.

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