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Evening Primrose Oil
•Last Updated: November 30, 2023
Evening primrose oil (EPO) is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose plant and is primarily composed of the omega-6 fatty acids linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid. EPO may improve cervical readiness during childbirth, but most clinical trials have been small and there are safety concerns that must be considered.
Evening Primrose Oil is most often used for
Last Updated:November 30, 2023
Evening primrose oil (EPO) is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose plant, which is native to North America and is known for its evening-blooming yellow flowers. EPO is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid, but most clinical research has not found clear benefits from its supplementation.
Evening primrose oil (EPO) may enhance cervical ripening and improve Bishop scores, which may potentially aid labor induction; some studies suggest that it may reduce labor time and cesarean rates. However, there is no established dosing, and further large clinical trials are necessary to evaluate its safety and efficacy.
Evening primrose oil (EPO) is generally safe but can cause side effects such as headaches and gastrointestinal issues, and it may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly when combined with blood thinners. Additionally, there are concerns about its potential effects on drug metabolism and a possible association with seizures, especially in people with a history of seizure disorders.
Evening primrose oil (EPO) works primarily through its fatty acid GLA, which has immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects, and it is a precursor to anti-inflammatory eicosanoids like prostaglandin E1. This mechanism is thought to enhance cervical readiness for labor by increasing prostaglandin E1 synthesis.
Note that Evening Primrose Oil is also known as:
- Oenothera biennis
- King's cure-all
- Fever-plant
- Night willow herb
- German rampion
EPO is available in both liquid and capsule form. In clinical trials, oral EPO dosages have generally ranged from 500 mg up to 6 grams daily. For cervical ripening, EPO capsules inserted vaginally appear to be most effective, and dosages of 1 to 4 grams daily are often used. Importantly, optimal dosing of EPO has not been established.[1][2]
The composition of EPO will vary depending on the growing environment and extraction methods used, which could result in varying effects of EPO depending on the preparation used. EPO is also prone to oxidation and should ideally be stored in a dark and tightly sealed container.[2]
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- ^Ahmad Adni LL, Norhayati MN, Mohd Rosli RR, Muhammad JA Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Evening Primrose Oil for Mastalgia Treatment.Int J Environ Res Public Health.(2021-Jun-10)
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- ^Rabahi, M. et al.Pneumonia lipoide secundária ao uso prolongado de óleo de prímulaJ Bras Pneumol.(May 2010)
- ^Cheung KLManagement of cyclical mastalgia in oriental women: pioneer experience of using gamolenic acid (Efamast) in Asia.Aust N Z J Surg.(1999 Jul)
- Eczema Symptoms - Bamford JT, Ray S, Musekiwa A, van Gool C, Humphreys R, Ernst EOral evening primrose oil and borage oil for eczema.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2013-Apr-30)
- Labor Duration (Pregnancy) - Shahinfar S, Abedi P, Jahanfar S, Khajehpoor M, Chashmyazdan MThe effect of evening primrose oil on cervical ripening and birth outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Heliyon.(2023 Feb 8)
- Labor Duration (Pregnancy) - Hemmatzadeh S, Mohammad Alizadeh Charandabi S, Veisy A, Mirghafourvand MEvening primrose oil for cervical ripening in term pregnancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Complement Integr Med.(2023-Jun-01)
- Total cholesterol - Khorshidi M, Zarezadeh M, Moradi Moghaddam O, Emami MR, Kord-Varkaneh H, Mousavi SM, Alizadeh S, Heshmati J, Olang B, Aryaeian NEffect of evening primrose oil supplementation on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Phytother Res.(2020-Oct)
- Hot Flash Symptoms - Christelle, K et al.The Effects of Evening-Primrose Oil on Menopausal Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsCurr Womens Health Rev.(2020-07-01)
- Breast Tenderness - Ahmad Adni LL, Norhayati MN, Mohd Rosli RR, Muhammad JA Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Evening Primrose Oil for Mastalgia Treatment.Int J Environ Res Public Health.(2021-Jun-10)