Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil is extracted from a plant that is native to North American and has been used medicinally for centuries.

Image from Wikipedia

Evening Primrose Oil has the highest concentration of an Omega-6, gamma linolenic acid (GLA), fatty acids of any food source. Essential fatty acids are nutrients that the body does not produce and must be gotten through diet. These fatty acids are what helps maintain healthy tissues, and regulate insulin levels, functions of the heart, and moods. What exactly does this mean to you, though. GLA is known to help regulate the nervous system and the hormone systems of the body.

But wait!

There's more! GLA is also thought to help certain types of headaches and the pain associated with PMS. It can also help fight cravings for carbs, improve your heart health, assist in weight loss, improve acne, create healthier breast tissue, nourish scalp and nails, minimize rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups and help suppress irritable bowel inflammation.

Why should you take it?

PMS: EPO can help lessen menstrual cramps, minimize breast tenderness, keep the carb cravings in control.

MENOPAUSE: Reduces hot flashes

PREGNANCY: Prevents preeclampsia, starting and shortening labor, and preventing late deliveries

DIABETES: Possibly prevent and maybe even reverse nerve damage

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: Lessens joint pain and swelling

HAIR AND NAILS: Can prevent cracking in nails, but also keeps them healthy in general, can also help with various hair problems

The way I see it, Evening Primrose Oil could be a great supplement to take! You have to know your body, you have to know the supplement, and you have to decide for youself. I, myself, have noticed a big improvement with PMS symptoms when I take it.

Generally, Evening Primrose Oil is safe for anyone to take, but a few notes:

People with bleeding problems or blood disorders should not take evening primrose, and they should stop taking it at least two weeks before surgery. Omega-6 fatty acid supplements should not be taken by people with seizure disorders.- Livestrong.Com

Adults may take capsules of two to eight grams containing eight percent GLA daily. Now, my Evening Primrose Oil is labeled in milligrams so to spare you the trouble of figuring out what you need to do.... 1 gram equals 1,000 milligrams. Spring Valley Evening Primrose Oil is the brand I use- it's cheap and I feel the quality is good.

However, you might like something organic, if so check out Mountain Rose Herbs.

Now.... I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. Please, do your own research! None of this information is intended to diagnose or to prescribe. And with everything- even natural remedies can have side effects and interfere with other medicines/herbs.

Do you take Evening Primrose Oil?