Evening Primrose Oil Supplement Uses & Safety

Overview of Evening Primrose Oil

Scientific Name: Oenothera

Order: Myrtales

Family: Onagraceae

The seeds are pressed for their oil, which is high in the n-6 (omega-6) fatty acids, linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

Evidence

Strong:

insufficient information

Good:

Supplies the Body with Omega-6 Fatty Acids [1-5]

Promising:

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) in Infants, oral doses of evening primrose oil [6-8]

Conflicting (Unclear):

Arthritis [9-13]
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema), oral consumption of evening primrose oil appears to produce conflicting results; however, evening primrose oil applied topically or added to bath water may be effective [14-26]
Breast Pain (Mastalgia) [27-36]

Limited Evidence:

Chronic Kidney Disease, treatment of skin symptoms [37]
Diabetic Neuropathy [38-39]
Dry Eyes due to Contact Lenses, oral dose of evening primrose oil [40]
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) [41]
Lowers Cholesterol [42]
Menopausal Complaints, a blend containing evening primrose oil / damiana / ginseng / royal jelly may be effective [43-45]
Mild to Moderate Hypertension [46]
Multiple Sclerosis, a blend of evening primrose oil / hemp seed oil [47]
Nail Health [48]
Raynaud’s Phenomenon [49]
Sjogren’s Syndrome [50-52]
Tardive Dyskinesia [53]
Type 1 Diabetes, improving fatty acid counts [54]
Type 2 Diabetes, improves fatty acid counts in adults and children [55-56]

No Evidence:

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder); however, evening primrose oil in combination with zinc may be more effective [57-59]
Asthma, evening primrose oil in combination with fish oil may also not be effective [60-62]
Breast Cyst [63]
Breast Milk, improving fatty acid counts [64-67]
Cellulite [68]
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [69]
Cystic Fibrosis [70]
Decreases Natural Killer Cell Activity [71]
Heart Health [72]
Hepatitis B [73]
Hypertriglyceridemia [74]
Liver Cancer [75]
Osteoporosis (Bone Density), when evening primrose oil is used independently [76]
Pre-eclampsia [77-79]
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) [80-83]
Psoriasis, evening primrose oil in combination with fish oil [84]
Stomach Ulcers [85]
Weight Loss [86]

No Clinical Research:

All other conditions.

Side Effects

Side effects may include:

Bloating
Diarrhea
Gastrointestinal Upset
Headache
Inflammation
Nausea
Rashes
Vomiting

Precautions and Adverse Events:

Use caution or contact a licensed healthcare practitioner if you have schizophrenia, seizures, or epilepsy because there have been reports of evening primrose oil lowering seizure threshold, but these reports may have actually been caused by other medications.

There have been cases of evening primrose oil causing lipid pneumonia, thrombosis (blood clots), inflammation, immunosuppression, an increase in the risk of bleeding, petechiae (red to purple spots in the skin).

[87-92]

Pregnant or Nursing

There is not enough research on the use of supplements containing evening primrose oil during pregnancy and breast-feeding, so consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before use or avoid use. Evening primrose oil is commonly used during breast-feeding to increase the amount of omega-6 fatty acids in breast milk, but there is not enough research about its safety and effectiveness. There had been one case of an infant born with transient petechiae to a mother taking evening primrose oil. [87-92]

Interactions

Major:

Warfarin
Anti-Coagulants
Ant-Platelet Drugs
Lopinavir

[93-97]

Moderate:

Anti-Convulsants
Chlorpromazine
Fluphenazine
Mesoridazine
Perphenazine
Phenothiazines
Prochlorperazine
Promethazine
Thioridazine
Thiothixene
Trifluoperazine

[93-97]

Potential:

Protease Inhibitors including HIV/AIDS Drugs

[93-97]

Dosage

Evening primrose oil is not a "drug", so the best doses have not been thoroughly established. Make sure to follow the specific product instructions and take as directed on the label, or consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before use.

Compounds

[Afendi et al. 2012]

References