Natural and Sustainable

Native to North America, evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) can also be found in Asia and Europe. It has been used for stomach upsets, coughs, and even bruises while eating the root of the plant.

The health of the oil include, essential fatty acids (EFA) and it is used today to maintian health and prevent disease. It guards against breast cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and stomach ulcers. Evening primrose (EP) oil is rich in omega-6 fats containing both linoleic acid (LA) and gamma linolenic (GLA). The only other oils that have shown the same fatty oil and to bring to the table the same health benefits in their plants seeds include borage seed oil, hempseed oil, and black currant seed oil.

Some important uses of this essential oil also are:

• Premenstrual Syndrowm (PMS): Women with PMS may have a deficiency of prostaglandina in the central nervous system. Supplementing with GLA in the form of evening primrose oil appears to increase production of beneficial prostaglandis.

• Osteoporosis: This is another area where EFAs, including evening primrose oil, may be useful. EFas help increase clacium absorption from the gut. In part by enhancing the effexts of vitamin D, reduceing urinary excretion of calcium, increases calcium deposition in the bone, and improve boen strength.

• Healthy Pregnancy: As well as fetal development, depending on the right EFA balance. Essential fatty acids have a unique role during pregnancy because of the rapid development of new cell growth, new tissue, and new organ systems in a delevopment of new cell growth, new tissues, and new organ systems in a developing fetus. Fetal development demands a high EFA requirement, and this supply is dependent on the amount and availability of EFAs from the mother.

• Arthritis: Person suffering from arthritis symptoms responds to GLA supplementation. Using EP oil consistently shows that individuals can benefit from taking up to 2,800 mg of GLA. There are benefits using evening primrose oil supplements in osteoarthritis as well as rheumatoid arthritis.

• Diabetes: Has been associated with abnormalities in essential fatty acid metabolism. One of these abnormailities involved interference with the conversion of LA and GLA. GLA can improve muscle strength, hot and cold therapy assoicated with sensation and reflexes.

• Cholesterol: Levels of cholesterol may benefit for GLA. Although fish and flax oils have received considerable attention for their effects on blood lipids and the blood pressure, other essentail fatty acids can also be useful in lowering or leveling out the cholesterol count.

The safety issue with this oil is normal. Other than cautions using evening primrose oil on person with epileptic disorder, all other disorders or health concerns are free to attempt the oil to help benefit them and their condition. With any oil, always read the contraindications before use or talk to a health care provider to see how the oil can benefit you.

**Looking for some books to cuddle up in the couch with this winter and read? Then check out JM’s book list over at The Book Stacks to help get your started. There are great books that made her list, one being If I Were You, by: Julia Llewellyn. Check out the rest of the list by clicking here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: If you see litter or trash anywhere, pick it up and place it in either a nearby trash can or a nearby recycle bin. The more we all pick up the better our Earth will look and have to get rid of on it’s own.