Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primroses seem rather inconspicuous during the day, but at dusk, these herbaceous plants begin to open their flowers – so quickly that you can watch them do it. They spread their characteristic sweet, sometimes almost overpowering scent. After the flowering period, evening primrose oil can be extracted by cold pressing from the seeds, which are produced in the hundreds on a flower spike. The oil is particularly rich in omega-6 fatty acids and is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a natural remedy.

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Evening primroses (Oenothera) are a plant genus belonging to the evening primrose family (Onagraceae) and include around 200 different species. The plants are native to the New World and were introduced from North America to Europe in the 17th century. Initially cultivated in gardens and parks, they eventually naturalized and spread throughout Europe. These fairly undemanding plants prefer to grow wild on fallow land, embankments, and railway slopes. Today, they are cultivated on a large scale. The reason: the evening primrose oil extracted from the seeds.

Evening primrose oil contains these plants abundantly. Gamma-linolenic acid and linoleic acid are the main components of the oil – two polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acids that the human body cannot produce on its own and therefore must obtain through diet. Additionally, evening primrose oil contains oleic acid, other fatty acids, as well as minerals, proteins, and vitamin E.

Indigenous peoples of North America used evening primrose oil for women's ailments and skin rashes. Today, the oil’s primary use is in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Patients with this condition are suspected to have a metabolic disorder. They may lack an enzyme involved in the body's processing of omega-6 fatty acids. The result is dry, scaly skin accompanied by unpleasant itching. These symptoms are said to be alleviated by evening primrose oil, although clear study results are still lacking. However, its high fat content is believed to help soothe the skin. Due to its pronounced fat and moisture content, evening primrose oil is often included in cosmetic products, especially creams.

The oil is also discussed for use in mastodynia, particularly cycle-related breast tenderness, and nerve damage associated with diabetes.

The plant’s decorative appearance is why evening primrose found its way to Europe. This biennial herbaceous plant grows between 100 and 200 cm tall. From June, it develops large yellow flowers with red to purple markings that fuse into a tube. Although these flowers fade fairly quickly, they produce pods containing the seeds from which evening primrose oil is extracted. New edible flowers continuously form, providing gardeners with long-lasting enjoyment.