What is Evening Primrose Oil (evening primrose)?
Evening primrose is a flowering plant also known as Oenothera biennis, scabish, king’s cureall, night willow herb, sun drop, and fever plant. Evening primrose has been used in alternative medicine as an aid in treating heart disease, high cholesterol, circulation problems, premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis, breast pain, certain symptoms of menopause, eczema, psoriasis, acne, osteoporosis, and multiple sclerosis. It has also been used in cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, diabetes, hyperactivity, and stomach or intestinal disorders. Not all uses for evening primrose have been approved by the FDA. Evening primrose should not be substituted for medications prescribed for you by your doctor. Evening primrose is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable
