Now it’s very common that every woman knows that when:
- she’s got spots and troubled skin that just never go away – she takes EPO
- she’s got nasty monthly cramps from PMS or she’s dealing with menopause/peri-menopause – she takes EPO
- she’s got pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis – she takes EPO
- she’s got a sunburn – she takes EPO
Obviously there are more healing benefits of taking Evening Primrose Oil, but it could well end up a long list so I can’t list them all down; although the idea is clear- there are many benefits to a woman when she takes EPO and it is essentially a woman’s herb.
Today, most of us know Evening Primrose Oil butmerely as a supplement that conveniently comes in a vege-capsule of 500-1000mg content. We appreciate it to be a rich source of essential fatty acid (EFA); in particular the fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA) -the important intermediary in the metabolic conversion of linolenic acid into Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) which is inter-convertible, and responsible to modulate the action of many hormones.
Briefly, Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) is so named because the human body cannot produce them and they must be obtained from the diet. EFAs are responsible to maintain the function of cell membranes, regulate pain and inflammation, prevent blood clots, regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and help to produce hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins.
But what most of us don’t know is that Evening Primrose Oil, (EPO), is extracted from the seeds of Oenothera bienni. That means that the EPO isn’t extracted from a member of the Primrose family, but instead it is extracted from a member of the Willow herb family. The Evening Primrose merely got its beautiful whilst deceiving name ‘Primrose’ because it’s lovely yellow flowers closely resemble that of the primrose family’s.
Also the unique trait that the plant’s flowers only open in the evenings grants it the first name, ‘Evening’.
The Evening Primrose plant has a 2 year cycle – the flowers will only bloom in the second year and only after can the seeds be harvested and pressed to give us the remarkable EPO.
Although most people are aware to select EPO that are vegetarian friendly, many are not aware that they should be puchasing EPO that is organic and cold pressed in order to reap the full benefit of the supplement.
And if you are lucky enough to have the actual plant, then by all means make the best of it. All parts of the evening primrose plant are safe for consumption
(roots can be boiled and eaten like parsnips, seeds roasted as a substitute to coffee)
The Evening Primrose is every bit the woman’s herb – beautiful and internally nurturing!
