What is evening primrose oil good for?
The evening primrose plant, known scientifically as Oenothera biennis, is a flowering herb native to North America, and is named for its bright yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. Evening primrose oil is what is extracted from the seeds of the plant, and this oil has been used in traditional medicine for centuries by indigenous native Americans.
Omega-6 content
It is thought that the main benefits of the oil are due to its high content in linoleic acid and gamma-linoleic acid, which are omega-6 fatty acids, although it is also rich in other compounds, including vitamin E.
Health benefits
Despite its demonstrated nutritional qualities, long term usage safety profile, and its documented history in treating several diseases, research has not managed to identify any clear benefits of evening primrose oil supplementation.
Despite this, there is a growing body of evidence that evening primrose oil could be used to treat such conditions as dermatitis, arthritis, premenstrual syndrome, menopause symptoms and gastrointestinal upset, for example.
When should I take evening primrose oil?
Evening primrose oil can potentially cause side effects such as nausea or bloating when taken on an empty stomach. In addition to that, one of the main reasons why people take evening primrose oil is due to its omega-6 fatty acid content, and it is known that fatty acids are best absorbed when taken with a meal, especially one that contains healthy dietary fats.
There does not appear to be any conclusive time of day that is optimal for taking evening primrose oil, so you can fit it into your schedule with whichever meal is most suitable, at any time of day.
What does evening primrose oil combine well with?
Evening primrose oil with omega-3
Being a source of omega-6 fatty acids, evening primrose oil is often taken in combination with omega-3 fatty acid supplements, such as fish oil or krill oil, in order to maintain a balanced ratio between omega-3s and omega-6s.
What should I avoid taking evening primrose oil with?
Avoid with omega-6
This also means that evening primrose oil should not be combined with additional omega-6 fatty acid supplementation, such as pumpkin seed oil for example, as excessive omega-6 intake, or rather an imbalance in the ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, can have negative health effects.
Evening primrose oil may enhance the effects of blood thinners, and increase the risk of bleeding or bruising in people taking them, so they should not be taken together.
Who should avoid taking evening primrose oil supplements?
One important thing to note, you should not take evening primrose oil if you are pregnant, as doing so could endanger you, and potentially the baby.
Evening Primrose Oil data sources & further reading
Last updated by Asklepios on 30th January, 2025