Evening Primrose Oil

Grown in Europe and North America, evening primrose is a nocturnal plant, with pretty yellow blooms which open as the sun goes down, hence its name.

Evening primrose oil, extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose, is rich in the omega-6 fatty acids linoleic acid and gamma-linoleic acid, or GLA, the substances that are thought to give evening primrose oil tablets their potential benefits.

Many people choose evening primrose oil for their hair and skin. 

Evening primrose seems to help improve skin’s overall condition, with studies showing improvements in moisture, elasticity and resistance to fatigue.

Additionally, evening primrose oil may support hair health, thanks to the presence of arachidonic acid, a substance believed to trigger new growth and improve the length of existing hair shafts. 

Doses of up to 1300mg a day are considered safe for adults, although for most, 500mg is enough evening primrose oil.

Evening primrose oil is not recommended for anybody on blood thinning drugs such as Warfarin.

It is also not advised if you have a condition that can cause seizures or if you are pregnant.

Side effects of taking evening primrose oil tend to be rare and mild, most common are headaches, nausea, diarrhoea and indigestion. 

However, some people may experience an allergic reaction or a drop in blood pressure. Always consult your doctor if you experience any noticeable negative effects.