Evening Primerose oil

About Evening Primrose 

Oenothera biennis is a species of gemus oenothera belonging to family of Onagraceae.It grows in habitat of terrestrial wetlands, therefore is native to eastern and central America. The plants are very tall ranging from 4 to 5 feet in height. The stem is straight, solid, soft-hairy, rosy and branching forming a shrub. It has the life span of two years. The leaves are simply lobed but not removed from leaflets leaflet. The Flower petal is of colour yellow and the flower is radically symmetrical.

Physicochemical properties of Oil

Colour & Odour: It is Pale yellow to golden yellow liquid with Characteristic odour

Solubility: Basically Soluble in alcohol and oils but Insoluble in water

Specific Gravity: Greater than 1 at 15degree Celsius

Refractive Index: 1.47

Flash Point: Less than 100degree Celsius

Extraction

The oil is extracted from the seed of the evening primrose by steam distillation.

Chemical composition

Its main constituents are essential fatty acids of omega-6 family. Both linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)

Uses

Eczema: - The oil is famous for its effective treatment against the eczema, as it is a skin condition that causes a red, itchy, and occasionally aching rash.

Diabetic Neuropathy: - The GLA in evening primrose oil aid to avert, and sometimes reverses, the nerve damage (neuropathy) normally seen in the case of diabetic. The symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation are lowered down with use of this carrier oil.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS):- As this carrier oil is rich in the essential fatty acids, so it becomes an effective healer in the treatment of PMS. Prostaglandin found in the oil lowers the effect of prolactin. It is a hormone that produces the change in mood and regulates the fluid metabolism, so this oil complements the deficieny of this hormone.

Osteoporosis: - It increases the bone density by improving the level of calcium in the body.