How much evening primrose oil should I take?

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Evening primrose oil is suggested for a wide variety of different ailments, including depression, hyperactivity, anxiety, asthma, arthritic pain and blood related disorders. It is most commonly recommended for a variety of symptoms experienced by women including PMS (premenstrual syndrome), pre menopausal symptoms and occasionally for inducing labour. How much you are advised to take will probably depend upon your condition, but the standard intake as a food supplement is two 1000mg (two 74mg of GLA) capsules per day with a cold drink. Complimentary therapies are becoming more popular as the benefits of herbal remedies are being acknowledged as the source of many pharmaceutical remedies. Whilst herbal remedies such as evening primrose oil may provide health benefits, their strength should not be underestimated.

Suitability and Dosage

You should take evening primrose oil in capsule form as directed by the packaging or by a qualified practitioner. As with any medication, if you are uncertain, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If your condition persists or worsens you should seek professional medical advice. It is recommended that you consult a doctor before taking this medication if you have a psychiatric disorder, suffer from epilepsy, or are taking psychiatric medicines such as chlorpromazine or fluphenazine. It is extremely important to tell your GP about any medications that you are taking including the use of complimentary therapies such as evening primrose oil, as some can interfere dangerously with existing prescribed medications. The dose which you should use may depend upon other symptoms or conditions you may have, your weight, age and other factors. It is NOT recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

Sources of Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant, so called because it flowers late in the day and wilts in bright sunlight. The oil is usually purified and can be bought in capsule form. Evening primrose oil is possibly praised for its benefits because it is known to contain the polyunsaturated fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is also present in high amounts in blackcurrant seed and borage seed oils.

Key Benefits

GLA is an essential fatty acid that is needed for the body's development and which may not be present in the diet; fatty acids are known to be essential to the human body's ability to function healthily. Because of a modern diet, the only practical way in which to receive this type of oil is through capsules that contain it in high amounts. The implication is that by solving a lack of this essential fatty acid, the human body can be treated for a number of ailments.

As a general food supplement, (for which dose instructions should be on the packaging: around 2000mg daily in total) evening primrose has been said to treat blood-related diseases; It is thought that evening primrose oil may lower the risk of heart attacks and clots because of its high content of Essential Fatty Acids, which are said to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Evening primrose oil is also helpful in correcting hyperactivity and anxiety and positive results for these symptoms have been recorded. Although there is no strong scientific evidence to support the benefits of taking evening primrose oil as a supplement, many people who have taken it will vouch for its positive effects.

How Relevant is it to You?

It has been used widely to help women cope with premenstrual syndrome, easing the symptoms of abdominal bloating, headaches, fluid retention, depression, painful breasts, lethargy and more. It is also thought to help symptoms associated with the menopause. The GLA in evening primrose is thought to correct a chemical imbalance in the body which causes these hormonal symptoms; the recommended dose is either two 500mg capsules twice daily or two 1000mg capsules once daily.

More on Side Effects

Evening primrose has recently been heralded as a supplement which will induce labour. For this reason, it is not suggested for pregnant women until they are full term (36 weeks). Its ability to induce labour has not been proven, but it is commonly used as a method of preparing the cervix for labour. Evening primrose oil is said to act as a prostaglandin, which softens the cervix helping with dilation: it can cause contractions, but it is likely that these are just preparing the body for labour, rather than the onset of labour itself. Evening primrose may therefore ease the eventual labour by being taken daily from week 34 or 36 of the pregnancy. At 38 weeks, the dose can be increased to three to four 500mg capsules daily. The capsules can also be inserted vaginally at night time, or the oil can be applied to the perineum or directly to the cervix. It is worth mentioning that the quantities of evening primrose oil which can be absorbed through the skin are said to be negligible, so the act of application itself should be harmless.

Symptoms of overdose may include diarrhoea and stomach pain. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember but do not over compensate by doubling a dose to catch up. If you suspect an overdose you should contact your doctor. You should never share any medicines with other people.

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