What Is Epo

---

Evening primrose is a wildflower that grows throughout the U.S., and has served as food and medicine throughout history, often for upset stomach and respiratory infections. The oil is found in the plant's seeds and is high in the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Native Americans ate the boiled, nutty-flavored root, and used leaf poultices from the plant for bruises and hemorrhoids. European settlers took the root back to England and Germany, where it was introduced as food and became known as German rampion because it grew as a crawling vine. The plant was also a Shaker medicine, sold commercially.



Oil is extracted from the seeds and prepared as medicine using a chemical called hexane. The seeds contain up to 25% essential fatty acids including linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Both LA and GLA belong to the omega-6 family of fatty acids. The vast majority of North Americans get too much omega-6 fatty acid in their diet. However, there are different types of omega-6 fatty acids. Some are health promoting, such as those found in evening primrose oil (EPO), while others can be more harmful, such as those typically found in the standard American diet. The body needs a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to function normally. Omega-3 oils can be found in cold water fish such as salmon, as well as some plant sources, or in dietary supplements.Other sources of GLA include spirulina (a blue-green algae), borage, hemp, and black currant oils.Medicinal Uses and Indications:EPO is used primarily to relieve the itchiness associated with certain skin conditions (such as eczema and dermatitis) and to ease breast tenderness from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or other causes. Some of the uses for EPO include:AllergiesEPO has been reported effective for rashes, particularly skin rash or hives (itching).EczemaEczema symptoms include redness and scaling in addition to itching. More than 30 human studies report the benefits of EPO for eczema and dermatitis. A study of 1,207 patients reported that EPO was beneficial for skin conditions, including itching, crusting, edema (fluid, swelling), and redness. EPO can be used in children and adults with skin conditions.PMSEPO can help with symptoms of PMS, including mood swings, bloating, and breast tenderness.ArthritisClinical trials of EPO for arthritis began in the early 1980s. Available research has not demonstrated consistent support for arthritis, and currently there is not adequate evidence to recommend for or against this use of EPO.Diabetic NeuropathyDiabetic neuropathy is a nerve condition caused by diabetes. Patients experience numbness, tingling, pain, burning, or lack of sensation in the feet and legs. EPO may be beneficial in reducing these symptoms.Breast PainEPO is officially licensed for the treatment of breast pain (mastalgia) in the United Kingdom and considered first-line therapy in several European countries. EPO was found effective at decreasing breast pain in several clinical studies, however, other studies show no benefit.Menopausal symptomsAlthough EPO has gained some popularity for treating hot flashes, the research to date has not confirmed that GLA or EPO is beneficial for these symptoms.Other usesBreast cancer and breast cystsMultiple sclerosisHeart diseaseRaynaud's diseaseChronic fatigue syndromePregnancy-induced hypertension (pre-eclampsia)Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)AsthmaIt is the balance of omega-6 (such as GLA) and omega-3 (such as fish oil) that promotes health. Taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement along with EPO may be more beneficial for health than EPO alone in these and other conditions.The main active ingredient in EPO is an omega-6 fatty acid known as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). See What's It Made Of section.

---