Eczema evening primrose

It is claimed that chronic deficiency of arachidonic acid can lead to a number of medical problems that can be overcome by supplementation of a normal diet with evening primrose oil. Supplementation is claimed to lead to an alleviation of eczema reduction in premenstrual tension and breast pain during menstruation improvement in some chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases reduction in blood pressure in hypertensive patients and reduction in blood cholesterol levels. As might be expected, these claims are controversial, but they serve to illustrate how basic biochemical information can lead to a considerable lay interest in a subject. 

Evening Primrose Oil (Oenof/iera biennis) Uses PMS, diabetic neuropathy, ADHD, IBS, RA, mastalgia Action Anti-inflammatory, antispas-modic, diuretic, sedative effects related to a high concentration of essential fatty acids esp GLA CLA their conversion into prostaglandins Available forms Caps, gel-caps, Liq dose depends on GLA content DM neuropathy 4000-6000 mg PO OD Eczema 4000 mg PO OD Mastalgia 3000 1000 mg PO -r doses PMS 2000-4000 mg PO OD RA Up to 5000 mg PO OD Notes/SE Indigestion, N, soft stools, flatulence, HA, anorexia, rash Contra Do not use PRG or lactation do not use persons w/ Sz disorders Interactions T Phenobarbital metabolism, i Sz threshold, T effects OF diuretics, sedatives EMS May take up to 4 mo for max effectiveness T risk of Szs... 

Evening primrose oil is rich in the essential fatty acid linoleic acid and its metabolite, y-linolenic acid. In the U.K., evening primrose oil preparations have received approval as medicines for the relief of atopic eczema and for the symptomatic treatment of breast pain. 

Wright, S. and Burton, J.L., Evening primrose seed oil improves atopic eczema, Lancet, ii, 1120, 1982. 

Schalin-Karrila, M., Mattila, L., Jansen, C.T., and Uottila, P., Evening primrose oil in the treatment of atopic eczema effect on clinical status, plasma phospholipid fatty acids and circulating blood prostaglandins, Br J. Dermatol., 117, 11, 1987. 

Gamma-linolenic acid (18 3n-6) is an important unsaturated fatty acid. It is the precursor for biosynthesis of arachidonic acid that is a precursor for prostaglandin formation. Recently, y-linolenic acid has been recognized for its potential health benefits in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders, premenstrual syndrome, atopic eczema, rheumatic arthritis, and alcoholism (13, 14). Seed oils of blackcurrant and other Ribes species, as well as evening primrose seed oils, are rich sources of natural y-linolenic acid. 

The seeds of Oenothera biennis (evening primrose, fever plant, king s cure-all, night willow herb, scabish, sundrop, tree primrose) yield evening primrose oil, which contains gamma-linolenic acid and has been used in various disorders, such as atopic eczema, premenstrual syndrome, and benign breast pain, but is probably not efficacious (1,2). 

Kerscher Ml, Korting HC. Treatment of atopic eczema with evening primrose oil rationale and clinical results. Clin Investig 1992 70 167-171. 

Bamford, J.T., R.W. Gibson, and C.M. Renier. 1985. Atopic eczema unresponsive to evening primrose oil (linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids). /. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 13(6) 959-965. 

Lovell, C.R., Burton, J.L., and Horrobin, D.F. (1981) Treatment of Atopic Eczema with Evening Primrose Oil, Lancet i, 278. 

Therapeutic use for atopic eczema initially produced modest, but significant, improvement (20-25% over controls) . More recent clinical trials, however, indicate that evening primrose may have a marked beneficial effect... 

Evening primrose oil used clinically in the United Kingdom for the treatment of atopic eczema, mastalgia, and premenstrual syndrome increasingly seen in cosmetic products, including hand lotions, soaps, shampoos, and so on. 

This isomer of a-1. is found in - borage, - black currants, ->evening primrose, and in oils from different fungal sources. L, is used in the treatment of atopic eczema. It serves as a substrate for the biosynthesis of - prostaglandins, hydroxy fatty acids and leukotrienes. It plays an important role in the prevention of heart diseases, e. g., arteriosclerosis. 

Moreover, symptoms of atopic eczema have been reported to be alleviated by y-linolenate-rich lipids such as the oil from evening primrose. These results are interpreted to indicate a deficiency of the A6-desaturase responsible for linoleate metabolism but they do not explain the beneficial effect of some other treatments. 

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