Premenstrual syndrome Evening primrose

Evening primrose contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that supports the production of prostaglandins and thus helps maintain hormonal balance. It is approved in Britain to treat premenstrual syndrome. Native American women chewed evening primrose seeds to alleviate premenstrual and menstrual discomfort (see Chapter 59). 

Ockerman, PA., Backrack, I., Gians, S. and Rassner, S. (1986) Evening primrose oil as a treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Recent Adv. Clin. Nutr., 2, 404-405. 

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). 

Budeiri D, Li Wan Po A, Dornan JC. Is evening primrose oil of value in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome Control Clin Trials 1996 17(l) 60-8. 

Khoo SK, Munro C, Battistutta D. Evening primrose oil and treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Med J 1990 153 189-192. 

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. 

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