Evening primrose oil, or evening primrose, is one of the basic western oils that have been used in our country relatively recently. Initially, this drug was used as a material for aromatherapy. Today it remains exotic, and not everyone knows about its properties. However, evening primrose oil has been used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes for more than one millennium. The first mention of this tool was found in the records of the American Indians.
A little bit about the plant
Evening primrose oil, the price of which is 750-850 rubles, is made from primrose seeds. This is a pretty biennial plant that opens its buds only after dark. More than two thousand years ago, North American Indian tribes appreciated the properties of primrose. It is worth noting that evening primrose was one of the main medicines for shamans. This plant has a fleshy rhizome, jagged oblong leaves, and tubular flowers of a greenish tint, which have several yellow petals in the corolla. Like night violet, the flower opens only late in the evening. However, the period of its fragrance is small - no more than a day.
Useful properties of primrose, famous stories
This amazing plant grows not only in America, but also in Australia, Europe and Asia. Primrose seeds, originally ground into a paste, were used to treat all kinds of injuries and wounds, and also as a remedy for female diseases and asthma.
Evening primrose oil was valued not only by Indians. It was actively used by the Mayan and Inca tribes . In addition, the Peruvian Indians called this plant "drinking blood." They used it as a medicine for wounds, for headaches and digestive problems, for menstrual irregularities, for colic, and also to stop internal bleeding. The Chinatecs used primrose to combat skin diseases and infertility, and the Mexican Pimo tribe used to treat colds and fever.
When a trend such as aromatherapy arose, evening primrose oil began to be studied in more detail. The full quality of this product was evaluated only in the 70s of the 20th century. During this period, the main feature of the product was revealed - the ability to enhance the therapeutic effect of other essential oils. It is worth noting that primrose is not a night violet. Evening primrose flower differs not only in appearance, but also in its properties.
Composition of Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is made from seeds harvested in fruits. They get the product in a simple way of cold pressing. At the same time, a rather large oil yield is noted: approximately 20–30%. The hardest part is getting the seeds. Therefore, primrose oil is a rare and valuable product.
What is the composition of evening primrose? A flower, or rather its seeds, contains to a lesser or greater extent all of the main minerals and vitamins. However, the most important is the fatty acid composition of the oil. The product contains up to 80% linoleic acid, the action of which is enhanced by alpha and gamma-linoleic components. But these are not all the features of primrose oil. The composition of this product includes rare eicosenic acid, as well as palmitic, stearic and oleic.
As for the combination of all these components, it is simply unique. Of course, this does not concern their concentration, but the mutually reinforcing ratio. It is it that performs the role of a kind of stimulator of biological processes. Evening primrose oil, reviews of which are mostly positive, stands out among the rest in that it is the only plant composition that in its characteristics resembles fish oil.
The main differences of oil
Evening primrose oil has a pale yellow, luminous, iridescent, golden hue. As for the aroma, it is very light, barely perceptible. It is dominated by notes of nuts. It also has a slight aroma of fish oil. As for the taste, evening primrose oil has a not very pleasant taste. But at the same time, he does not repel. The taste of this product is somewhat reminiscent of pollen of various colors.
Application methods
It is worth noting that evening primrose oil is rarely used in concentrated form. Typically, this product is used for serious skin lesions. In this case, the product is always mixed with other oils that have the necessary properties, in a ratio of 1:10.
The drug does not leave any marks on the skin. However, it depends on which oil the product was mixed with. After all, its composition is about 90%. The properties provided by such a tool also depend on the base oil. The choice of the main component depends on which disease needs to be cured. In mixtures, primrose oil usually plays the role of an additive that activates the properties of the base substance. This feature of the drug made it popular in the treatment of chronic, chronic and serious ailments of the skin.
Skin Benefits
Recently, in pharmacies, not only bottles with a liquid product have been sold, but also evening primrose oil capsules. And this is no accident. After all, the beneficial properties of this product have been proven for a long time. In its pure form, primrose oil can relieve irritation. Especially the effect of the product is noticeable on dry and flaky skin. It is worth noting that the product produces a softening effect.
Evening primrose oil gives the skin a healthier appearance and beauty. She just shines from the inside. In this case, the product is able to protect the epidermis from premature aging and other changes. Primrose oil has a cleansing, whitening, moisturizing and regenerating effect. All these product qualities are manifested in mixtures with basic components.
Effect on the genitourinary system
Evening primrose oil, the use of which has been widely used not so long ago, has many healing properties. Most of them are manifested in the internal use of the product. In the West, this product is very popular. However, in our country, capsules with this oil have begun to be sold relatively recently. The most valuable quality of the composition is the ability to normalize and regulate the processes occurring in the genitourinary system.
Evening primrose oil is very useful for women. After all, the drug allows not only to get rid of the premenstrual syndrome, but also softens the menopause. The drug allows you to normalize the functioning of the organs of the genitourinary system with various disorders, including cystic fibrosis, endometriosis and with deviations of the menstrual cycle. In addition, evening primrose oil eliminates dishormonal disorders, regulates the ratio and level of sex hormones, and restores their optimal production.
Other medicinal properties of the product
Evening primrose oil is often used to normalize blood pressure. It perfectly lowers an overestimated rate. It is worth noting that the product is also used as a therapeutic and prophylactic drug for atherosclerosis, angina pectoris and multiple sclerosis. Evening primrose oil is able to eliminate discomfort in the heart, pain syndromes, thrombophlebitis and the consequences of a stroke. The composition is also useful for diabetes, arthritis, eczema and allergies.
In addition, the drug is often used to normalize the state of the nervous system, as well as the production of hormones. Evening primrose oil capsules are recommended for various mental disorders, as well as for nervous disorders.
The properties of the composition are simply unique. Evening primrose oil can be used as a restorative drug in case of impaired vision, in the presence of inflammatory processes after any disease, for wound healing, for restoration of the epithelium after surgery, as well as as a result of weight fluctuations. The drug retains the tone of the skin.
Evening primrose in cosmetology
Primrose oil is also used in cosmetology. This substance can not only improve the condition of the skin, but also affect varicose veins. The drug allows you to restore and then maintain skin tone. In addition, the drug has a cleansing effect. It allows you to achieve a smooth texture, as well as get rid of age spots.
Evening primrose oil is the best massage tool. After all, it is able to enhance the effect of other drugs. This tool allows you to increase the therapeutic effect and achieve deeper relaxation. In addition, primrose oil is a good nutritional supplement and has a good effect on the condition of the hair. They become more radiant, strong and healthy. It is worth noting that such an additive can improve not only the appearance of the hair, but also restore it from the inside. In combination with other oils, evening primrose can solve many problems associated with curls, from dandruff to loss. Also, the drug can be used to care for cuticles.
Who should not use evening primrose oil
Evening primrose, the properties of which are unique, like any medicinal plant, has certain contraindications. Of course, there are practically no restrictions on the use of evening primrose seed oil. An exception in this case is psoriasis. His therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, as well as in a limited period of exposure.
Do not forget that evening primrose oil affects the genital area. It normalizes the production of hormones and restores certain processes. For this reason, experts do not recommend using this drug during pregnancy. An exception is the approval of the attending physician. And this happens extremely rarely.