Evening Primrose Botanical: Primula vulgaris (HUDS.) Family: N.O. Primulaceae
Without becoming too technical, the common Evening Primrose plant contains a large amount of a
fatty
Acid called GLA, and this
fatty
Acid is largely responsible for the remarkable healing properties of the plant. In fact, Evening Primrose contains one of the highest amounts known of this important substance and only a few other plants contain it at all. This makes Evening Primrose an important medicinal herb, and as studies continue, the list of benefits will likely become much longer.
If you are troubled by the symptoms associated with
PMS, you may finally find some relief with Evening Primrose. Tests have shown that it reduces or eliminates many problems associated with
PMS, including irritability,
Depression,
Bloating, and breast
Pain, and that taken regularly it may actually help regulate
Menstrual periods. It is recommended that women who have
PMS take up to 3000 mg of Evening Primrose Oil all month for relief of symptoms. In Europe, Evening Primrose Oil is already established as an excellent remedy for
PMS.
Other problems for which Evening Primrose Oil can be taken internally include
Asthma,
Allergies,
Cholesterol regulation, arteriosclerosis, chronic
Headaches,
Prostate health, nflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid
Arthritis,
Multiple Sclerosis,
Lupus, and scleroderma, complications arising from
Diabetes and poor
Circulation, cirrhosis of the
Liver, and drunk as a tea as a metabolic way to fight obesity.
Externally, the leaves, stems, and roots can be boiled in water for a tea that is very nourishing for the
Skin and is effective for use in treatment of
Acne,
Dry Skin,
Rashes, itchiness, and for overall
Skin health in general.
Eating the flowers, seeds, leaves, or roots of Evening Primrose provides the same health benefits as taking commercial oil preparations, and as such, if you have Evening Primrose in the garden, you should definitely come up with creative ways to serve it at mealtime!
In general, Evening Primrose is quite safe to take with few reports of any side-effects, though people with a history of epilepsy should use caution.
---Parts Used Medicinally and Preparation for Market---The whole herb, used fresh, and in bloom, and the root-stock (the so-called root) dried.
The roots of two- or three-year-old plants are used, dug in autumn. The roots must be thoroughly cleansed in cold water, with a brush, allowing them to remain in water as short a time as possible. All smaller fibers are trimmed off. Large roots may be split lengthwise to facilitate drying, but as a rule this will not be necessary with Primrose roots.
Constituents---Both the root and flowers of the Primrose contain a fragrant oil and Primulin, which is identical with Mannite, whilst the somewhat acrid active principle is Saponin.
---Medicinal Action and Uses---
Antispasmodic,
Vermifuge, emetic,
Astringent.
In the early days of medicine, the Primrosewas considered an important remedy in
Muscular Rheumatism, paralysis and
Gout. Pliny speaks of it as almost a panacea for these complaints.
The whole plant is
Sedative and in modern days a tincture of the fresh plant in bloom, in a strength of 10 OZ. to 1 pint of alcohol, in doses of 1 to 10 drops has been used with success in America in extreme
Sensitiveness, restlessness and
Insomnia. The whole plant has somewhat
Expectorant qualities.
An infusion of the flowers was formerly considered excellent against
Nervous Hysterical disorders. 'Primrose Tea,' says Gerard, 'drunk in the month of May is famous for curing the phrensie.' The infusion may be made of 5 to 10 parts of the petals to 100 of water.
In modern herbal medicine the infusion of the root is generally taken in tablespoonful doses as a good remedy against
Nervous Headaches. A teaspoonful of the powdered dry root serves as an emetic.
'Of the leaves of Primrose,' Culpepper tells us, 'is made as fine a salve to heal
Wound as any I know.'
The leaves are said to be eagerly eaten by the common silkworm.
In ancient cookery the flowers were the chief ingredient in a pottage called 'Primrose Pottage.' Another old dish had rice, almonds, honey, saffron, and ground Primrose flowers. (From A Plain Plantain.)
The Primrose family is remarkable for the number of hybrids it produces. The garden 'Polyanthus of unnumbered dyes,' as the poet Thomson calls it in 'The Seasons,' is only another form (probably of the Cowslip or Oxlip) produced by cultivation. The Oxlip is distinguished from the Primrose by its flowers being stalked umbels and of a deeper shade of yellow and by its leaves becoming suddenly broader above the middle. It varies from the Cowslip by its tubular, not bell-shaped calyx and flat, not concave corolla.