Both the root, the bark of the stalk, flowers, leaves, and seeds can be used. The roots are cultivated as vegetables and the seeds contain quite a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids with the coveted gamma linoleic acid (GLA) that contains the amino acid tryptophan which is a precursor of prostaglandin E1.
1 g. of evening primrose 4 times daily reduces pain and increases the pain threshold on account of its content of tryptophan.
The oil is used externally for dry skin, eczema, and other itching and flaky skin problems plus chest pain (angina). Furthermore, it lowers the blood pressure, reduces the amount of harmful cholesterol, and prevents blood clotting.
The oil is used to increase weight loss when suffering from autoimmune diseases, against dryness of the mouth, tension and bleedings, e.g. menstruational problems like PMS and endometriosis plus cardiovascular diseases, inflammation of the joints, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.
An African survey has shown that HIV positive persons who were given a supplement of GLA and other omega 6 fatty acids doubled their lifetime.
The other parts of the plant have soothing and constrictive effects and are used in cases of asthma, whooping cough, digestive- and skin problems, and for rheumatic sufferings.
Please note!
The oil should not be taken if you have a tendency towards epilepsy.
