What health benefits do you get from Evening Primrose Oil?

by merry1 in a Texican COAT on September 19th, 2009

Available scientific evidence does not support claims that evening primrose oil has any effect on cancer. Most research has been conducted in laboratory settings or involved small numbers of patients. One laboratory study concluded that evening primrose oil might help slow the growth of breast cancer cells. Other laboratory studies have found that evening primrose oil slowed the growth of skin cancer cells, and a diet enriched with evening primrose oil was thought to enhance the body's ability to fight tumors. However, further studies are needed to learn whether the results apply to humans.

Research into the use of evening primrose oil for other conditions has been mixed. Some research evidence suggests that it may help symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis over the long term, although more information is needed. Studies that tested evening primrose oil taken by mouth for the skin conditions atopic dermatitis and eczema showed conflicting results. Results of studies of evening primrose oil for treating premenstrual syndrome, menopause symptoms, breast pain, and psoriasis have been either mixed or not favorable. Most research has been conducted in laboratory settings or involved small numbers of patients. In late 2002, the U.K. withdrew the prescription forms of fatty acid that were made from evening primrose due to lack of evidence of its effectiveness. A recent review concluded that evening primrose is not effective as a treatment for menopausal symptoms. Large-scale clinical trials involving humans are needed to find out the value of evening primrose in treating any illness.

SOURCE: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Evening_Primrose.asp?sitearea=ETO