Jarrow Formulas Evening Primrose is a cold-pressed, solvent free oil from evening primrose seeds (Oenothera biennis), a superior source of Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA). GLA is an important omega-6 fatty acid needed for the production of beneficial prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds), which play an important role in promoting healthy skin and immune function.
Evening primrose oil provides nutritional support during mild discomforts associated with PMS.

effects of GLA
• promotes healthy skin
• improved hormonal balance between testosterone and estrogen
• promotes healthy immunity
• promotes abdominal fat loss in both men and women
• support during mild PMS discomfort

qualities
• high concentration of gamma-linollenic acid
• no undesirable phyto-estrogens

background reading

Evening Primrose is actually a member of the willow family and not a true primrose. It was brought to England early in the 17th Century from North America where it was used by Indian tribes for various maladies.
Usually the whole plant would be employed by native healers. European herbalists enlarged upon the therapeutic uses of the plant, which in England was known as the King’s Cure All.

In European traditional usage, the oil was prescribed for gastrointestinal complaints, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), asthma, coughs, skin ailments and for wound healing in general. Detailed biochemical research began only in the 20th Century with German medical chemists.
Aside from certain astringent and relaxing properties found in the whole herb, the primary importance of the Evening Primrose comes from the presence of 9-10% gammalinolenic acid in the oil extracted from the seeds.

Mechanisms of action
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is a fatty acid nutrient. It is the result of desaturating linoleic acid, one of the two essential fatty acids (EFA’s).
GLA technically is called an Omega-6 fatty acid. It serves as a precursor to a family of hormone-like substances or “activated fatty acids” known as prostaglandins (PG), in particular the series called PGE-1, meaning the prostaglandin family “E” derived from GLA.
The PGE-1 family is involved in many of the body’s normal physiologic responses, e.g., healthy inflammatory responses, responses to spasms and infections, control of blood “stickiness,” and so forth. The linoleic acid is denoted as 18:2:6 and the GLA as 18:3:6.

A second family of prostaglandins is made from linoleic acid through an intermediate step creating arachidonic acid and also directly from the arachidonic acid readily found in the American diet.
This PGE-2 series activates the immune and other systems, but in excess leads to inflammation, menstrual cramps, disharmony of cardiovascular functions, and many other conditions, including in some cases obesity.
Among its other duties, the PGE-1 family serves to control or to turn off the PGE-2 family. Many factors can prevent the conversion of linoleic acid to GLA and from there to PGE-1. These factors include deficiencies of the vitamins B-3, B-6, C, and biotin and the minerals magnesium and zinc.
Too much alcohol, too much saturated fat, the consumption of hydrogenated and heat-damaged fats and many other dietary factors are involved. Moreover, many people, especially those who tend to put on weight, have difficulty in transforming linoleic acid into GLA simply because they naturally produce relatively little of the enzyme, delta 6-desaturase, which is needed for this transformation.

Safety, adverse reactions and interactions
Evening Primrose oil is generally considered to be safe and well tolerated. Very sensitive individuals may experience mild gastrointestinal tract symptoms. There is insufficient evidence to warrant use during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Large and chronic consumption may lead to freer bleeding and therefore should not be followed by individuals taking blood thinners or planning on surgery. Individuals taking medications should consult their health care practitioner before using this product.