Evening Primrose Oil

Primrose Day on 19th April and Princess Haiku's recent comment made me think you might like me to repost my primrose entry. So here it is with a couple of beauty recipes added.

Evening primrose oil is a popular supplement derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. Known for hundreds of years as a medicinal plant, Native Americans used the bark and leaves for many disorders and it was also used for many medical disorders in England as far back as the 17th Century.

As the oil easily goes rancid once exposed to the air so it is therefore better to purchase it as organic, cold-pressed, evening primrose oil, veggie capsules. These are readily available in most health shops and some supermarkets.

Health-wise, the oil contains a high concentration of naturally occurring gamma linoleic acid (GLA) which is an Omega-6 fatty acid. GLA supports the body's cardiovascular, immune, nervous and reproductive systems. It also contains oleic acid and palmitic acid. Recent research has shown it's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are found useful in treating arthritis, menopausal problems, heart disease, eczema, itchy skin and sunburn. Is said to lower the risk of osteoporosis in women and relieves PMS and breast feeding breast pain, bloating and depression. Plus many men swear by it as a hangover cure.

Beauty-wise, evening primrose oil is excellent for the skin, hair and nails if taken both internally and externally. Puncture a capsule with a pin and use the oil rubbed into the nails or applied to the skin and scalp. It is very nourishing for normal to dry skin and reduces acne inflammation.

NOTE: Evening primrose oil is not recommended during pregnancy.

Eating the flowers, seeds, leaves, or roots of evening primrose provides the same health benefits as taking commercial oil. Therefore it is worthwhile growing it in the garden. The roots can be boiled and eaten like any other root vegetable. The flowers are excellent for decoration and taste in a salad and the leaves can be cooked the same as spinach and served as a vegetable. During WW2 the seeds were roasted and used as a coffee substitute but nowadays they are generally roasted and sprinkled on salad.

All in all a very useful plant.

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Homemade Eye Wrinkle Treatment/Formula
From Kitchen, Crafts and More

2 tbsp / 1 oz / 30 ml pure essential jojoba oil
1 capsule pure essential evening primrose oil
10 drops pure essential carrot seed oil

Pour jojoba oil into a small dark glass bottle. Pierce capsule of primrose oil and squeeze into the bottle. Add drops of carrot seed essential oil. Shake well. Place two drops under each eye and tap to spread. Don't get into eyes. It will keep for 6 months if stored in a dark, cool place.


Empress of Roses Face Oil
From Traci's Natural Beauty

2 oz. rosehip seed oil
1 tbsp / 1/2 oz / 15ml evening primrose oil
3 tbsp / 3 oz / 45ml cold pressed olive oil
5-10 drops each of helichrysum, rose otto, and neroli essential oil (optional)

Shake together in small squirt bottle, keep in fridge.


Night Gel
From Natural Beauty

For Oily skin
2 tsp evening primrose oil
2 tbsp aloe-vera gel
1 tsp witch hazel
4 drops lemon essential oil

For Acne
2 tsp evening primrose oil
2 tbsp aloe vera gel
1 tsp witch hazel
4 drops thyme essential oil
4 drops spike-lavender essential oil

Follow these directions to make both the oily skin and the night gels: Put all of the ingredients in a 2 oz / 30ml dark glass bottle; cap and shake to blend. If you are using aloe vera gel from a plant, you can refrigerate the night gel for up to 1 week, but then you must discard it. If the aloe-vera gel is store bought, the night gel will keep in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.

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