Evening Primrose – high in GLA, extremely beneficial
Evening Primrose, Oenothera biennis (sometimes labeled Onagra biennis), is not related to the Common or Wild Primrose, despite the name. It’s biennial, so to ensure a continuous supply, you need to sow or plant it 2 years in a row, after which it will self-seed if it is happy. Don’t try to grow it in the shade or on heavy soil, but poor soil is fine.
Once grown mainly as a root vegetable or a decorative “wild” plant, Evening primrose came to prominence as a source of Gamma linolenic acid (an Omega 6 oil) in the 1980s, and oil of evening primrose (extracted from the seeds) is sold in capsules for the treatment of PMT, MS and hyperactivity in children, although the plant is useful for many other purposes.
Make a standard infusion from the leaves and bark, 2-3 teaspoonfuls of fresh or 1-2 teaspoonfuls of dried, to a cup of boiling water. Allow to stand for at least 10 minutes, strain and sip slowly to treat gastro-intestinal disorders and asthma. Evening primrose seeds, or the oil extracted from them, is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, liver damage caused by alcohol abuse, and to reduce both cholesterol levels and blood pressure. An infusion made from crushed roots (using the same quantities and method given above) is used as a treatment for bowel pain. The crushed roots can be made into a poultice to treat piles and bruises.
As with all herbs grown for use as remedies, organic growing methods are important to avoid harmful chemicals being absorbed along with the remedy. To find out more about growing organic evening primrose, visit the Gardenzone.
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