The evening primrose oil used by New Roots Herbal is certified organic and cold-pressed to provide 10% fatty acid. gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid for women.
Evening primrose is native to North America. Originally used to treat asthma, stomach and digestive disorders, and bruises, there is now renewed interest in this herb because of its oil. Approximately 70% of this oil is composed of fatty acid. cis-linoleic acid, and up to 9% of cis-gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). The oil also contains campestrol and beta-sitosterol. The acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid that the body converts into the hormone-like substance prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁). PGE₁ has anti-inflammatory properties and can also act as an anticoagulant and vasodilator. Evening primrose oil's anti-inflammatory properties have been the subject of double-blind studies carried out on rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Some, but not all, of these studies reported significant benefits from evening primrose oil supplementation. GLA, the main active ingredient in evening primrose oil, has been shown to have anticancer activity in in vitro experiments. Evening primrose oil has been used to treat symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome - irritability, headaches, breast tenderness and bloating. It has also been useful in the treatment of exema. Some say increased doses relieve rheumatoid arthritis and slow the progression of multiple sclerosis.
