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Fatty acid

Evening primrose oil

Evening primrose oil is pressed from the seeds of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis). It contains omega-6 fats, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

Also listed as Evening Primrose, Evening Primrose Extract, Evening Primrose Powder

Hair & SkinWomen's HormonesStress & MoodCardiovascularMen's Hormones

Does it help eczema?

Cochrane found that oral evening primrose oil did not improve eczema more than placebo. This is a finding about treating eczema, not simply about whether the oil contains biologically active fats. 1

Skin InflammationNot supported

For eczema specifically, the trials do not show a clinically useful benefit from oral evening primrose oil. 1

What about PMS and menopause?

NCCIH finds insufficient evidence for premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms. Breast pain is better studied, but evening primrose oil is probably no more effective than placebo for that problem. 2

Menstruation SupportToo little evidence

PMS symptom relief remains uncertain; this is not an established treatment. 2

Can it improve cholesterol?

A 2020 review pooled six randomized trials. Overall, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides did not improve significantly. Selected subgroup findings, including lower triglycerides at doses up to 4 g daily, are less persuasive than a consistent overall effect. 3

Cholesterol balanceMixed

Some subgroup results favored the oil, but the pooled lipid results were null. This does not establish prevention of cardiovascular events. 3

Can it help skin during acne treatment?

A small randomized trial followed 50 people taking isotretinoin for acne for nine months. Skin hydration improved with added evening primrose oil, while there were no between-group differences in water loss through the skin or oiliness. This is a promising finding in a specific treatment setting, not evidence for treating eczema or improving everyone’s skin. 4

Skin HydrationMixed

A small trial suggests better hydration during isotretinoin treatment; confirmation in larger studies would help establish who benefits. 4

Effects by health goal

Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.

Men's Hormones1 effect

Testosterone BalanceMen's HormonesNo effectFNo linked study

No study is linked to this rating.

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

Other effects1 effect

InflammationSmallC2 studies
Anti-inflammatory effect of combining fish oil and evening primrose oil supplementation on breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial2023Effect of evening primrose oil supplementation on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials2020

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

All studies

11 publications are linked to Evening primrose oil, newest first.

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL AS A DIETARY THERAPY AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF A WOMANS REPRODUCTIVE AGE2024Comparison of the Effect of Fennel and Evening Primrose Oil on Menopausal Problems and Hormonal Levels: A Randomized Controlled Trial2023Anti-inflammatory effect of combining fish oil and evening primrose oil supplementation on breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial2023Effect of Evening Primrose Oil Supplementation on Selected Parameters of Skin Condition in a Group of Patients Treated with Isotretinoin—A Randomized Double-Blind Trial2022Effect of evening primrose oil on the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Literature review2022Effect of Evening Primrose Oil on Postmenopausal Psychological Symptoms: A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial2021Effect of evening primrose oil supplementation on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials2020Impact of evening primrose oil consumption on psychological symptoms of postmenopausal women: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial.2019Reduction of 5-azacitidine induced skin reactions in MDS patients with evening primrose oil2010Evening primrose oil and treatment of premenstrual syndrome1990The effect of Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose) oil on inflammatory diseases: a systematic review of clinical trials

Sources