Many people today are looking for natural ways to cure what ails them. There are cures that can be found in nature for many things; you can find relief from headaches, nausea, food poisoning, premenstrual syndrome symptoms, and many others. Evening primrose oil is one of those cures provided by Mother Nature herself.

Nutrient Content and Benefits of Supplement

Evening primrose oil or Oenothera biennis is an oil taken from primrose seeds. This oil contains amino acids, calcium, essential fatty acids, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin E and zinc. Primrose oil contains nine to ten percent gamma-linolenic acid. This acid prevents the hardening of the arteries, heart disease, premenstrual symptoms, multiple sclerosis, and high blood pressure. This supplement also helps to relieve pain and inflammation. Primrose oil also aids in lowering cholesterol.

Evening Primrose Oil and Hormones

Primrose oil helps with the release of hormones, including the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. Due to the release of estrogen primrose oil is very helpful in dealing with symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and mood issues. However primrose oil should not be taken by women who are suffering from breast cancer. The increase in estrogen levels could, if you have been diagnosed with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer, feed the tumor.

Primrose Oil and Alcoholism

If you are suffering from alcoholism primrose oil can help. Primrose oil has been shown effective in the treatment of this condition. The oil supplement has also been shown beneficial for cirrhosis of the liver.

Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms and Evening Primrose Oil

Taking evening primrose oil can help alleviate many of the nagging symptoms of PMS. The severity of cramping and heavy bleeding can be drastically diminished by taking evening primrose supplements. In addition if you have lumps in your breast tissue, that are not cancerous, evening primrose oil can help to shrink these cyst type tissues and lessen some of the pain associated with the lumps.

How much should I take?

Evening primrose oil can be taken in 1000 mg doses 3 times a day for premenstrual symptoms. You can take it in 500 mg doses three to four times a day for headaches, and as directed on the label for many other health issues.