Beneficial Evening Primrose Oil

Bienfaisante huile d'Onagre

In an article published in the very serious journal "Phytotherapy" (Springer Verlag), three scientific authors brought together the results of studies relating to evening primrose, a plant traditionally used in the form of vegetable oil in aromatherapy. It is very interesting to see how evening primrose is a plant with multiple virtues, verified in clinical studies. In its oily form, evening primrose would have a lot to offer to mature skin, menopausal women, diabetics and people wishing to control their cholesterol levels... What is it really?

A traditional plant

Evening primrose (oenothera biennis) is a biennial plant native to North America but cultivated today in Europe, the Middle East and America. In botany, it belongs to the kingdom of vascular seed plants, in the division Magnoliophyta. The evening primrose has the sweet name "Evening Primrose" in English because its pale yellow flowers open only in the evening and for a short time. The flowers and fruits of this plant contain numerous small seeds which contain around 20% vegetable oil rich in complex fatty acids. In the 16th century, Native Americans were already grinding these seeds to rub their bodies with them to soothe irritated skin and "heal the heart"...

A Precious Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil from evening primrose seeds contains essential fatty acids (which the human body cannot synthesize). It is particularly rich in gamma-linolenic acid, an omega 6 which has a protective effect for skin cells. This particular fatty acid is also found in borage oil. Evening primrose also contains palmitic acid, a little unsaponifiable matter and esters of triterpene acids as well as polyphenols (it is above all reputed to be a good anti-oxidant thanks to these compounds). It is its composition which seems to give evening primrose oil its remarkable properties, notably moisturizing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Multiple indications

Numerous studies on evening primrose have highlighted its interest in the prevention or treatment of several specific conditions. Without making any shortcuts, it is obvious that taking evening primrose oil orally or through the skin is beneficial in many cases...

- Psoriasis and eczema : evening primrose oil seems to be able to regenerate the suppleness and elasticity of suffering skin while calming inflammation. It can be applied every day to the skin with a gentle massage.

- Menopause, Menstrual disorders and premenstrual syndrome : Taken orally, evening primrose oil seems indicated to regulate the production of estrogens, progesterone and prolactin. The symptoms of difficult or irregular periods seem to be greatly reduced in a majority of cases, even if total effectiveness has not been demonstrated. Many pre-menopausal women also testify to its effectiveness on hot flashes.

- Cholesterol: Evening primrose oil was able to significantly lower LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients.

- Diabetic neuropathy: Diabetic neuropathy, atherosclerosis and retinopathy were treated preventively in diabetic rats using evening primrose oil orally. The link with human subjects has not been established but the results are encouraging.

- Vascular prevention: Does evening primrose oil dilate the arteries? In any case, we can note that it reduces platelet aggregation in animals, as well as platelet adhesiveness in insulin-dependent diabetic patients after two months of oral treatment. We obviously think about the prevention of cardiovascular accidents...

After reading all this, we can only rejoice to know that this oil is available to most of us and does not include any contraindications. In the event of a proven pathology, you must nevertheless consult and discuss it with your doctor. Evening primrose will often be a complement and not a treatment.

How to use Evening Primrose?

Evening primrose vegetable oil should be stored away from air, light and heat. It can oxidize quite quickly in fact. This is why it is preferable for the oral route to use capsules.

Evening primrose capsules are an ideal food supplement.

For skin use, you can, for example, massage the face and body of mature skin subject to oxidation with 10 drops of evening primrose oil and 1 drop of petit grain bigarade essential oil for a tonic, moisturizing effect. and plumping. Also very recommended for smokers or diabetics whose skin dries out. Pranarôm offers certified organic evening primrose oil in a 50 ml or 100 ml bottle (on order). For oral use, there are 2 capsules per day to be taken before meals (morning and evening for example). Pranarôm offers a box of 40 evening primrose capsules. They can be taken as a treatment or over a longer period.

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Chlorella: a food supplement worthy of the name!

Pranarôm is a Laboratory specializing in Essential Oils, but also adheres to the global values ​​of natural health. Pranarôm therefore does not neglect the contribution of micro-algae. Indeed, our laboratory has always offered Chlorella and Spirulina tablets of impeccable quality. But what is Chlorella? Chlorella is a green algae that grows in fresh water. Its name comes from the Greek, “chloros” meaning green and “ella” meaning small. Its composition is very rich in essential nutrients: 1 tablet contains 69% protein! Here are some interesting points from the nutritional analysis (in RDA for 3 tablets): Vit 12: 195% Vit D: 56%! Vit A: 34% Vit K1: 23.7% Vit M (folic acid): 24.8% Iron 13%!!! Vit B2: 7.5% (Vit B1, B 3, B5, B6, C, E, calcium, copper, phosphorus, chromium, copper, potassium, zinc, chlorophyll: less than 3%) Iodine: 0% What is the point of Chlorella? This micro algae has a high nutritional value and is recommended to an impressive number of people. It is very well tolerated and even recommended for pregnant women and children! It has one main property that I find particularly interesting: it chelates heavy metals. Rather relevant in our polluted lives and in these times of crisis! Chlorella helps the body to release heavy metals that it accumulates in particular through food (e.g. mercury in fish, etc.). What about its properties? First of all, advice to athletes and students who eat an unbalanced diet: it is a very good source of proteins, vitamins and minerals! Nutrient intake: Chlorella contains 19 amino acids, all the major vitamins, all the classic minerals and enough beta-carotene and xanthophylls to make it a powerful antioxidant. It is the plant richest in chlorophyll (four times more than Spirulina, spinach and nettles). Good to know if you are vegetarian, it contains 60% vegetable protein, a good dose of vitamin B12, which vegetarians look for, and a high concentration of alpha linolenic acid, a short chain omega-3 fatty acid. Vitamin and mineral intake : In a dose of 3 grams there is as much vitamin C as in an orange, the recommended daily intake of lutein, a pigment that protects the eyes against the formation of cataracts, a good intake of iron, very bioavailable thanks to the natural presence of vitamin C and chlorophyll, which help its assimilation. Finally, lots of phosphorus, an essential mineral for calcium fixation. Benefits on the blood system and cholesterol: Chlorella tends to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol. In an American study published in 2002, doctors gave chlorella to patients with low hypertension. Without medication, 25% of participants maintained correct blood pressure during the medication-free study. (Nutritional supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for mild to moderate hypertension, Merchant, RE, André, CA, Sica, DA. J. Med Food. 2002 Fall;5(3):141-52) . Of course, this does not mean that you should stop your treatment without talking to a doctor. Benefits on the immune system : In 1966, in a study carried out on 1000 sailors, the consumption of 2 grams of chlorella per day reduced flus and colds by 37%. ( Effect of Chlorella on rate of catching cold of the 1966 training crew fleet. Japan Medical Science Meeting, Japan 1966). In a Bulgarian study on bovine bronchopneumonia, 72% of animals that ate chlorella escaped the disease, while only 56 and 60% respectively were protected by two veterinary vaccines (Use of non-specific agents …in bronchopneumonia prevention, Terziev, Planski. Vet Med Nauki 1983;20(1):36. Japanese researchers claim that this algae could reduce body fat percentage, blood sugar levels and help people with type 2 diabetes , obesity, cancer, or heart conditions. Some go so far as to say that supplementing with chlorella could boost energy and improve mood. Randall Merchant, professor of neurosurgery and anatomy at Virginia Commonwealth University, USA, does research on brain tumors, traumatic aftereffects of the brain, and heart attacks. It emerged from its clinical studies, among other things, that chlorella supplementation showed a significant reduction in blood cholesterol levels . It is suggested that this could significantly reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients in 50% of cases. In 2008 the same Professor Merchant studied the effects of chlorella on patients with metabolic syndrome, a collection of symptoms that causes the body's cells to become less sensitive to insulin , and therefore a precursor to diabetes. The conclusion was that chlorella supplementation could be beneficial in preventing cellular desensitization to insulin. Or, very commonly, one could imagine that it could slow down or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Finally, the publication: "Antioxidant and anti-cataract effects of Chlorella on rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2003" concludes that chlorella has anti-oxidant activity and could be beneficial for prevention complications in diabetics such as the appearance of cataracts. In this publication they also demonstrated that in mice supplementation with chlorella reduces the level of glycated hemoglobin and blood cholesterol. Chlorella is therefore a food that makes you think and which is promising! Let's talk about it with our health professionals and above all use it wisely for a more balanced life.

Bois de Hô essential oil, a very invigorating ally

Ho Wood essential oil is often presented as the ideal alternative to Rosewood... Like the latter, Ho Wood essential oil contains more than 90% linalool, which makes it a tonic and skin astringent oil. and stimulating for natural defenses... But who is she really?