Coming from the oenothera family, the evening primrose is a very special flower not only due to its particular flowering pattern (the flowers only bloom in the evening, hence the name), but also for its curative attributes. It's used in different types of disorders like asthma, cough and even as a pain killer.

What is evening primrose oil? Though the plant is used in many ways, the most common form of use is as oil extracted from the mature seeds. Usually, after it's purified, the oil is placed inside a capsule, that can be swallowed. The oil contains fatty acids like linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid that belong to the omega-6 family and are very useful in the development and growth of the body.

Now that we established what evening primrose oil is let's see what are its uses and benefits:

- lowers the cholesterols levels from the body and decreases the risk of forming blood clots this meaning that the risk of having a heart attack is lowered

- helps in controlling the premenstrual syndrome and decreases not only the pain intensity but also the mood swings

- women can used to reduce breast pains, during PMS, menstruation and pregnancy or to decrease the symptoms and pains caused by the cystic breast condition

- it's usually used in allergies or eczemas, both on children and adults, because it has been scientifically proven that it helps in diminishing the redness of the skin and in easing the itching sensation

- some clinical trials have discovered that the oil is also useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions involving inflammations

- other conditions that the evening primrose oil might be helpful are: breast cancer, Raynaud's disease, pre-eclampsia and ADHD

Though it seems to have many uses and could bring some benefits, not all scientists agree on this matter. Apparently, even though it might help some people, the results can't be extended to the whole population because the results of the trials and tests were mixed and the

studies weren't very well designed. Some of the new trials that have a better design have shown that the primrose oil is not helpful in treating the pre-menstrual syndrome or other women related problems.