The Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) has yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. The oil made from this plant contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids are required by the body for growth and development, and must be obtained from the diet.
Specifications:
Items
|
Index
|
Test Results
|
Transparency
|
clear
|
pass
|
Color
|
light yellow to yellow
|
pass
|
Odor, flavor
|
Normal
|
pass
|
Relative density mg/ml
|
0.9212-0.9301
|
pass
|
Refractive index
|
1.4742-1.4796
|
pass
|
Acidic value
|
max 1.0
|
0.46
|
Saponification value mg KOH/g
|
180-200
|
191
|
Unsaponifiable matter
|
0.15-0.2
|
0.17
|
Heavy metals
|
10 ppm
|
pass
|
Linoleic Acid (%)
|
min 70
|
72.6
|
y-Linolenic acid (%)
|
min 10
|
10.23
|
a-Linolenic acid (%)
|
0.31
|
pass
|
Other fatty acids (%)
|
0.84
|
pass
|
Latin Name-Oenothera biennis
What it is used for:
Evening primrose oil has been used since the 1930s for eczema (a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, itchy, or scaly because of allergies or other irritation).
• More recently it has been used for other conditions involving inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Evening primrose oil is used for conditions affecting women's health, such as breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle, menopausal symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome.
• Other conditions for which evening primrose oil is used include cancer and diabetes.
Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose. The oil is usually put into capsules for use.
Tags: Evening Primrose Oil