BMJ 1994;309:824-825 (1 October)

Editorials

Evening primrose oil

Oil extracted from seeds of the evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) contains linoleic acid, (gamma) linolenic acid, and vitamin E. (gamma) Linolenic acid is a precursor of prostaglandin E and several other active substances and is said to be the constituent of the oil responsible for its therapeutic effects. Disorders for which evening primrose oil has been tested in controlled clinical trials include atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, various cancers, Raynaud's phenomenon, ulcerative colitis, pre-eclampsia, the pre-menstrual syndrome, menopausal flushing, breast cysts, mastalgia, Sjogren's syndrome, schizophrenia, and hyperactivity.1 What are the results of these clinical trials?

Many of the studies have been crossover trials, which is a pity for two reasons. Firstly, crossover trials are really suitable only for assessing drugs whose effects fade rapidly after treatment has been stopped. Any ersistent effects will disappear provided there is a "washout" period before the crossover. Secondly, if the explanation . . . [Full text of this article]


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Relevant Article

Evening primrose oil
John Berth-Jones and Robin A C Graham-Brown
BMJ 1994 309: 1437. [Extract] [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Wong, A. H. C., Smith, M., Boon, H. S. (1998). Herbal Remedies in Psychiatric Practice. Arch Gen Psychiatry 55: 1033-1044 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Berth-Jones, J., Graham-Brown, R. A C (1994). Evening primrose oil. BMJ 309: 1437a-1437 [Full text]  
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