Evening Primrose Oil

[Chloe]

Has anyone had any experiences using Evening Primrose Oil directly on the skin? I heard you can break open the softgels and apply it topically... so I've tried that the last couple days. It seems to help the   itch some, but not as much as I expected (maybe I was expecting a miracle!)  

Just hoping to hear how others who have tried this method have fared... Also, are there any side effects w/using EPO topically? I can't seem to find any info on that. Thanks!  

- Monika

[Bri9801]

I think I remember hearing some people say that they have used primrose oil but I have no idea if that is different the EPO.  I remember them saying it helped their   but no info on   ??

I did find this info:

       HCRC FAQ Sheet
Evening Primrose oil

Evening primrose (evening primrose, evening star, Oenothera biennis L family onagraceae) produces seeds that are rich in oils containing a fatty acid called gamma linolinic acid (GLA). It also contains unknown anti-coagulant substances. The whole plant is edible and is often used in pickles, soups, and sautes. The seeds are pressed to extract the oils.

Evening Primrose oil is promoted for a wide variety of ailments including reduction of premenstrual and menopause syndrome symptoms, weight loss without dieting, hypertension, improved lipids, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and even hangover hangovers.

GLA can be converted to a hormone-like compound called prostoglandin E-1. Prostoglandin E-1 helps to increase blood flow, decrease blood clotting, and reduce inflammation. The claim is that GLA works by increasing the body's production of prostoglandin E-1 or by correcting a deficiency of GLA.

However, these claims have not been proven and the long-term safety of consuming large quantities of these oils has not been established.

If you try Evening Primrose Oil, don't take a large amount or take it for a long time. GLA from seeds or extract is not recommended for individuals with schizophrenia, as it may increase the risk of temporal lobe epilepsy.

If I find any more info I will pass it on.

[Chloe]

Thanks, especially if you find info on using it topically. I tried taking the softgels normally but it kind of upset my stomach so I stopped.  

[roni]

Me thinks another experiment on Nick

[Vix]

Me thinks another experiment on Nick

Ooh! Sounds interesting!

Let us know the results Roni!

Vix X

[Nick]

Uh oh !  

The things I do in the name of science  

[Casper]

Hello Monika

Evening primrose oil sounds quite nice. I wouldn't mind volunteering to give it a try on my E. I'm guessing that it can be bought from usual chemists?

[Monika]

Hello Monika

Evening primrose oil sounds quite nice. I wouldn't mind volunteering to give it a try on my E. I'm guessing that it can be bought from usual chemists?

I have to admit... I'm not sure what a chemist is? (I mean, I know what it is but I think you use it in a different way than me)  

Is chemist the same as our pharmacists?

Anyhow, I just buy Evening Primrose Oil softgels off the shelf in the vitamin aisle of the health food store... the kind that you would take orally, but I poke a little hole in the softgel with a needle and squeeze the oil out onto my skin. I read about doing that on an E mailing list.

So far I haven't really noticed a change when using the EPO, but I'm impatient when trying stuff like this. Besides the gluten-free diet (which is a more unique case), I've had the most luck with Aveeno lotion (the Skin Relief type w/collodial oatmeal), Aveeno collodial oatmeal bath powder, and wet wraps.

Funny how I can't EAT the oatmeal but using it on my skin is great. Gluten is so weird.

Monika  

[Nick]

Hi Mon

You are quite right about Chemist = Pharmacist

I'm really intrigued about the link with oatmeal though.
I have read before about oatmeal being used in baths and as poltices etc and there seems to be something to all this.
So you can apply it to your skin without any effect to your Gluten Free dietary needs ? Presumably then Gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin ..... hmmm, so I wonder what is absorbed that helps you ?

I can feel some research coming on.

[Monika]

So you can apply it to your skin without any effect to your Gluten Free dietary needs ? Presumably then Gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin ..... hmmm, so I wonder what is absorbed that helps you ?

I can feel some research coming on.

Nick,

Gluten/gliadin is protein found many grains, but only the gluten in wheat, rye, barley and oats are problematic for gluten intolerant people. I guess the body's reaction occurs when the food goes through the digestive tract and the food is broken down, and the gluten/protein released? Since the skin can't break down the oatmeal (or shampoo w/wheat germ or whatever), I guess that's why the gluten in it doesn't have any affect on the skin. Not sure how accurate I am, but just a theory...

I found this on a popular celiac webpage (www.clanthompson.com) - written by Dr. John Zone (he's a dermatitis herpiformis expert):

"There is always great concern about the possibility of topical gluten products causing problems. To start out with, gluten is not absorbed through the skin. There is little question about this. Topical gluten does not worsen dermatitis herpetiformis and it does not worsen celiac disease. If the topical product is eaten or licked as might be the case in lipstick, then the person is essentially eating that product and it would make sense that it would then be a problem. The same is true of toothpaste. I am well aware that many patients state that when they come in contact with gluten containing compounds that they cause problems. However, I do not know of any scientific basis for this and have a great deal of difficulty believing that this is activating celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis."

- Monika

[Rhm]

Last year my 1 year old was bothered by persistant E on his left cheek. A tiny hebalist shop told my mother that EPO is the best thing for infantile E.

I didn't have much faith in alternative remedies but I'm now a convert.

The E disappeared after only one application. As Chloe says you just buy the oral EPO capsules, brake it open and smooth it on the skin.  However the E did keep reappearing so I put it on for five days and it hasn't reappeared since.

A friend's child also had E on his face but the mother didn't bother even though he scratched it. One day he was at my house so I put the EPO on his face (yes very naughty). The E has gone for good.

Now I think of it I'm off to try it on my P!

[peterb]

Rhm

Hope it works for you, let us know, we'll all be trying it.

[Alison]

good luck rhm , i think il try the epo too 4 my girl