Evidence supporting the use of: Evening primrose oil
For the body system: Reproductive System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Evening primrose oil (EPO) has been used traditionally to support the reproductive system, particularly for female health concerns such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), breast pain (mastalgia), and symptoms associated with menopause. The oil is a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid thought to help regulate prostaglandin synthesis, which may, in theory, influence menstrual symptoms and inflammation. Historically, EPO has been used in herbal and folk medicine to alleviate menstrual discomfort and support hormonal balance. However, scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited and inconsistent. Several studies and systematic reviews have found little or no clinically meaningful benefit for PMS, mastalgia, or menopausal symptoms compared to placebo. A few small trials have reported subjective improvements, but these results have not been robustly replicated in larger, well-designed studies. Consequently, while EPO continues to be popular as a natural remedy in reproductive health, its efficacy remains largely supported by tradition and anecdotal reports rather than strong scientific validation.
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Other ingredients that support Reproductive System
acetyl l-carnitineamino acids
ashwagandha
beta-sitosterol
black cohosh
bovine
bovine liver
broccoli
calcium
chaste tree
Chinese salvia root
choline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fennel
fenugreek
fish protein
flaxseed
folate
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
ginger
ginseng
gokhru
hops
inositol
iodine
iron
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-arginine
l-carnitine
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus jensenii
licorice root
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
maca
magnesium
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
muira puama
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
pomegranate
protein
pumpkin
quail egg
raspberry
rehmannia glutinosa
saffron
saw palmetto
selenium
selenium
soybean
spearmint leaf
tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin D
vitamin E
vitamin E
seaweed
water
wild yam
zinc
sarsaparilla
red clover
suma
squawvine
mugwort
nut grass
anise
punarnava
smilax
chaff flower
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
eucommia
ganoderma
lotus seed
morinda
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
guelder rose
trace minerals
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
barrenwort
shepherd's purse
wood betony
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
yohimbe
11-Ketotestosterone
25-d-spirosta-3, 5-diene
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
8-Prenylnaringenin
Antler
Arachidonic Acid
Achyranthes
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Alchemilla
Aletris
Anserina
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Agnuside
Ashoka
Ant
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Animal protein
Blue Cohosh
Babchi
Baliospermum
Black galingale
Beef
Beef liver
Bugbane
Bulbine natalensis
Black Gram
Banyan
Ba Ji Tian
Barbasco
Bee products
Borassus aethiopum
banana
Boerhavia diffusa
Calochortus
Curculigo orchicides
Cohosh
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cucurbita
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Cnidium
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
Cyathula
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Casticin
Campylandra fimbriata
Catuaba
Costus
Carthamus
Canscora
DHEA
Daidzein
Deer Velvet
Dong Quai
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Date
Egg
Elk antler
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Embelia
Isoflavones
Lotus
Orchid
yohimbine
Other body systems supported by evening primrose oil
BreastsFemale Reproductive System
Joints
Ovaries
Prostaglandins
Reproductive System
Skin
Vagina
Products containing evening primrose oil
Nature's Sunshine Evening Primrose Oil
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Super GLA