Essential Oil Database

Photo: Oenothera Biennis

Evening Primrose

Carrier Oil

Botanical Name:

Oenothera Biennis

Family Name:

Onagraceae

Source Country:

UK

Plant Parts Used:

Seed

Extraction Method:

Cold pressed

Major Constituents:

Linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid

Botanical Description

Photo: Oenothera Biennis

Oenothera Biennis is native to North America, and naturalised in temperate regions worldwide. It is a biennial plant commonly known as Common Evening Primrose growing up to 60 cm tall. Evening Primrose produce a yellow flower on a tall spike which open in the evening and close again the following morning.

Pollinated Evening Primrose flowers produce a fruit capsule containing 2 mm long seeds, which are released upon maturity.

Evening Primrose has traditionally been used in Native American medicine. Oil of Evening Primrose is extracted by cold pressing producing a fixed oil.

Photo: Oenothera Biennis

Fragrance

Evening Primrose oil has a mildly light and sweet scent.

Evening Primrose oil is a pale yellow liquid.

Evening Primrose is used as a carrier oil for essential oils, however it is better to dilute Evening Primrose oil with another fixed or carrier oil, such as Grapeseed oil, at a ratio of 10% Evening Primrose to 90% other fixed oil.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Oenothera Biennis

Properties: antidepressant, antihistamine, tonic.

Aids: skin moisturising, weight loss.

Alleviates: allergies, breast tenderness, bruising, eczema, hives, itchiness, mood-swings, pre-menstrual tension, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, skin rash, water retention.

Safety Data

Avoid use if pregnant.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.