Herb
Evening primrose
SaveAn oil-rich plant best known for its gamma-linolenic acid content and use in PMS, mastalgia, and skin support.
Quick verdict
A niche option with mixed evidence, but some people do get relief for cyclical breast discomfort and inflammatory skin symptoms.
Evidence score
A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.
What the research shows
Evening primrose oil has mixed trials for eczema and PMS, with somewhat better support for cyclical mastalgia. GLA metabolism likely explains much of the interest.
Benefits
- May reduce cyclical breast tenderness
- Provides gamma-linolenic acid for inflammatory balance
- Sometimes used for dry or irritated skin
Dosage notes
Common supplemental use is 500-3000 mg/day of the oil in divided doses.
Side effects
- Soft stool
- Headache
- Possible nausea
Who should be cautious
May increase bleeding risk slightly and should be used cautiously with seizure disorders or phenothiazine drugs.
What this page cannot tell you
Most human studies are small, short, or use standardized extracts rather than the raw herb.
Leaderboard scores
- Pain25
- Mood20
- Recovery15
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