Without becoming too technical, the common Evening Primrose plant contains a high concentration of a fatty acid called GLA, and this fatty acid is largely responsible for the remarkable healing properties of the plant.  In fact, Evening Primrose contains one of the highest concentrations known of this important substance and only a few other plants contain it at all.  This makes Evening Primrose an important medicinal herb, and as studies continue, the list of benefits will likely become much longer. 

If you are troubled by the symptoms associated with PMS, you may finally find some relief with Evening Primrose.  Tests have shown that it reduces or eliminates many problems associated with PMS, including irritability, depression, bloating, and breast pain, and that taken regularly it may actually help regulate menstrual periods.  It is recommended that women who have PMS take up to 3000 mg of Evening Primrose Oil all month for relief of symptoms.  In Europe, Evening Primrose Oil is already established as an excellent remedy for PMS.

Other problems for which Evening Primrose Oil can be taken internally include asthma, allergies, cholesterol regulation, arteriosclerosis, chronic headaches, prostate health, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and scleroderma, complications arising from diabetes and poor circulation, cirrhosis of the liver, and drunk as a tea as a metabolic way to fight obesity. 

Externally, the leaves, stems,  and roots can be boiled in water for a tea that is very nourishing for the skin  and is effective for use in treatment of acne, dry skin, rashes, itchiness, and for overall skin health in general.

Extracting oils from Evening Primrose is really not practical for home gardeners, but oil preparations are readily available either via the links here or from your local health food store. 

Eating the flowers, seeds, leaves, or roots of Evening Primrose provides the same health benefits as taking commercial oil preparations, and as such, if you have Evening Primrose in the garden, you should definitely come up with creative ways to serve it at mealtime!

In general, Evening Primrose is quite safe to take with few reports of any side-effects, though people with a history of epilepsy should use caution.