Last update
3/15/2026
Reviewed By
Overview
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 16 Researches
7.7
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 2 Reviews
8.3
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Softgel
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Calories
15
Total Fat
1.5 g
2%‡
Evening Primrose Seed Oil (Oenothera biennis)
1,300 mg
†
GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid)
130 mg
†
Top Medical Research Studies
9
We investigated how evening primrose oil affects cardiovascular health in rabbits fed a high-fat diet. Over six weeks, we found that it contributed to lower cholesterol levels and improved beneficial HDL-cholesterol. Additionally, the oil boosted prostacyclin synthesis, which plays a key role in keeping blood vessels healthy.
Our analysis showed that evening primrose oil reduced platelet adhesion and the size of arterial wall lesions. This suggests it may support better vascular health by enhancing the endothelium's ability to prevent blood clots.
Our analysis showed that evening primrose oil reduced platelet adhesion and the size of arterial wall lesions. This suggests it may support better vascular health by enhancing the endothelium's ability to prevent blood clots.
Read More
9
We explored the effects of dietary gamma-linolenic acid, found in evening primrose oil, on heart health in genetically modified mice prone to cardiovascular issues.
Over a period of 15 weeks, these mice were fed various diets, including those rich in gamma-linolenic acid.
Our observations showed that diets containing this oil slowed the growth of aortic smooth muscle cells and reduced the size of atherosclerotic lesions. However, overall cholesterol levels did not show significant changes.
Thus, while evening primrose oil benefits certain aspects of cardiovascular health, its impacts on overall lipid profiles remain limited.
Over a period of 15 weeks, these mice were fed various diets, including those rich in gamma-linolenic acid.
Our observations showed that diets containing this oil slowed the growth of aortic smooth muscle cells and reduced the size of atherosclerotic lesions. However, overall cholesterol levels did not show significant changes.
Thus, while evening primrose oil benefits certain aspects of cardiovascular health, its impacts on overall lipid profiles remain limited.
Read More
9
Evening primrose oil lowers blood pressure
We explored how dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids influence blood pressure, particularly under salt-loading conditions, using borderline hypertensive rats. In this study, we observed that evening primrose oil significantly lowered blood pressure, even below normal levels, while other oils like fish and sunflower also helped in reducing the pressor response. However, the beneficial effects did not depend on food or electrolyte intake. These findings indicate that dietary fats like evening primrose oil may help manage salt-induced blood pressure increases.
Read More
Most Useful Reviews
9
Useful for women
Evening primrose oil is a great discovery for women suffering from various conditions. It is also beneficial for pregnant women to help prevent complications during childbirth. Moreover, this supplement increases progesterone levels in women. Approved by a nutritionist, I highly recommend it.
Read More
6
Pain relief
My periods are very painful, and I read that evening primrose relieves these symptoms and eases this difficult time.
Read More
Medical Researches
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 16 Researches
7.7
- All Researches
9
We explored the effects of dietary gamma-linolenic acid, found in evening primrose oil, on heart health in genetically modified mice prone to cardiovascular issues.
Over a period of 15 weeks, these mice were fed various diets, including those rich in gamma-linolenic acid.
Our observations showed that diets containing this oil slowed the growth of aortic smooth muscle cells and reduced the size of atherosclerotic lesions. However, overall cholesterol levels did not show significant changes.
Thus, while evening primrose oil benefits certain aspects of cardiovascular health, its impacts on overall lipid profiles remain limited.
Over a period of 15 weeks, these mice were fed various diets, including those rich in gamma-linolenic acid.
Our observations showed that diets containing this oil slowed the growth of aortic smooth muscle cells and reduced the size of atherosclerotic lesions. However, overall cholesterol levels did not show significant changes.
Thus, while evening primrose oil benefits certain aspects of cardiovascular health, its impacts on overall lipid profiles remain limited.
Read More
9
We investigated how evening primrose oil affects cardiovascular health in rabbits fed a high-fat diet. Over six weeks, we found that it contributed to lower cholesterol levels and improved beneficial HDL-cholesterol. Additionally, the oil boosted prostacyclin synthesis, which plays a key role in keeping blood vessels healthy.
Our analysis showed that evening primrose oil reduced platelet adhesion and the size of arterial wall lesions. This suggests it may support better vascular health by enhancing the endothelium's ability to prevent blood clots.
Our analysis showed that evening primrose oil reduced platelet adhesion and the size of arterial wall lesions. This suggests it may support better vascular health by enhancing the endothelium's ability to prevent blood clots.
Read More
9
Evening primrose oil lowers blood pressure
We explored how dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids influence blood pressure, particularly under salt-loading conditions, using borderline hypertensive rats. In this study, we observed that evening primrose oil significantly lowered blood pressure, even below normal levels, while other oils like fish and sunflower also helped in reducing the pressor response. However, the beneficial effects did not depend on food or electrolyte intake. These findings indicate that dietary fats like evening primrose oil may help manage salt-induced blood pressure increases.
Read More
8
Evening primrose oil mitigates thrombotic risk
We explored the impact of evening primrose oil (EPO) on the cardiovascular risks associated with celecoxib, a pain reliever linked to increased clotting factors. Using a mouse model of endotoxemia, we tested EPO alongside celecoxib for a month and found that it effectively reduced elevated tissue factor activity and overall clotting risks induced by celecoxib.
Our results suggested that combining EPO with celecoxib could provide a preventative strategy against potential thrombotic events in patients taking the medication. Overall, EPO showed promise in mitigating celecoxib's adverse cardiovascular effects.
Our results suggested that combining EPO with celecoxib could provide a preventative strategy against potential thrombotic events in patients taking the medication. Overall, EPO showed promise in mitigating celecoxib's adverse cardiovascular effects.
Read More
8
Evening primrose oil reduces platelet aggregation
We evaluated the effects of evening primrose oil supplementation on platelet aggregation in rabbits fed an atherogenic diet. Over six weeks, we divided 40 male rabbits into four groups to measure platelet behavior and related factors.
Our findings revealed that the atherogenic diet significantly increased platelet aggregation. However, the addition of evening primrose oil decreased this hyperaggregation back to levels seen in rabbits with normal diets. While EPO showed promising effects on platelet function, we observed no significant long-term benefits on cardiovascular health.
Our findings revealed that the atherogenic diet significantly increased platelet aggregation. However, the addition of evening primrose oil decreased this hyperaggregation back to levels seen in rabbits with normal diets. While EPO showed promising effects on platelet function, we observed no significant long-term benefits on cardiovascular health.
Read More
User Reviews
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 2 Reviews
8.3
- All Reviews
- Positive Reviews
- Negative Reviews
9
Useful for women
Evening primrose oil is a great discovery for women suffering from various conditions. It is also beneficial for pregnant women to help prevent complications during childbirth. Moreover, this supplement increases progesterone levels in women. Approved by a nutritionist, I highly recommend it.
Read More
6
Pain relief
My periods are very painful, and I read that evening primrose relieves these symptoms and eases this difficult time.
Read More
Frequently Asked Questions
7
Evening primrose oil and lipid benefits
We investigated how evening primrose oil (EPO) might influence heart health by reviewing several clinical trials. Although overall results indicated no significant changes in total cholesterol and LDL levels, we discovered that taking EPO at a dose of 4 grams or less each day can notably lower triglyceride (TG) levels and enhance high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in individuals with high cholesterol.
This suggests that while EPO might not be a universal solution for everyone, it shows promise for those dealing with hyperlipidemia. It’s exciting to note that specific groups could benefit from this natural supplement in managing their lipid profiles.
This suggests that while EPO might not be a universal solution for everyone, it shows promise for those dealing with hyperlipidemia. It’s exciting to note that specific groups could benefit from this natural supplement in managing their lipid profiles.
8
Evening primrose oil mitigates thrombotic risk
We explored the impact of evening primrose oil (EPO) on the cardiovascular risks associated with celecoxib, a pain reliever linked to increased clotting factors. Using a mouse model of endotoxemia, we tested EPO alongside celecoxib for a month and found that it effectively reduced elevated tissue factor activity and overall clotting risks induced by celecoxib.
Our results suggested that combining EPO with celecoxib could provide a preventative strategy against potential thrombotic events in patients taking the medication. Overall, EPO showed promise in mitigating celecoxib's adverse cardiovascular effects.
Our results suggested that combining EPO with celecoxib could provide a preventative strategy against potential thrombotic events in patients taking the medication. Overall, EPO showed promise in mitigating celecoxib's adverse cardiovascular effects.
8
We examined how different oils affect heart health by studying Japanese quails given specific diets for three months. The quails consuming evening primrose oil showed significantly lower plasma cholesterol levels compared to those on corn and oleic acid diets.
Although evening primrose oil doesn't completely eliminate heart disease risk factors, it demonstrated an ability to decrease lipid levels, suggesting a potential benefit in managing cholesterol.
Overall, while evening primrose oil showed promise, it wasn’t a miracle solution for cardiovascular health.
Although evening primrose oil doesn't completely eliminate heart disease risk factors, it demonstrated an ability to decrease lipid levels, suggesting a potential benefit in managing cholesterol.
Overall, while evening primrose oil showed promise, it wasn’t a miracle solution for cardiovascular health.
7
We assessed the effects of evening primrose oil (EPO) on blood pressure and serum lipids in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Over a 22-week period, rats received diets including EPO, alongside sunflower seed oil, fish oil, or a combination with fish oil.
Our findings revealed that EPO led to significant reductions in both systolic blood pressure and serum triglycerides. Interestingly, the combo of EPO and fish oil resulted in unexpectedly high triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Overall, EPO showed potential benefits, but results highlighted the unique impacts of different oils on cardiovascular health.
Our findings revealed that EPO led to significant reductions in both systolic blood pressure and serum triglycerides. Interestingly, the combo of EPO and fish oil resulted in unexpectedly high triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Overall, EPO showed potential benefits, but results highlighted the unique impacts of different oils on cardiovascular health.
References
- Khorshidi M, Zarezadeh M, Moradi Moghaddam O, Emami MR, Kord-Varkaneh H, et al. Effect of evening primrose oil supplementation on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Phytother Res. 2020;34:2628. 10.1002/ptr.6716
- Mosaad SM, Zaitone SA, Ahmed AA, Abo-Elmatty DM, El-Baz AA, et al. Evening primrose oil or forskolin ameliorates celecoxib-enhanced upregulation of tissue factor expression in mice subjected to lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2017;390:483. 10.1007/s00210-017-1342-y
- Zaitone SA, Moustafa YM, Mosaad SM, El-Orabi NF. Effect of evening primrose oil and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the cardiovascular risk of celecoxib in rats. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2011;58:72. 10.1097/FJC.0b013e31821c8353
- Fan YY, Ramos KS, Chapkin RS. Dietary gamma-linolenic acid suppresses aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and modifies atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E knockout mice. J Nutr. 2001;131:1675. PubMed
- Charnock JS. Gamma-linolenic acid provides additional protection against ventricular fibrillation in aged rats fed linoleic acid rich diets. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2000;62:129. PubMed
- Villalobos MA, De La Cruz JP, Martín-Romero M, Carmona JA, Smith-Agreda JM, et al. Effect of dietary supplementation with evening primrose oil on vascular thrombogenesis in hyperlipemic rabbits. Thromb Haemost. 1998;80:696. PubMed
- De La Cruz JP, Martín-Romero M, Carmona JA, Villalobos MA, Sánchez de la Cuesta F. Effect of evening primrose oil on platelet aggregation in rabbits fed an atherogenic diet. Thromb Res. 1997;87:141. PubMed
- Sadi AM, Toda T, Oku H, Hokama S. Dietary effects of corn oil, oleic acid, perilla oil, and evening [corrected] primrose oil on plasma and hepatic lipid level and atherosclerosis in Japanese quail. Exp Anim. 1996;45:55. PubMed
- Engler MM. Comparative study of diets enriched with evening primrose, black currant, borage or fungal oils on blood pressure and pressor responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1993;49:809. PubMed
- Mtabaji JP, Manku MS, Horrobin DF. Abnormalities in dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid release in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 1993;6:458. PubMed
- Fragoso YD, Skinner ER. The effect of gammalinolenic acid on the subfractions of plasma high density lipoprotein of the rabbit. Biochem Pharmacol. 1992;44:1085. PubMed
- Singer P, Moritz V, Wirth M, Berger I, Forster D. Blood pressure and serum lipids from SHR after diets supplemented with evening primrose, sunflowerseed or fish oil. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1990;40:17. PubMed
- Uccella R, Contini A, Sartorio M. [Action of evening primrose oil on cardiovascular risk factors in insulin-dependent diabetics]. Clin Ter. 1989;129:381. PubMed
- Mills DE, Ward RP, Mah M, DeVette L. Dietary N-6 and N-3 fatty acids and salt-induced hypertension in the borderline hypertensive rat. Lipids. 1989;24:17. PubMed
- Mtabaji JP, Manku MS, Horrobin DF. Release of fatty acids by perfused vascular tissue in normotensive and hypertensive rats. Hypertension. 1988;12:39. PubMed
- Soma M, Manku MS, Horrobin DF. The effects of hydrogenated coconut oil, safflower oil, and evening primrose oil on development of hypertension and sodium handling in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1985;63:325. PubMed
Data last updated:
