Evening Primrose is totally unlike the dainty spring-flowering primrose which grows in the garden. It is a tall, attractive, wild herb, standing high above other wild plants. The brilliant flowers open only in the evening. The plant is biennial and in the first year produces a flat rosette of long tapering leaves. The second year the single stem grows tall and straight and bears the lovely fragrant, yellow (usually) flowers all along its length from summer into the autumn. The roots, which a long and tapering like a parsnip, can be eaten as a vegetable and are full of nourishment.
Evening Primrose is an easy herb to grown in the garden. In the spring or early summer sow the seed in ordinary garden soil where it is to grow and flower. It will readily self-seed and provide a good succession of plants. The oil is obtained from the seeds which are gathered when ripe.
The oil extracted from the seeds contains valuable properties and is used in the treatment of a variety of ailments. Evening Primrose oil is rich in the two fatty acides essential to the metabolism of the body. One is linoleic acid and the other is gamma linoleic acid known as GLA. This vital GLA is converted in the body to substances which help in the growth and reproduction of cells. It is helpful to those who suffer from pre-menstrualstress or the distressing symptoms of the menopause. Evening Primrose oil is also effective in the treatment of eczema. Taken internally the oil is believed to benefit the skin, hair and the eyes. Externally the oil helps the skin to retain moisture.