Evening primrose (oenothera biennis) is a biennial plant native to North America (east of the Rockies to the Atlantic), but now found all over the world. Its flowers open in the evening and close during the day, and emit a strong, sweet perfume to attract pollinating insects.

The whole plant is edible: the leaves are cooked or eaten as greens, roots are boiled as potatoes (and apparently have a sweet taste), flowers are added to salads, or used as garnish. Even young seedpods are eaten.

The plant has long been used in alternative medicine as well.

Oil pressed from the tiny reddish seeds in the fruit - or seedpod - is very rich in Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). GLA is essential for many vital functions in the body, but the body is not able to manufacture it. GLA helps prevent the hardening of the arteries, heart disease, eczema, cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, PMS, and aids in lowering cholesterol levels. The bark and the leaves are astringent, and the tea made from the roots is used to treat obesity.

When applied topically to the skin, evening primrose oil is a wonderful emollient and moisturizer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, reduces redness and is anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle.

We use evening primrose oil in the following Violetta's Garden products:

• Echinacea Hydrating Gel
• Daily Moisturizing Cream with Rue and Horse Chestnut
• Fenugreek Anti-Ageing Cream Concentrate
• Ginkgo Anti-Ageing Eye Contour Cream