Page 77 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

The bright yellow flowers are partially to fully closed balancing the hormones, it prevents further hair loss
during the heat of the day. Flowers have four petals and, in some people, helps hair grow back. It is best
and are 1 to 2 inches (2.5 cm to 5 cm) across. They grow used both internally and externally (rub on the scalp
in a many-flowered terminal panicle. The fragrant daily along with diluted rosemary essential oil).
flowers last only 1 to 2 days. Seedpods are long and
narrow. Skin Diseases, Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne:
Evening primrose oil works well for people with skin
problems such as acne, eczema, dermatitis, and psori-
asis. It balances the hormonal causes of these diseases,
reduces inflammation, and promotes healing while re-
ducing symptoms such as itching, redness, and swell-
ing.

Arthritis and Osteoporosis: Evening primrose
oil is a good supplement for people with rheumatoid
arthritis and osteoporosis. It is anti-inflammatory and
reduces pain and stiffness. It also balances the hor-
mones that cause bone loss in osteoporosis. It also
seems to help with calcium absorption and is best com-
bined with fish oil.
Gastro-Intestinal Disorders: The bark and
leaves are astringent and healing. They are effective in
Edible Use: All parts of evening primrose are edible, treating gastro-intestinal disorders caused by muscle
including the flowers, leaves, stalks, oil, root, and
seedpods. Roots can be eaten either cooked or boiled. spasms of the stomach or intestines. They calm the
spasms and allow better digestion.
Its flowers and flower buds are good raw in salads.
Young seedpods can be cooked or steamed. Second Whooping Cough: Evening primrose is an expec-
year stems can be peeled and eaten fresh. Its seeds are torant. A syrup made from the flowers helps treat
edible and oily. Leaves aren’t usually eaten due to their whooping cough symptoms and is easier than a tinc-
texture but they can be if boiled a few times. ture or tea to get young children to swallow. Boil the
flowers in a small amount of water, strain, and sweeten
Medicinal Use: Evening primrose oil comes from with raw honey.
the seeds of the evening primrose, which contain
gamma linolenic acid (GLA) - an omega 6 fatty acid Asthma and Allergies: Use leaf and bark tea to
also found in borage. Flowers, roots, bark, and leaves treat asthma. The tea relieves bronchial spasms and
are also used medicinally. opens the airways. It does not cure the asthma, only

Balancing Women’s Hormones, PCOS, treats the symptoms. It seems to work best for asthma
with allergic causes.
PMS, and Menopause: Evening primrose oil
helps balance hormones in women. It naturally treats Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: Regular con-
symptoms of PMS, including breast tenderness, water sumption of evening primrose oil helps reduce blood
retention and bloating, acne, irritability, depression, cholesterol levels and lowers blood pressure.
moodiness, and headaches. Best results are achieved by long-term use; it is not in-

It is also useful in the treatment of polycystic ovarian tended for acute situations.
syndrome (PCOS), helping with fertility and in nor- Diabetic Neuropathy: Evening primrose oil helps
malizing the menstrual cycle. It helps ease the symp- treat nerve pain specifically due to diabetes.
toms of menopause as well, like hot flashes, moodi-
ness, and sleep disturbance. Harvesting, Preparation, and Storage: The
seeds of evening primrose ripen from August to Octo-
Hair Loss in Men and Women: Evening prim- ber. Collect them when ripe and press for oil before
rose attacks the hormonal causes of male pattern bald- they dry out. Flowers must be picked in full bloom.
ness and androgenetic alopecia in women. By

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