Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
The shared monograph “oenotherae oleum” includes Oenothera grandiflora L’Hér. This profile is limited to the parts and preparations described there.
The name Oenothera lamarckiana in the monograph is linked by Kew MPNS to Oenothera grandiflora. It must not be replaced by Oenothera glazioviana.
Also known as: Oenothera lamarckiana Ser., Lamarck's evening primrose
A common name and photograph do not guarantee identification. Check the botanical name and part indicated on a traceable product.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Itching of dry skin
Oral seed oil: EMA traditional use for itching associated with dry skin. Findings do not establish efficacy for eczema and do not validate hormone treatment or labour induction.
Use considered plausible in a traditional-use monograph. That status alone does not demonstrate clinical efficacy.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications & precautions
- Source-listed contraindicationAllergy to the substance or preparation.Source
Medicine interactions
- Insufficient dataInteractions are insufficiently documented in the sources re-read. Ask a pharmacist to check the preparation against current medicines.Source
Other retained warnings · review incomplete
These existing warnings remain relevant to consult. Their exhaustive reassessment is outside this targeted review.
Restrictions and precautions
- Allergy to the preparation.
Medicine interactions
- The selected data do not allow compatibility with your treatments to be guaranteed. Ask a pharmacist to check.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: medicinal use is not recommended; insufficient data.
Medicinal use is not recommended under 12 years.
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- Digestive disturbances, headache or rash are possible.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Insufficient data: medicinal use is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This data gap is distinct from an established contraindication.
SourceChildren & adolescents
Medicinal use is not recommended below 12 years because data are insufficient; adult preparations and doses cannot be extrapolated.
SourceIf symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Forms & how they are used
DOCUMENTED FORMS
One plant, several preparations.
Only forms documented in this profile’s sources are presented.
Encapsulated seed oilSeeds · Route: oral
Fatty oil, distinct from an essential oil.
Please note: Follow the product's package leaflet; concentrations are not interchangeable.
Read the sourceUnderstanding the plant’s actions
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
How does the plant act?
This entry concerns fatty oil obtained from the seeds, not essential oil from the flowers. Oenothera grandiflora appears in medicinal product nomenclature with the historical name O. lamarckiana. The assessment concerns evening primrose oil from the accepted group; it does not prove effectiveness specific to this species. Use for itching associated with dry skin remains traditional.
Dry skin: a limited use
Traditional use targets skin discomfort. It is not enough to qualify the oil as an eczema treatment or attribute a hormonal action to it.
Use considered plausible in a traditional-use monograph. That status alone does not demonstrate clinical efficacy.
Read the referenceWhat this means for preparation.
Distinguish an oral product from a cosmetic for application. The species, seed, extraction method and storage conditions must be identifiable.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Why “evening primrose oil” is not enough
The references do not establish a benefit. Lack of evidence is not assurance of safety.
- Type of research
- Regulatory assessment of the group of oils
- Preparation concerned
- Seed oil, in the preparations defined by the monograph.
- Observed results
- Traditional use is recognized; trials do not establish convincing efficacy for eczema.
- Limitations to consider
- The data do not isolate a benefit of O. grandiflora. Do not apply the results of a specific product to every food or cosmetic oil.
What can we take from this?
The content of this profile does not provide a means to balance hormones or treat diagnosed dermatitis. The public leaflet does not provide a complete batch-specific chemical profile.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- EMA — Oenotherae oleum, résumé public et état du dossierAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Kew MPNS — nomenclature of sources of evening primrose oilAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Kew POWO — Oenothera lamarckiana Ser., synonyme d’O. grandifloraAccessed on 09/10/2026
Image: Vries, Hugo de · Public domain. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.
