Evening Primrose for Eczema

(Page 2 of 2)

November/December 1999
By C. Leigh Broadhurst, Ph. D., and James A. Duke, Ph. D. 
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Reversing the deficiency

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A deficiency of PUFAs in the diet may cause scaly dermatitis and skin lesions. The symptoms—red, itchy, scaly skin—bear a similarity to atopic eczema. Atopic means that the eczema is caused wholly or in part by a genetically based allergic condition.

It was once believed that large quantities of LA could cure atopic eczema. Research indicates that this type of eczema probably is caused by the body’s impaired ability to convert LA to its derivatives such as GLA, so prescribing large quantities of LA for treatment no longer makes sense. However, if atopic eczema patients receive only 2 to 6 g of evening primrose oil, a ready source of GLA, there is a dramatic clinical improvement in their skin.

Other people may benefit from GLA too

Research shows that GLA is also effective for treating a variety of health problems, including

• genetic allergies
• cardiovascular disease
• diabetes, types I and II
• hyperactivity disorders
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• arthritis

People with these problems may want to consider making GLA an essential addition to their health ­regimen.

Additional reading

Andreassi, M., et al. “Efficacy of gamma-linolenic acid in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis.” Journal of International Medical Research 1997, 2:266–274.

Gerster, H. “Can adults adequately convert a-linolenic acid (18:n–3) to eicosapentaneoic acid (20:5n–3) and docosahexanoic acid (22:6n–3)?” International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research 1998, 68:159–173.

C. Leigh Broadhurst holds a doctorate in geochemistry and is a nutrition consultant in Clovery, Maryland.

James Duke is a member of the Herbs for Health Editorial Advisory Board. His most recent book is The Green Pharmacy (Rodale, 1997).

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