Evening Primrose Carrier Oil - 100ml

Size: 100 ml

Description of aroma: The refined oil has a light, delicate and slightly sweet aroma. Unrefined oil is slightly stronger.

Colour: When refined the oil is a clear golden yellow, whereas the unrefined oil has a light brown hue.

Texture: This oil has a fine, pleasant feel and is easily absorbed, leaving just a trace of oiliness on the skin.

Points of interest: Considered by many the biggest discovery since vitamin C, evening primrose oil (EPO) continues to attract the attention of scientists all over the world, as its effectiveness becomes known in a wide range of physical problems. Its early use included the whole plant, and was employed extensively both internally and externally. North American medicine men were the first to recognize its potential as a healing agent. The first modern treatment using it was for multiple sclerosis.

EPO is extracted from the seeds of a large, delicate, yellow wild flower, first brought to Europe from Virginia in the 1600's. It is a tall spiky plant which grows almost anywhere - even found in altitudes of up to 9,000 feet in areas such as in the Rocky Mountains. It bursts into bloom early in the evening, hence its name. The tiny seeds are the size of mustard seeds and are hand-harvested. EPO is highly unsaturated and rich in fatty acids, especially gamma linolenic acid. GLA is an essential fatty acid the body uses to manufacture hormone-like substances called prostoglandins, which are involved in healthy functioning of many types of body tissues; combating pain and inflammation, regulating the menstrual cycle and controlling blood/cholesterol levels while, while appearing to have a beneficial effect on the brain and immune system.

Uses: An excellent oil for face and body massage blends, particularly for dry, scaly, devitalized and prematurely aging skin. Helpful for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, rosacea and dandruff, it also accelerates the healing of wounds and scars. By forming a protective layer on the epidermis, it keeps the complexion strong and supple, and is consequently a popular ingredient in skin care products. Internally EPO has proven incredibly effective in numerous studies, and is widely taken for its effective relief from premenstrual syndrome and other female problems. It has also proven effective with other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, acne, endometriosis, schizophrenia, heart disease, diabetic nerve damage and obesity.

Notes: Evening primrose oil is quite expensive so use in a 10% dilution with a cheaper carrier oil, such as sweet almond. This oil goes rancid easily, having a maximum shelf life of about 6 months, but you can prolong this by keeping it in the fridge. As with all vegetable oils, the best quality is produced by the cold-pressing extraction method.

Safety precautions: EPO should never be taken internally without consulting a qualified practitioner. Do not take it if you are pregnant or nursing. Some people report abdominal bloating and discomfort after taking it internally. More testing is required to confirm the effectiveness for EPO for the above-mentioned conditions, although results are promising so far.


A base oil or carrier oil is an oil that can be used for massage by itself or as a carrier for pure essential oils. The addition of these essential oils gives the oil an aroma which will have a positive impact upon health in way that depends upon your choice of oils. A recommended amount would be up to six drops of pure essential oil into 10-15 ml (about 2-3 teaspoons) of base oil. Vegetable oils used in aromatherapy should be cold pressed or refined without the use of chemical agents (all ours are) as some vegetable oils in supermarkets may have been extracted with the help of a chemical agent.

About Holisticshop.co.uk own brand oils:
Originally the Holisticshop range of oils went under the name of Windflowers. This company was founded by a qualified aromatherapist, selling high quality oils to shops and aromatherapists throughout UK and the world. In October 2003 the opportunity came up for Holisticshop to buy Windflowers, which we did. This acquisition has meant Holisticshop customers can now buy high quality oils at the price professional aromatherapists would expect to pay. These are aromatherapist quality oils. Lower quality oils are available on the market but we continue to pick the best quality source for every oil. For example Windflowers lavender oil is "High Alpine" lavender from Mount Ventoux in the Pyrennes and the ylang ylang is the "complete" oil, not the ylang ylang II or III which come from a different stage in the distillation process.