In the last decade many individuals have started taking primrose oil for a number of medical ailments. Some just take the primrose oil for routine prophylaxis for a better life style. There is a belief among athletes that taking more supplements is better for the body and Primrose Oil is just one more nutrient along the same lines.

Evening primrose oil (EPO) is known to contain an omega-6 essential fatty acid which is believed to be the active ingredient. There has been a lot of work on Primrose oil. The substance has been widely used in Europe for decades for the treatment of arthritis, constipation, fibromyalgia, premenstrual syndrome, headaches, nausea, etc. There are many reports from diabetic individuals that daily intake of primrose oil can reduce blood sugars. However, high-quality evidence for its use in most conditions is still lacking.

Conditions where there is some clinical evidence about the benefits of Primrose oil include skin disorders like eczema, chronic fatigue syndrome, herpetic infections and diabetes. But one has to remember that all the evidence is anecdotal. There are no randomized clinical studies which have evaluated the benefits of primrose oil and no one has any idea what the other ingredients in Primrose oil are.

With regard to diabetes, the few available reports do indicate the blood glucose levels decease after regular intake of the chemical. Other individuals with long standing diabetic neuropathy have also claimed that the pain and tingling that occurs with diabetes disappears with oral intake of primrose oil.

There are some who also claim that primrose oil helps improve fatigue and insomnia. However, these reports are all anecdotal and there is no science behind it.

At the moment, Primrose oil is not a substitute for the standard treatment of diabetes. It may be used as an adjunct to insulin and the other oral hypoglycemic drugs. Side effects of Primrose oil include headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea and occasionally drop in blood pressure. There is not enough information to recommend the safe use of evening primrose oil during pregnancy or breastfeeding.