EVENING PRIMROSE
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                                    CULTIVATION:
     Evening  primrose is a biennial, or  occasionally annual plant, on a thick
     yellowish  root. Flowers are very fragrant  and yellow in color. They will
     open in the evening.

     Primrose  needs  a sunny and open location,  with a well drained soil, but
     will  tolerate  most soils. Sow seeds in  spring  to early summer, it also
     will  self-seed  in light soil. Transplant  to  12 inches apart by autumn.
     Evening primrose is not a suitable herb for growing indoors.

     Collect  seeds when ripe, and gather  leaves and stem when flowering stems
     have  grown. Dig up roots in the second year. Both seeds and leaves can be
     dried.


                                   CULINARY USES:
     All parts of this plant are edible. Boil the roots, which taste like sweet
     parsnip, or pickle and toss in salads.


                                   MEDICAL USES:
     Evening primrose oil is a rich, natural source of gamma-linolenic acid, or
     GLA,  which the body requires for a range of functions. Researchers belive
     that  GLA might be of some considerable use in the treatment of arthritis.
     Further  studies  are  warranted  and because  the  findings  to  date are
     limited.

     Evening  primrose has received attention  from pharmaceutical concerns who
     discovered  that  it possesses a compound  capable of reducing the rate of
     blood  clotting  or  thrombus formation, and  hence  possibly  acting as a
     prophylactic against some form of heart attack.

     May  be applied externally as a poultice  or in ointments in the treatment
     of  minor wounds or skin eruptions. infuse  the peeled bark and the leaves
     to soothe cough spasms.

     The  best  remedy  for the  dull  headache, irritability, mild depression,
     fluid  retention or painful breast, experienced  by many woman just before
     their  periods  is  evening  primrose oil.  You  can  purchase  the oil in
     capsules.


                                      WARNING:
     Evening  primrose oil should be used  only under a doctor's supervision. A
     direct effect on the liver is suspected but not proven.


                                  COSMETIC  USES:
     Primrose  oil is useful in shampoos and  conditioner for dry hair. It also
     helps  with  dry  skin. To make your  own  shampoo  for dry hair, pour one
     application  of a mild baby shampoo into a cup and add 4 drops of primrose
     oil. Mix together and use in the normal manner.