By Judi Singleton / Published on August 4th, 2007 / Health & Medical
old abandoned garden. I tried to dig it but it did not move well. I
loved the way it looked. I didn't know what it was so I took a flower
to my favorite nursery and ask what it was they told me it was a weed.
Could I get some for my yard. The guy at the nursery thought I was
nuts. I remember him telling me that it would take over my yard. But he
got me two plants and it did spread. Like many of my other herbs it is
prolific but I just cut the ones that get out of hand and put them in
my compost pile. For some reason unknown to me they help break down
compost at a faster rate.
One of the first things I learned about this herb was that it was a
night time flower. I love night time flowers they shine in the
moonlight. Evening Primrose is especially beautiful in a moonlight
garden as it is phosphorescent in moonlight. It also has another name
it is called evening star because the petals seem to glow at night. It
is a perennial reaching about 4 inches in heighth with pale yellow
flowers it is especially fragrant. It can be eaten it is a true pot
herb because the whole plant can be eaten. The root when boiled tastes
to me something like parsnips.
The origin of Evening Primrose is North America but it spread to Europe
by cargo ship that were shipping cotton and soil was dumped and the
plant began to grow. It was quickly recognized and named in Europe the
"King Cureall" because of its many uses.
Some of the studies that have been done on Evening Primrose oil are on
PMS,Eczema and other skin disorders,Cholesterol and Blood
Pressure,Rheumatoid Arthritis,Alcoholism,Immune System,Obesity, Benign
Breast Disease, Childhood Hyperactivity and Schizophrenia have all been
shown to be helped by EPO supplementation.
Formerly cultivated for its nutritious edible roots, it is being
increasingly cultivated for the oil contained in its seeds which
contains certain the essential gamma-linoleinc acid (GLA), a very
valuable fatty acid that is not found in many plants and has numerous
vital functions in the body. GLA is an essential fatty acid that the
body does not manufacture. I personally have never used it except for a
supplement for brittle dry nails, it is also very good for the hair.
I also saw an improvement in my skin.
But the main reason I raise this herb is that it is beautiful and it
brings delicous smells to my evening garden. I just like to have it
around even if it was not good for medicianl uses I would invite it
into my garden.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Judi Singleton is the publisher of Her.bal Harvest a
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