Little Known but Powerful Supplements Part 3: Evening Primrose and Dong Quai

This is the third part of our ongoing series on little known supplements and how they might help your health, fitness or sports regimen.Traditional medicine has long promoted the use of herbs for alleviating the frequent irritation, aches and pains we all face in everyday life. Before you head to the drugstore, consider the two herbal supplements below for what ails you…

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is pressed from the seeds of the evening primrose (Oenothera lamarckiana), a wildflower that grows throughout North and South America. The shoots and roots are edible, and were brought back to Europe by early colonists as a food crop- the shoots are used in salads, and the roots can be eaten like a tuber and are peppery in flavor.

Historically, EPO has been used for a variety of healing methods and was a key medicine in Shaker society,  known widely as “King’s Cure-all”. Evening primrose seeds are very high in fatty acids, especially gamma-lineolic acid (GLA), which is the most healthful of the Omega-6 fatty acids. The oil pressed from the seeds has strong astringent and sedative properties, and is especially useful for alleviating bronchial irritation/coughs and gastrointestinal inflammation/gas. It is also shown to be helpful for rash and itch relief.

For relief of indigestion, cough, premenstrual cramping, or itchy skin, 1-2 grams a day of EPO can be used. 4X carries the Jarrow Formula brand in a 30-day supply for just $14.50!

Dong Quai: (Angelica sinensis) is a powerful herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over a thousand years. Also known as female ginseng or Chinese angelica, Dong Quai is a flowering plant in the celery family that grows in the rainy, mountainous regions of China, Korea and Japan. The supplements used in herbal medicine are made from its roots, and are administered via tablets, powders, and injections.

Dong Quai’s benefits are for women users, in particular, the relief of premenstrual cramping and menopausal hot flashes. However, there is also a history of traditional use for relief of chest pain and high blood pressure, as Dong Quai has analgesic and antioxidant properties. It should not be used by individuals taking blood thinners or any estrogen-based hormones, or pregnant women.

For women seeking relief of the symptoms mentioned above, a dose of around 4 grams a day may be used. 4X carries the Nature’s Herbs brand of Dong Quai in a 30-day supply for just $11.99!

For more information on herbs and supplements, stop in and see us, and stay tuned for more posts in this series.

Until next time!

Whit