Herbs Guide

Evening Primrose

Family Name: Onagraceae

Botanical Name(s): Oenothffa bionnis

Popular Name(s): Common Evening Primrose, Fever Plant, Field Primrose, King's Cureall, Night Willow-Herb, Tree Primrose, Primrose

Parts Used: The plant

Habitat: Evening Primrose is native to North America.

Description: Evening primrose is an annual or biennial plant with a stout, erect stem which grows to a height of about 3 to 6 inches. It leaves are pointed, lanceolate occurring alternately and are 3 to 6 inches long. The flowers, occurring in June to October, are yellow in colour with a diameter of 1 to 2-1/2 inches. The fruits occur in the form of oblong, hairy capsules.

Uses: Evening Primrose has astringent and mucilaginous action. It is used to cure coughs and colds. Its oil is effective in treating diabetes, high blood pressure, schizophrenia, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema and a number of other diseases.