Evening primrose - especially its seeds - have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. But the plant is not only suitable for medicine, but also for the kitchen. Roots, leaves, flowers and seeds are edible and can be used in many culinary ways.
What are evening primrose seeds good for and how do you propagate them?
Evening primrose seeds are rich in gamma-linoleic acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties and support the immune and hormonal systems. They are easily propagated by either direct sowing, spring sowing, or allowing the plant to self-seed.
Ingredients and application
Evening primrose seeds in particular are rich in so-called gamma-linoleic acids, which are essential amino acids and are mainly responsible for the function of the immune and hormonal systems. They also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which is why evening primrose oil obtained from the seeds is often used to treat neurodermatitis. It is also said to help against premenstrual syndrome, as the fatty acid supports the hormonal system. Evening primrose oil is used both internally and externally.
Make your own evening primrose oil
Making evening primrose oil from the seeds is not an easy task, as the process is quite complicated. Making the effective oil yourself is not that easy. The following variant, on the other hand, is much easier to make in your own kitchen:
- a handful of freshly picked evening primrose flowers
- half a liter of good vegetable oil (e.g. olive oil, sunflower oil or rapeseed oil)
Fill the freshly picked, unwashed (just shaken out) flowers into a shootable glass container that is as dark as possible. Pour the oil over them and then close the jar. Leave the mixture in a warm, dark place for a week, then filter out the flowers from the oil. This can be done with the help of a fine cloth or a coffee filter. The resulting evening primrose oil will keep for about four weeks in a dark and cool place.
Sowing evening primrose seeds
The evening primrose is very easy to propagate using seeds, which you can collect when the seeds are ripe and sow either immediately or in spring. However, it is even easier to let the evening primroses sow themselves. However, you must not cut away the withered stems beforehand so that the capsule fruits can ripen. But be careful: Evening primrose seeds are also a popular food for birds, which is why you have to protect the fruits and therefore the seeds from damage.
Tip
Evening primrose seeds and evening primrose oil should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. In addition, epileptics are also not allowed to take the drug because it seems to provoke epileptic seizures.
