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Evening primrose oil contains substantial amounts of polysaturated omega-6 fatty acids, essential fatty acids (EFAs) which are needed by the body to regulate a number of activities including insulin utilization, heart function, and mood.

In addition to omega-6 fatty Evening Primrose oil contains linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Both linoleic acid and GLA are believed to have very positive health and medicinal indications. Linoleic acid may affect how the body utilizes insulin, maintains weight, and fights cancer and heart disease. GLA may help to inhibit the body's production of chemicals that cause inflammation. Consequently, evening primrose oil is used to treat inflammatory conditions including both rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Some studies have also suggested that evening primrose oil may be useful in treating chronic fatigue syndrome, but more research is needed before evening primrose oil can be recommended for that condition.

Evening primrose oil may help to relieve pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), symptoms of menopause, and breast pain due to hormonal changes during menstruation. Supplementary GLA, such as is supplied by evening primrose oil, appears to relieve some PMS symptoms.

The GLA in Evening primrose oil appears to inhibit the development of diabetic neuropathy, the nerve damage that is the cause of diabetes.

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