Phytotherapy

Evening primrose oil

Oenothera biennis (oil)

Mechanism

Evening primrose oil is obtained from the seeds of the evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) and is one of the richest plant sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid. GLA is an intermediate in fatty-acid metabolism and can be converted into inflammation-modulating eicosanoid precursors (dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid); from this the traditional use for skin and coat topics is derived. In human medicine the data on GLA in atopic dermatitis are inconsistent (both positive and negative controlled studies). Robust equine studies on clinical endpoints are practically lacking; its use in the horse is experiential and derived from human data.

Cautions

· GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid — keep an eye on the omega-6/omega-3 ratio of the overall ration, do not enrich omega-6 one-sidedly
· Highly prone to oxidation — store cool, dark and not too long; discard once it smells rancid
· Equine evidence on clinical endpoints is thin

Sources

PMID:24435467Simon et al. 2014 (Adv Ther) — GLA-Spiegel und klinische Wirksamkeit von Nachtkerzenöl bei atopischer Dermatitis (Mensch)

EMA/HMPC Oenotherae oleumEMA/HMPC — Hinweise zu Nachtkerzenöl (Oenothera biennis, Samenöl)

Equiterna Score

57/100

solid

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety7/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosageproduct-specific; in practice approx. 20–40 ml/animal/day (large horse), introduced gradually

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyWith caution

Evidenceemerging

Frequently asked questions

Is Evening primrose oil a feed or a veterinary medicine for horses?

Equiterna classes Evening primrose oil as “Complementary feed”. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009.

Is Evening primrose oil allowed at FEI competitions?

In the profile, Evening primrose oil is listed with the FEI status “Not listed”. The current FEI list is authoritative, so please check its latest version.

Which dosage do the sources give for Evening primrose oil?

Stated in the profile: product-specific; in practice approx. 20–40 ml/animal/day (large horse), introduced gradually. This is information from the literature, not an instruction for an individual horse.

Which sources are there for Evening primrose oil?

The profile cites: PMID:24435467 and EMA/HMPC Oenotherae oleum.

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is source-attributed (PubMed, specialist journals, NRC/GfE, EU regulations) and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.

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