blooming evening-primrose, Nachtkerze

Description:

this evening-primrose opened its flowers in 5 minutes, I took several fotos to document it Young roots can be eaten like a vegetable (with a peppery flavor), or the shoots can be eaten as a salad. The whole plant was used to prepare an infusion with astringent and sedative properties. It was considered to be effective in healing asthmatic coughs, gastro-intestinal disorders, whooping cough and as a sedative pain-killer. Poultices containing O. biennis were at one time used to ease bruises and speed wound healing. One of the common names for Oenothera, "Kings cureall", reflects the wide range of healing powers ascribed to this plant, although it should be noted that its efficacy for these purposes has not been demonstrated in clinical trials. The mature seeds contain approximately 7-10% gamma-linolenic acid, a fatty acid. The oil also contains around 70% linoleic acid. The O. biennis seed oil is used to reduce the pains of premenstrual stress syndrome. Gamma-linolenic acid also shows promise against breast cancer. Some side effects of using evening primrose oil are itching, sore throat and severe or extreme gasiness.

Habitat:

my garden

Notes:

© nana puppet