Strelitzia reginae vs Evening Primrose

South African ornamental; root and stem used in Zulu folk medicine for venereal diseases and to ease childbirth.

Evening primrose is a wildflower native to North America whose seed oil is a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 essential fatty acid. The oil has been widely used since the 1980s for women's health conditions and skin disorders. It plays an important role in prostaglandin synthesis and inflammatory regulation.

flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), Linoleic acid, Beta-sitosterol, Polyphenols, Vitamin E

venereal diseases, childbirth, skin conditions, fever

Women's health support, Skin conditions, Breast pain treatment, Anti-inflammatory, PMS remedy

traditional antimicrobial, emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory

Eczema and dermatitis, PMS breast pain (mastalgia), Diabetic neuropathy, Rheumatoid arthritis, Menopausal symptoms

Root decoction 5-10g 2x/day

2-8g (equivalent to 240-960mg GLA) daily in divided doses

pregnancy (emmenagogue), liver disease

Bleeding disorders, Seizure disorders, Pre-surgery, Schizophrenia (phenothiazine medications)

GI upset

GI upset, Headache, Nausea, Soft stool, Allergic reactions