Herbal Medicines in Pregnancy and Lactation : An Evidence-based ...

110 Herbal medicinesEVENING PRIMROSEOenothera biennisSynonyms/common names/related compounds 1EPO, fever plant, huile d’onagre, king’s cureall, night willow-herb, primrose,scabish, sun dropIndicationsAtopic dermatitis and eczema: 2–5Diabetic peripheral neuropathy: 6Diabetes: 7Rheumatoid arthritis: 8Breast cysts: 9Pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia: 10–12Raynaud’s phenomenon: 13Post-viral fatigue syndrome: 14Breast cancer (with tamoxifen): 15Breast pain (mastalgia): 16Multiple sclerosis: 17Pre-menstrual syndrome: 18Evidence grade AEvidence grade B1Evidence grade B1Evidence grade B2Evidence grade B2Evidence grade B2Evidence grade B2Evidence grade B2Evidence grade B2Evidence grade CEvidence grade CEvidence grade EPregnancyMinimal risk: 10–12,19,20Evidence level 1aA randomized controlled trial was conducted on the effects of evening primroseoil (EPO) supplementation of vasodilatory prostacyclin (PGI2) and vasoconstrictorthromboxane A2 in 18 preeclamptic women between 31 and 26weeks of gestation. 19 The authors did not report any adverse effects on thewomen, the pregnancy outcome, and any malformations in the newborns. 19Another study conducted on prostaglandin pathways in women withpreeclampsia did not report any risk in pregnancy associated with EPO. 20A placebo-controlled, partially double-blinded, clinical trial on the effects ofEPO and fish oil in preventing preeclampsia of pregnancy did not report any