Poison Ivy

Eastern Deciduous Forest and Tall Grass Prairie

Common Name: Evening primrose

Genus and Species Name: Oenothera macrocarpa

Habitat: Wastelands, rocky prairies in the Ozarks, bluffs, and roadsides

Seasons: June-September (Seeds ripen in the fall)

Medicinal uses: The evening primrose seeds are used to make an oil that has anti-pruritic (anti-itch) properties.

Preparation: The seeds are crushed to release the oil. The oil is strained to separate the seed shells. It is then applied to the affected area to relieve itchiness. 

Active Chemical Ingredient: Gamma-Linolenic acid

Chemical Formula: C18H30O2

Chemical Structure:

Resources:

Pruritis (itchy skin). (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://www.askanaturopath.com/faqs/pruritis-itchy-skin/p/445
Oenothera biennis - Natural medicine facts. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://www.naturalmedicinefacts.info/plant/oenothera-biennis.html
Gamma-Linolenic acid. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/gamma-Linolenic_acid#section=Top
Missouri Evening Primrose. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/missouri-evening-primrose
Chevallier, A., & Keifer, D. (2010). Herbal remedies. New York: Metro Books.
Foster, S., & Duke, J. (n.d.). Peterson field guide to medicinal plants and herbs of eastern and central North America (Third ed.).
Google. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1FLDB_enUS524US524&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=where does primrose oil come from