Primrose oil is a valuable plant-based oil that is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose plant (Oenothera biennis). It has gained popularity over the years thanks to its high concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid acclaimed for its anti-inflammatory effects. While primrose oil supplements are readily available in health stores, you can also easily make your own oil at home.
DIY primrose oil is simple and economical to produce. It allows you to control the entire process from seed harvest to oil extraction. Homemade primrose oil also lets you avoid any unwanted additives or preservatives found in commercial products. If you have access to evening primrose plants, follow these easy steps to make your own primrose oil.
Ingredients and Equipment Needed
To produce primrose oil at home, you will need the following:
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Evening primrose seeds – The seeds contain the valuable oil. You’ll need about 4 cups of seeds.
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Carrier oil – A neutral oil like grapeseed or olive to help extract the primrose oil.
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Cheesecloth – To strain the finished primrose oil.
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Glass jar – For storing the finished oil
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Mortar and pestle or coffee grinder – For crushing the seeds
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Double boiler – For gently heating the oil infusion.
Step-by-Step Process
Follow these simple steps for making your own high quality primrose oil at home:
1. Harvest and Dry the Seeds
You can either grow your own evening primroses and collect the seeds when ripe or purchase organic seeds. Use seeds from ripe, mature seed pods in mid to late summer. Dry the seeds completely for 2-3 days before use. Proper drying prevents mold growth during oil extraction.
2. Grind the Seeds into Powder
Grind the dried seeds into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle, coffee grinder or food processor. Make sure there are no large pieces remaining after grinding. The finer the powder, the better for oil extraction.
3. Combine Powder with Carrier Oil
Transfer the primrose powder to a double boiler. Add a neutral carrier oil like grapeseed or light olive oil. Use a 1:4 ratio of powder to oil. The oil helps efficiently extract the primrose oil from the seed powder.
4. Heat Infuse the Mixture
Gently heat the seed-oil mixture at 100°F to 115°F for 4-6 hours. Stir the mixture regularly. The low steady warm temperature allows the oils to be drawn out without losing nutrients.
5. Strain Out the Primrose Oil
Once done infusing, allow the mixture to cool then strain it through cheesecloth to separate the finished oil from the powder. Press the cheesecloth to extract all the oil.
6. Transfer Oil to an Airtight Container
Pour the fresh primrose oil into a sterile, dark glass bottle with an airtight lid. Store in a cool, dark place like the fridge and use within a year.
Tips for Making Great Homemade Primrose Oil
Follow these tips to get the highest quality oil from your primrose seeds:
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Grind seeds into a super fine powder for maximum oil extraction.
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Use a light, neutral oil as your carrier oil base.
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Maintain very low heat when infusing – 100°F to 115°F.
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Stir the oil infusion frequently while heating.
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Press/squeeze cheesecloth well so no oil goes to waste.
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Ensure seeds are totally dry before grinding to avoid mold.
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Store in an airtight, dark glass bottle in a cool place.
Benefits and Uses of Homemade Primrose Oil
Primrose oil is rich in essential fatty acids like GLA and is used for various health and therapeutic purposes:
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Skin Health – Soothes eczema, acne, rashes. Hydrates and repairs skin.
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Women’s Health – Eases PMS and menopause symptoms. Promotes hormonal balance.
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Anti-Inflammatory – Reduces swelling and inflammation in joints and tissues.
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Cardiovascular Health – Supports healthy cholesterol levels already in normal range.
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Nervous System – Helps repair nerve damage and eases neuropathy.
Primrose oil can be taken as a supplement, applied topically, or used to make infused body care products like lotions. The key is using a high quality oil made carefully from fresh seeds. With the right technique, homemade primrose oil rivals premium store-bought brands.
Troubleshooting Homemade Primrose Oil
Here are some common issues and solutions for DIY primrose oil:
Problem: Oil has strong unpleasant smell
Solution: Seeds weren’t dried properly before infusing. Ensure seeds are crisp dry.
Problem: Oil has floating particles
Solution: Strain mixture through very fine cheesecloth or filter to remove all sediment.
Problem: Oil yield is low
Solution: Grind seeds into finer powder before infusing to maximize extraction.
Problem: Oil smells rancid
Solution: Store oil in cool, dark place in airtight container and use within a year.
Problem: Oil is clumpy
Solution: Shake bottle regularly to maintain consistency. Warm slightly to reliquify.
With the right seeds, equipment, and technique, making your own primrose oil at home is easy, affordable and fulfilling. In just a few simple steps, you can produce a high quality artisanal oil tailored to your specific needs.
Evening Primrose Oil Extraction Method
GLA, a highly volatile substance, is very sensitive to oxidation when exposed to the air, which means that the method by which the evening primrose oil is processed can substantially alter its biological activity as well as its stability. ABC Machinery has invented a unique yet gentle extraction procedure specially for evening primrose oil extraction, called Low Temperature Sub-critical Solvent Extraction. This extraction method prevents any change of the condition between extracted evening primrose oil and the original substance found in the evening primrose seed. In a word, this method can perfectly protect the natural components of evening primrose oil and make it a pure, premium quality extract.
Evening Primrose Oil Extraction Equipment for Sub-critical Solvent Extraction Method
Lots of other evening primrose oils are obtained through “cold-pressing” extraction method which requires to press the evening primrose plant seeds by high pressure. In fact, this process is exclusively suitable for materials containing between 40-50 percent oil. Otherwise, it has a negative outcome if used on materials with moderate oil percentage amount of between 20–25 percent, just like the evening primrose. Although the raw material is not heated for squeezing, but the oil from compression is at around 150°C, which is very “unhealthy”. In other words, the quality of oil obtained by this method is very poor and worsens with exposure to air. Whats worse, most oils must be processed being used means, which deprived off some of its minor yet valuable components, at the same time, increase the risk of oxidation. ABC Machinerys unique extraction method maintains more than just the authenticity of the evening primrose oil. The end product, Efamol Pure Evening Primrose Oil, comes with four times as many antioxidants (such as phospholipids, vitamin E, and sterols) compared to refined and pressed alternatives.
Efamol Evening Primrose Oil Benefits & Uses
Efamol evening primrose oil is extracted from seeds of evening primrose plant (such as, oenothera biennis L. and onagraceae). It is a very useful supplement to the diet due to its numerous health benefits. It is used in the treatment of cardiovascular ailments, hypertension, bone related problems, such as osteoporosis and arthritis, skin issues, such as eczema and psoriasis amongst other health problems. Naturalists believe it is helpful in managing cancer as well. More researches are being carried out to substantiate these findings.
Evening Primrose Oil Uses
The secret behind the benefits of efamol evening primrose oil is its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Although it has only 9% Gamma-Linoleic Acid (GLA), the value is better than most plants that contain none. The polyunsaturated fatty acids make this oil a good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement. This is especially important for those with arthritis and cardiovascular diseases. Its antioxidant is great for good skin and detoxifying the body. Therefore, evening primrose oil is definitely a plus in all medicine cabinets. Besides, evening primrose oil is also an important dietary source in food industry and ingredients for soaps and cosmetics in manufacturing industry.
DIY Rose Oil. How to make it with Evening Primrose Oil Recipe
FAQ
How do you extract oil from evening primrose?
A kind of extracting method of Oenothera oil, the method comprises the following steps: (1) evening primrose seed adds water and is mixed to get mixed solution after cleaning, mechanical disintegration, mixed solution is carried out to ultrasonication pre-treatment with ultrasonic cell disruption instrument, described …
How is primrose oil made?
Evening primrose oil is generally obtained by mechanical pressing, followed by extraction with hexane. GLA supplementation studies in humans and rodents have shown that the synthesis of anti-inflammatory PGE1, but not proinflammatory PGE2, was selectively elevated (Fan and Chapkin, 1998).
How to make evening primrose oil from flowers?
Making your own evening primrose oil
Press the flowers down to ensure that no air is trapped in the oil and then let it sit in the oil for at least two weeks, shaking the jar lightly every day. It is advisable to use this homemade oil for topical applications only to the skin and hair.