Evening primrose oil has been used to supplement the diet of deficient individuals as well as for a variety of inflammatory, hormonal, and immune diseases and includes atopic dermatitis (a skin condition), depression, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, premenstrual syndrome
and menopause, rheumatoid arthritis,
and a variety
of others. Symptoms
of fatty acid deficiency include fatigue, dry skin and hair, cracked nails, arthritis, and dry mucous membranes.