The borage plant has been used for hundreds of years as a medicine in its native Europe. The small, purple star-shaped flowers are known for their calming and soothing effect. However, in 1985, the United States began mass-producing borage plants for the seed oil rather than the flower (see References). The seed oil is high in the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid, a nutrient that is important for a healthy, well-functioning body.
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Gamma Linolenic Acid
Borage seed oil is a rich natural source of gamma linolenic acid. Gamma linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid that is found mostly is in vegetable oils. Borage seed oil is 24 percent gamma linolenic acid, higher than other natural sources of this nutrient. Essential fatty acids, including gamma linolenic acid, are nutrients that are essential for the body; however, the body does not make essential fatty acids so they must be consumed in the diet. (See References.)
Why Borage Oil?
There are healthful fats and unhealthful fats, and the modern diet tends to be abundant in unhealthful fats. According to Artur Klimaszewski, M.D., the abundance of unhealthful fats consumed in the diet leads to an inability to regulate inflammation, blood clotting and blood pressure (see References). By adding healthful fats such as borage seed oil, you can greatly improve your health, specifically in these areas.
Health Benefits of Borage Seed Oil
Borage seed oil can help ease the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. It can also help in the regulation and prevention of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure (see References).
Skin Benefits of Borage Seed Oil
Gamma linolenic acid, found in abundance in borage seed oil, is an essential nutrient. In the body, gamma linolenic acid is converted into prostaglandinl. Prostaglandinl helps heal inflammation of the skin and promotes skin health. To achieve skin benefits from borage seed oil, add it to your diet as a supplement and rub it directly onto your skin. Borage seed oil can aid in healing symptoms of dry and cracked skin, eczema and psoriasis (see References).
Considerations
Taking borage seed oil as a dietary supplement provides important essential fatty acids. Borage seeds, however, contain minor amounts of a liver toxin, although the toxin is not found in the seed oil. Taking up to 12 g of borage seed oil a day is generally considered safe. Very high quantities can cause upset stomach (see References).
