Borage Oil

Borage oil is basically derived from the seeds of the borage plant (borago officinalis), which is a huge plant with blue color, star shaped flowers that is mostly found in parts of Europe and North Africa and is also naturalized in many places in North America.

All parts of the borage plant, from its stubbly stems to its blue star shaped blooms, have been used in many parts of the world for over centuries for its healing qualities.  Aside from that, the borage plant is also used as a flavoring for foods.  In fact, as early as the 1600s, it is reported that most Europeans blended the borage leaves and flowers into a wine that was reputed for reliving boredom and dispelling sadness.   

However, the modern science has only found tidbits of evidence to support the claim that the herb itself has any therapeutic effects, many findings emerged that the borage oil that comes from the seed of the plant appear to aid in healing a number of conditions.  From then on, the borage oil is said to be useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis as well as sorts of menstrual problems. 

Numerous researches have found out that borage oil, just like the evening primrose oil and black currant seed oil, contains a powerful fatty acid known as gamma linolenic acid or GLA which contributes a large part in the medicinal effects of the borage oil.  It is then considered that the borage oil owes its healing capabilities to the presence of such essential fatty acid which is also an omega-6 fatty acid. But unlike the evening primrose oil, the borage oil boasts more than twice as much GLA. 

The said GLA in the borage oil is then processed for great results.  Once the process is done, the GLA is then transformed into hormone-like substance that has either the ability to block inflammation or promote it.  In the borage oil, the GLA is said to comfort inflammation, which then makes it the best solution for arthritis and some other inflammatory conditions.

Borage oil is more specifically used to lessen the aches and pains of rheumatoid arthritis, and it gives relief to the discomforts that are caused by PMS, endometriosis, and fibrocystic breasts for the reason that the borage oil blocks the production of inflammatory substances known as prostaglandins which are greatly emitted during menstruation.  With that, the borage oil then reduces some of the breast tenderness that most women fell before their menstrual periods and so it calms the endometriosis-related inflammation.

Along with that, the borage oil is helpful for reducing the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, as well as it clears up acne and rosacea.  It also alleviate inflammation related with lupus, prevent nerve damage due to diabetes, fight damage from multiple sclerosis, ease cough, soothe throat disorders, treat Alzheimer’s-related memory deficiencies, reduce stress and high blood pressures, nourish nails, scalp, and hair, treat gout, and counter impotence and female infertility.

With its multiple uses and functions, borage oil is now popular in the form of softgel, oil, and capsule.  Many experts suggested that taking the borage oil products with food may boost GLA absorption and lessen the unpleasant side effects.  But the careful inspection of the dosage information contained in the label for borage oil still remains the best step to take before taking the supplement.