Information on Borage Oil

Identification

• Plant oils come from their seeds and borage oil is one of the best natural sources for gamma linolenic acid. This is an essential fatty acid usually called by its shortened name, GLA. Our bodies use GLA to make prostaglandin 1.

Function

• Prostaglandin 1 is important to our physical health because it keeps our skin healthy and also prevents it from becoming damaged. Prostaglandin 1 also works as a powerful natural anti-inflammatory. Products containing borage oil that protect our skin come as creams and ointments. Borage oil can also be found in mixtures that can be swallowed.

Significance

• Skin conditions like exzema and atopic dermatis cause the skin to become dry, flaky, red and inflamed. Products containing borage oil can be safe remedies for these and other similar conditions. Make sure that your doctor is aware if you use over-the-counter preparations containing borage oil.

Expert Insight

• Dr. Dennis T. Sepp, writing for "Fats For Health" describes research about the use of borage oil to treat cradle cap in babies. This condition is the common name for "severe infantile seborrheic dermatitis." The research showed that if a baby was treated with borage oil regularly for seven months, the cradle cap disappeared and did not come back. If the treatment stopped earlier, the baby would get the cradle cap again.

History

• Ancient Greeks used borage leaves as a medicinal plant according to the author, Pliny. He prescribed it to cure depression. Medieval herbalists also used the leaves to provide a person with courage but they did not know about borage oil. The leaves and stems actually taste like cucumbers. While the leaves may have some benefit, as do the flowers, in cooking and as a tea, the real medicinal benefit of the plant is found in the oil which comes from the seeds.