Borage oil is a health supplement known to have a tremendous impact on the body. It is extracted from the seeds of the Borago officinalis plant that is commonly found across Europe and the United States. Borage oil benefits nourish and improve the overall health of your body.
The other benefits of borage oil are in herbal medicine and are used to treat PMS, cough, depression, and menopausal symptoms. It also has the potency to treat hair and skin problems(1).
100 gms of Borage leaves have the following value
| Energy | 21 Kcal |
| Carbs | 3.06 g |
| Protein | 1.80 g |
| Total Fat | 0.70 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Vitamin A | 4200 IU |
| Vitamin C | 35 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.150 mg |
| Pyridoxine | 0.084 mg |
| Niacin | 0.900 mg |
Borage oil is known for its high gamma linoleic acid (GLA) content. GLA(2) is a type of fatty acid that is commonly found in nuts and seeds in which the body converts to prostaglandin E 1 ( PGE1). It acts like a hormone in the body and helps to reduce inflammation related to skin diseases and cardiovascular diseases. The reason why borage oil has become popular is that it has the highest GLA content as compared with essential oils.
A study conducted in 2014 compared borage oil, fish oil, and even their combination. They found out that the 74 people who were taking 1.8 grams of borage oil or 2.1 grams of fish oil per day had reduced symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
The oil has been known to replace the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for many and avoid the side effects of taking the NSAID(3) drugs very regularly. Thus, borage oil benefits in reducing the painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and swelling in the body.
[Read: Essential Oils for Rheumatoid Arthritis]
Borage Oil for Eczema works well. A study conducted in 2003 consisted of 140 adults and children who suffered from eczema where some took borage oil supplements for 12 weeks, and the rest took placebo capsules. However, there was no difference to be found in both groups.
Borage oil has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit people suffering from atop dermatitis. Borage oil for skin has shown better results compared to the harmful over the counter ointments.
Borage helps to improve the functioning and strength of lungs of people suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and reduces the number of days to spent in ICU.
A study revealed that 146 patients across the USA in teaching hospitals were fed an EPA+ GLA diet and showed significant improvements and shorter stays in the ICU compared to patients following a standard diet. It is recommended that you try the borage oil benefits for improved lung functioning.
Borage oil benefits hair growth and improves the quality of hair. It is one of the richest sources of fatty acids, commonly known as gamma-linoleic acid. It is an anti-inflammatory agent that soothes itching in the scalp and helps in the growth of thick and voluminous hair.
[Read: Magnesium Oil for Hair Growth]
It is recommended that you always do a patch test before using the diluted oil on a more significant part of your skin. If you do notice any redness, irritation, or burning sensation within 48 hours, discontinue immediately.
Any essential oil can cause redness and skin irritation. That is why diluting plays a crucial role. You must also never ingest essential oils.
The side-effects of oral supplements of borage oil are
[Read: Get Rid of Nausea Naturally]
If you have a liver problem or any serious health issue, make sure you talk to your physician before using this oil.
Borage oil benefits seem very promising in the health benefits it has to offer. Its ability to reduce inflammation makes it a preferred choice over harmful steroids that causes irreversible damage to the body over a while. Always talk to a doctor before using it to avoid any problem.
Borage oil Vs. primrose evening oil- The only difference between the two is borage oil contains twice the amount of GLA.