Borage Oil Benefits – What Is Borage Oil?

Borage Oil Benefits – What Is Borage Oil?

 Borage Oil Benefits start with the makeup of the borage plant. Borage oil is one of the best sources of gamma linolenic acid, commonly referred to as GLA. GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid that’s converted to prostaglandin E1, a known anti-inflammatory agent. The main uses of borage oil products are on the hair and skin.  As the skin and hair can greatly benefit from borage oil, there are other, maybe more subtle benefits being gained from this magnificent plant.  In this article you will learn how borage oil benefits not only the hair and skin, but also arthritis, nerves, pregnancy, cysts, and weight loss!

Borage Oil for Skin

I first started using Borage Oil to help with my eczema.  I now have very healthy, glowing skin (read the about me page).  Borage Oil is one of the few oils that actually penetrates into the skin to help repair the layers of cells deep within.  Borage oil is one of the best sources of gamma linolenic acid, commonly referred to as GLA.   Herbal medicine advocates recommend GLA for autoimmune disorders, arthritis, eczema, and PMS.  Borage Oil for skin leaves you with well nourished, well moisturized skin.  It also not only relieves the skin of dryness and itchiness, but actually cures it.

A very interesting experiment measured the effects of skin creams containing borage oil for skin that is dry or damaged. Twenty healthy subjects who had either dry (but otherwise normal skin) or had surfactant induced dry, scaly skin were tested over 14 days. Results indicated that the cream containing the borage oil was superior in restoring moisture and smoothness to both the dry skin as well as the surfactant damaged skin.

Borage Oil Hair Benefits

GLA is part of the 6 essential fatty acids and are necessary for brain functioning, human growth, metabolism, reproduction and healthy bones.  Folliculitis is the condition of inflamed hair follicles.  This condition can occur on the scalp and wherever hair grows.  Borage Oil can repair these follicles and keep them functioning well.  More Borage Oil hair benefits are that it combats dry, itchy scalp and replenishes oil.  A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that borage and flaxseed oil reduced redness and flaky skin in 45 women, ages 18-65.  Either applying borage oil directly onto the hair or taking it internally can improve your hair’s health and vitality.