Borage (Borago officinalis) also known as starflower originated in the Mediterranean area. It grows up to 2 ft tall with fuzzy leaves, stems and blue drooping star shaped flowers. Today it’s naturalized throughout Europe and the United States.
Each stunning blue flower blooms for only one day, but multiple flowers open continuously during the summer months, making it a rich nectar and pollen source for honeybees and other pollinators. It’s a wonderful companion plant for tomatoes, cabbage, strawberries and squash, helping to reduce tomato hornworm and cabbage worm damage.
Borage Flowers
The flowers have important properties that assist your body in recovering from illness. The flowers are used in an infusion and taken throughout the day. They are a diuretic, blood purifier and promotes perspiration.
Because the plant promotes the production of sweat, impurities and the metabolic waste flow inside the blood are eliminated. As a diuretic, it increases urine production and eliminates urea, uric acid and other waste substances.
Both the leaves and flowers of the plant are edible and commonly used as a garnish, dried herb or vegetable in a variety of drinks and dishes. The flower has an antioxidant effect and is used for fever, cough and depression.
Cooked borage eaten with the broth is recommended for:
- Viral infections such as flu and eruptions associated with fever. Borage helps eradicate blood impurities through sweat and urine, provides mineral salts, aids rehydration, and helps decrease fever.
- Upper respiratory infections, such as pharyngitis, bronchitis, and colds. It soothes the mucous membranes and helps expectoration.
- Renal disorders such as nephritis, kidney stones), gout, arthritis and obesity because of its diuretic and purifying actions.
Borage Seed Oil Benefits
This nutrient dense oil is cold pressed from the seeds and is highly prized for its medicinal properties. The active component of borage oil is an essential fatty acid named gamma linolenic acid (GLA). It’s the richest known source of GLA which is an omega-6 fatty acid that has been shown to decrease inflammation.
Borage oil also has significant amounts of stearic acid, eicosenoic acid, palmitic acid, nervonic acid and erucic acid.
Borage oil is helpful for autoimmune disorders, high blood pressure, arthritis, eczema, stress, obesity and pre-menstrual stress to name a few.
Relieves Inflammation
Borage possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties, this seed oil protects against oxidative cell damage, which could contribute to inflammation. The oil helps reduce inflammation that causes swelling, redness and pain.
Lowers Arthritis Symptoms
RA is an inflammatory autoimmune disease and GLA can have a positive effect on RA’s symptoms. GLA is an anti-inflammatory and helps regulate your immune system so it doesn’t attack parts of the body by mistake.
Because borage oil is rich in GLA, it’s able to assist your body in decreasing joint pain and swelling. There’s been studies conducted that shows some people notice a decrease in joint pain, swelling and severity of tenderness following as little as six weeks of regular borage oil treatment.
Treats Respiratory Problems
Borage oil capsules help speed up the healing time of coughs, colds or flu and stop respiratory symptoms from worsening. The capsules also reduce the amount of time spent in the hospital or taking medications. The plant contains mucilage that acts as an expectorant to produce phlegm in people with respiratory issues and coughs.
Relieves Pain
Borage oil is very useful for pain relief, especially for breast pain, chronic pain and soreness associated with injuries or surgeries. This oil stimulates the release of hormones which impact the pain receptors in your body, easing tension and relieving chronic pain conditions.
Omega-6 fatty acids are found in high levels in borage oil. The fatty acids are able to control prostaglandin production, which regulates inflammation throughout your body.
Prevents Heart Disease
Borage seed oil has a high level of Omega-6 fatty acids and the highest known level of GLA. This oil is extremely good for heart health. It protects against atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. Borage oil is an anticoagulant and a hypotensive oil that helps balance cholesterol levels.
Skin Care
This seed oil is very hydrating to your skin, it promotes the health of the skin barrier. The oil does this by reducing water loss through replenishing the lipid content of the epidermis. Borage oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help promote wound healing and repair your skin’s natural barrier.
It’s particularly beneficial for people with aggravated, inflamed skin. The healthy omega fats and antioxidants of borage oil, helps improve inflammatory skin issues like acne, rosacea and eczema.
Relieves PMS Symptoms
Borage oil is very popular with women who experience painful periods by stimulating the adrenal glands. It positively affects the hormonal balance, helping relieve breast tenderness, painful cramps, mood swings and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.
Borage oil products should not be used unless they are certified free of unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (UPAs) such as amabiline, which can damage the liver.
