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WHY DO WE LOVE BORAGE SEED OIL?
In short, because borage seed oil makes your skin stronger and healthier! That’s why it’s in all of our body oils, including our Craft Series oils. (In case you’re new to Osmia, we choose all of our ingredients for specific reasons. We don’t just throw stuff in a bottle and hope it works!)
WHERE DOES BORAGE SEED OIL COME FROM?
Borage is an annual, flowering herb that is native to Syria and some other Mediterranean countries. It is also referred to as starflower, and has soft, fuzzy stems and beautiful, periwinkle flowers. It’s a hardy plant, and thrives in gardens all over the world.
WHAT ARE THE SKIN BENEFITS OF BORAGE SEED OIL?
Borage seed oil is very high in gamma linoleic acid, an essential, omega-6 fatty acid that has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin when used topically. A small study of children with eczema showed that daily application of borage seed oil to the skin reduced itching and redness and reduced TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Translation? One of your skin’s main functions is to keep water inside your body, rather than letting water escape. When your skin is inflamed or irritated, it loses more water, and that makes your skin more angry—bad cycle, right? But daily application of borage seed oil supports your skin’s barrier function, so you can keep all your water to yourself!
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF BORAGE SEED OIL?
Some folks take borage seed supplements to help with eczema, but clinical studies of oral borage seed oil for conditions like eczema did not show evidence that oral supplements improve symptoms. Oral supplements are also used for hormonal support for PMS and menopause, and anecdotal evidence supports its efficacy, but no studies show conclusive proof that it works to relieve symptoms. Some evidence exists for borage seed oil supplement usage in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Borage seed oil supplements may help support healthy gums.
FUN FACTS ABOUT BORAGE SEED OIL
- The flowers and leaves are edible, and the blue flowers look especially beautiful in a summer salad!
- Borage attracts honey bees and gives a bit of protection against insects to neighboring plants, so it’s good near your tomato and strawberry plants.
- Borage was used in Ancient Greece to treat depression and melancholy.
- Do not take borage oil orally if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have a liver or bleeding disorder.