by Leesha Chamberlain | April 28, 2014
My Skin Experience and the Basics of Borage Oil
While I can’t claim numerous years of natural living and varied use of a number of different natural remedies, I can attest to the fact that even simple lifestyle changes offer a profound effect. You see, my transition toward natural living and medicine actually just started within the past few years. But, within that time I’ve experienced relief from a number of issues that I had been dealing with since I was young – namely skin issues. And, this was how I discovered borage oil is nature's miracle skin cure.
The Skin “Crud”
Since I was a child, I periodically (more regularly than not) experienced a pervasive skin condition that my family lovingly (I’m sure of it) called the “crud.” I have always had what one could call sensitive skin, but in periods of higher stress, changes of the season, and really any time my skin decided it wasn’t happy, I would break out with the same skin plague.
I’m sure many of you can relate. My skin would become inflamed, itchy, red, and just down right irritated. The condition never seemed to occur in the exact same place nor did it result from the same precipitators, but it would always come and always appear as the same red, scaly, patchy, seepy skin disorder.
After many doctor’s visits and a variety of different prescriptions and suggestions, it was decided -- no one knew what to do for me. Many suggested treating the condition like eczema or dermatitis. I even had a doctor suggest that it was some form of poison ivy or other allergic reaction, and one who wanted to photograph it for use in a medical journal of undiagnosed conditions. (At that point in my life I couldn’t handle the unresolved condition let alone being considered a medical anomaly.)
Borage Oil's Miracle Skin Cure
Like so many others who experience “incurable” or “unexplained” conditions, I was at my wits end and fed up with traditional medicine. So, I began my own search. After visiting a local health foods store, I was still skeptical. But, I had tried everything else, so I decided to take the advice of the naturalist and try a product he suggested called borage oil. Little did I know I would come to view the product as liquid gold – at least in terms of relieving my skin issues!
It seemed that the oil offered almost immediate relief to my skin and my unidentified, untreatable condition. Within just a few days, the inflammation had receded and the rough patches that I had become so accustomed to were softening. I could not believe that after trying so many other treatments with no results that something as simple as putting a little oil on my skin would work, but it sure did!
As I was no newcomer to pseudo-relief/treatment, I still viewed the results of the borage oil with some skepticism. But, when the painful itching, irritation, and inflammation were completely gone within just two weeks, I became a believer. (I had previously dealt with the condition persisting for several months at a time.) To maintain the benefits of the oil without daily applications of oil, I decided to use borage oil capsules and have never had healthier skin in my life.
The Magic of the Mix
Ok, so you’ll have to bear with me. I was so impressed with the benefits and results of borage oil for treating my skin condition that for some period of time, I think I literally considered it a bit of a magic treatment. But really, borage oil is an effective treatment for a number of reasons as it plays a key role in the general health of the skin.
Our skin requires a unique combination of linoleic acid and gamma-linoleic acid to produce prostaglandin 1 or PG1. This combination forms the single molecule that is most responsible for maintaining healthy skin. This PG1 molecule prevents skin inflammation, regulates the water or moisture level of the skin, and prevents injury of the skin. Research suggests that individuals with persistent skin conditions possess an increase in the levels of linoleic acid paired with a distinct decrease in gamma-linoleic acid.
This is where the importance of borage oil lies in treating skin conditions and other disorders. A relatively unique compound, borage oil contains gamma-linoleic acid and functions to deliver these compounds directly to the skin and body. This unique composition and delivery technique helps maintain the appropriate enzymatic activity in the skin and, in turn, maintains normal levels of the all-important prostaglandin 1.
Background on Borage
I understand that if you are a skeptic (like I was) or rather an individual who is accustomed to being well-informed about any and all products you may potentially use on your skin or in your body, you likely need a little more background on the product. The herb is a native to Syria and is now grown throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean. While the flowers and leaves of the plant may be eaten, the seeds are really where the health benefits are concentrated. The seeds are pressed to release the renowned product – borage oil – and are considered to have extremely high concentrations of gamma-linoleic acid.
If you are not a chronic skin condition sufferer, like me, then you may be wondering if borage oil has any other benefits. It does; however, most of those benefits are considered secondary to its primary use in treating skin issues. As borage is an effective anti-inflammatory, it is also often used in treating conditions such as gum disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and premenstrual syndrome.
Take a Bite Out of Gum Disease and Open Airways, Too
You didn’t know you could do that, right? While most treatments of gum disease center on adequate brushing techniques and even prescription medications, a simpler treatment option is chewing gum – gum containing borage oil, of course. Again, in the case of gum disease, the gamma-linoleic acid functions to inhibit inflammation and heal the gums. If you’re not much of a gum chewer, though, a borage oil supplement is just as effective.
Another one of the most touted applications of borage oil is for treating asthma. The fatty acid gamma-linoleic acid is an effective treatment for the inflammation associated with the condition and functions to soothe and heal the air passageways. The fatty acid engages the body’s natural production of anti-inflammatory agents and naturally relieves the condition and other side effects.
Byproducts of Borage Oil
As beneficial as any supplement is, there are always potential side effects. Many of the side effects of borage oil are mild and result solely from taking the oil in capsule form. Intestinal issues including diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, indigestion, and nausea are common. I always take supplements with food to avoid stomach issues and have never experienced any from my daily supplement of borage oil. Additionally, the oil has the potential to thin the blood, particularly if taken in conjunction with other medications. I don’t suggest individuals with bleeding disorders or women who are pregnant experiment with this treatment, even though it is a natural option.
A “Borage” of Bonuses
I have experienced the benefits of borage oil firsthand and can confirm to the efficacy of the oil. Even if you don’t have a skin condition or other health disorder, though, borage oil presents an array of benefits that I would suggest considering.
-Relieving skin inflammation
-Balancing water levels in the skin and body
-Reducing inflammation throughout the body
-Treating chest congestion
-Combating depression
-Managing premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms
Considering those benefits, I suggest even that even typically healthy individuals give borage oil a try. I consider it my miracle supplement, and you just might too.
References
Healthline. Borage seed oil (Borago officinalis).
Sepp, D. T., Borage – A little known secret for maintaining healthy skin.
About the Author
Leesha Chamberlain, a teacher by trade, is an avid Earth Clinic writer and health enthusiast. Her aim is to find natural remedies that work for her and that she can share with others. She has been serving as a freelance writer for the past 6 years and has recently turned that passion toward writing in the health sector. With an emphasis on natural, toxin-free living, she has discovered that health is best achieved with balance through a holistic approach and hopes that you can too.
