Curated by Maria Rita Insolera, Naturopath
The essential oil of borage, with its anti-allergic and moisturizing action, is rich in omega 6 and is useful for the health of the skin, the reproductive system and the cardiovascular system. Let's find out better.
Properties of the essential oil of Borage
The essential oil of Borage is rich in omega-6 which is essential to increase the immune defenses against allergies and infections, even chronic. It also helps keep the skin intact, making it soft and hydrated.
The essential borage oil also contains substances called phytosterols that improve the skin's barrier function, boost microcirculation, slow down skin aging and protect against the action of the sun's harmful rays.
The essential oil of borage is rich in vitamin E which is an excellent natural antioxidant, able to counteract the action of free radicals and protect against skin aging. The essential oil of Borage is beneficial for the following devices:
- Skin : thanks to its astringent properties, it regulates sebaceous secretion and thanks to antioxidants has a remarkable anti-wrinkle action.
- Reproductive system : thanks to the presence of phytoestrogens, it regulates the hormones responsible for the typical moodiness of the premenstrual syndrome such as estrogen, progesterone and prolactin.
- Cardiovascular system : inhibits thrombosis favoring dilation of blood vessels and prevents cholesterol synthesis.
- Anti-inflammatory action : reduces the inflammatory process.
- Nervous system : acts on neuronal transmission by acting on behavior limiting nervousness.
- Immune system : activates T lymphocytes by stimulating the immune system.
- Liver system : prevents liver injury in people who abuse alcohol.
- Salivary and lacrimal glands : regulates salivary and lacrimal secretions.
- Metabolism : strengthens the action of insulin and prevents the proliferation of abnormal cells.
- Respiratory system : it is an expectorant in case of bronchitis.
Description of the plant
Borage ( Borago officinalis ) is an annual herbaceous plant, 30 to 60 cm high.
It has a robust stem covered with whitish and pungent hairs. The leaves are alternate, wrinkled and of an intense green color, covered by silver hair, 10-15 cm long.
The flowers are pendulous with a star-shaped corolla of blue color and gathered in bunches at the ends of the branches. The fruits are achenes that contain blackish wrinkled seeds when ripe.
You can learn more about the properties and use of borage mother tincture
Use of borage essential oil
The essential oil of borage finds use both for internal use and for external use.
For internal use, borage oil is used in the treatment of hormonal imbalances as it has a normalizing function.
For external use, however, it is used in skin care, especially when it is exposed to sunlight that can cause damage due to free radicals.
The young borage leaves are variously used in the kitchen, after cooking, to eliminate the hair.
Contraindications of the essential oil of Borage
The use of borage oil is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to the active ingredient of the plant. Furthermore it is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding .
Background
The Borage plant is native to the East, and is widespread in most of Europe and Central America. The name derives from the Latin borra (rough wool fabric), due to the hair that covers the leaves.
Others derive it from the Arabic abu araq (= father of sweat), through the medieval Latin borrago, perhaps due to the plant 's sweat properties .
