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Borage is a medium-sized bushy plant that must be regrown every
year.Native to the area around the Mediterranean Sea, the borage
plant is now found in various mild and warm climate zones. Borage
has wrinkled dark green leaves but is covered in soft bristles.
Borage has brilliant blue flowers, which are present for most of the
summer and early fall. The flowers have been used for a blue dye.
Borage oil is derived from the plants seeds.
Borage oil
contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is a fatty acid the body
converts to a material called prostaglandin which has
anti-inflammatory properties that are believed to act as blood
thinner and blood vessel dilator. Borage seed oil is 20 to 26% GLA,
a very rich source of gamma linolenic acid.
While scientific
studies are not completely conclusive many studies indicate that
borage oil can substantially reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
and is useful for people with atopic dermatitis
(eczema).
Dosage and
Administration
For the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis, the amounts of GLA from borage used has been recommended
at 1.4 to 2.8 grams daily for at least two months. 360 mg of GLA
daily from borage oil has been used to treat people with eczema,
although use for this condition have not be substantiated.
Topically, 0.5 ml of borage oil may be applied to areas of seborrhea
daily for two weeks, and then three times a week until the condition
is stable.
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