Borage will do a lot of good for your health and beautiful appearance. In the old days it was believed that wine with borage leaves drunk before the battle would give strength and bravery. Although this is not entirely true, today’s medicine proves that borage is actually an extraordinary plant that is worth reaching for.
This inconspicuous plant contains many beneficial substances for the body, including: resins, flavonoids, mucus, tannins, iron, zinc, magnesium, silicon, carotene (vitamin A), vitamin C, zinc, organic acids. The most important ingredient is hidden in borage seeds – it is an oil containing a high concentration of essential fatty acids, called boragogladine. It is he who is a component of many drugs, preparations and cosmetics with the addition of borage.
What is worth using it for:
- When relieving menstrual and menopausal ailments – the fatty acids and magnesium contained in it are great for ailments accompanying the approaching period or those with which we are dealing in the case of menopause. The high level of these substances improves well-being, eliminates mood swings, relieves menstrual pain and breast tenderness, and also has a positive effect on the female hormonal balance.
- For reinforcement – acids contained in the oil (gamma-linolenic and those from the omega group) have a great effect on the immune system. They have a detoxifying effect on the body, removing toxins and strengthening the protective mechanisms. In addition, they protect against bronchial and lung diseases, allergies, throat and eye diseases and asthma.
- In the fight against cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases – borage oil reduces the concentration of the so-called bad cholesterol, and also prevents its deposition in the form of deposits in the walls of blood vessels. It also normalizes the level of good cholesterol, which is used to remove fat cells from the veins and arteries, thus reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. Drinking borage oil regularly also helps fight many diseases: it reduces the inflammatory responses that underlie many of them, such as certain cancers or rheumatoid arthritis. Linolenic acids and omega acids contained in borage have an anti-aggregating effect on blood platelets, i.e. they reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, improve blood flow in blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
- Eliminating “spider veins” – due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it will soothe irritations and inflammations, such as spider veins appearing on the vascular skin, which is particularly vulnerable to the development of rosacea. In drugstores and pharmacies you will find preparations containing borage extract.
- Throat treatment – also taking borage oil orally, in the form of capsules, has a beneficial effect on the stomach, intestines, oral cavity, esophagus and respiratory mucosa. Therefore, it is worth taking it in the treatment of this type of infection – hoarseness, cough, etc.
- For beautiful and smooth skin – without unsaturated fatty acids, our skin would not have enough ceramides, which prevent moisture loss and irritation. That is why borage oil is included in many cosmetics intended for dry, mature skin, prone to irritation, as well as acne, rough and itchy skin. It supports skin renewal, increases its resistance to external factors, elasticity and restores proper hydration.