Excessive dryness, allergies, insect bites or skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea can irritate your skin. It may start to itch, flake, redden or, in extreme cases, crack and bleed. A study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" ("BJN") indicated that borage oil may be able to treat skin irritations. While this study had positive results, there is still a need for more studies on the effectiveness of this supplement, and it can cause adverse reactions.
Identification
The borage plant is native to Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia, however, it’s also cultivated in America, according to "Naturopathy Digest." Borage is easily identifiable by its large blue, star-shaped flowers. It also has seeds that produce oil rich in omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids (EFAs).
Essential Fatty Acids and Skin
Your skin naturally contains several essential fatty acids that play key roles in cell structure and turnover, hydration, sun protection and protection against certain cancers. While fatty fish are renowned for their EFA content, there are also several vegetable sources, such as flaxseed and borage oils. The main fatty acid in borage oil is gamma linolenic acid (GLA). When GLA is metabolized it helps to improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation.
Effectiveness
In the "BJN" study, 45 healthy, non-smoking women between ages 18 and 65 were separated into two groups. For 12 weeks, one group took either flaxseed or borage oil, the other took a fatty acid placebo. Their skin was irritated using nicotinate, a substance that causes inflammation. The researchers monitored changes in the skin redness and blood flow of the participants. Borage and flaxseed oil was able to decrease skin redness, blood flow and water loss from the skin. It also significantly improved scaling and roughness on the skin.
Dosage
You can take borage oil orally or topically. It’s available in supplement form as gels or capsules, and in oil form. The total daily dose used in the "BJN" study was 2.2 grams—with two capsules taken in the morning and two in the evening. However, "Naturopathy Digest" states that most studies on borage oil feature doses between 360 milligrams and 2.8 grams per day.
Side Effects
High doses of borage oil may cause headaches, gastrointestinal problems and nausea. Also, borage seeds have pyrrolizidine alkaloids—substances that can harm your liver—but, the UMHS points out that these alkaloids do not appear to be present in the oil. If you are taking medication or any other herbal remedy, you should consult a naturopath or family doctor before taking borage oil for skin irritations.
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