Borage Flowers North Fife.

Borage.(Starflower)

Borage flowers. See how abundant they are.
Borage oil (starflower), extracted from the seed of the blue, star shaped borage flower, is gaining much attention by alternative health practitioners and mainstream medicine alike for its profound medicinal properties. Whereas the oil is getting all the credit, it is actually the oil's active component, gamma linoleic acid (GLA), that has drawn the interest of researchers. The majority of the early studies done on GLA, dating back to the late 1940's, were conducted with the oil of evening primrose. For reasons cited in the title, More "Bang For the Buck", borage seed oil is now thought to be a superior source of GLA compared to evening primrose oil. Other plant forms and food concentrates that contain appreciable amounts of GLA include blackcurrant seed oil and spirulina.
As a result of the powerful regulating effects derived from the conversion of GLA to healthful prostaglandins, borage oil and other GLA supplements have shown to be beneficial in the treatment and relief of many classic and modern day health problems. The diseases of diabetes, asthma, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis are thought to be helped by bringing about a balance in an otherwise faulty fatty acid metabolism. According to a study released in the journal Diabetes Care, supplementation with GLA has shown promise in the reversal of diabetic neuropathy (a condition where the nerves degenerate and symptoms of pain and numbness follow). The study concluded that all diabetics should be considered for a dietary protocol of GLA. Other conditions shown to benefit include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, skin conditions, arthritis, allergies, weight loss, improved behavior of hyperactive children and increased strength of hair and nails. Cited in the book, Super Nutrition For Menopause, written by the renowned nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, is one of the most popular applications of GLA supplementation in the relief of menstrual pain. Sufferers use a maintenance dose up to the seventh day prior to menstruation, then double that dose for the duration of their menstruation. Dietary restrictions of meat, dairy and eggs during this time has also shown to compliment this regiment. Many would agree with Ms. Gittleman's credo in allowing mother nature to cure our ails before relying on synthetic drugs which often come with side effects.
Borage oil can be puchased as a supplement but you can produce your own by cold pressing the seeds. An area of say half a tennis court will yield Litres of pure oil.