College of Naturopathic Medicine - TOP 5 BENEFITS OF BORAGE - HERB SPOTLIGHT

Short Summary

Main recommendation: Borage (Borago officinalis, also called star flower) is presented, according to the speaker, as an herb with five main reported health benefits, which the speaker attributes partly to its anti-inflammatory properties. The video covers hormonal balance and PMS, digestion and IBS, mouth and gum health, skin care, and asthma symptoms.

Key Points

• The five benefits promised by the title:
  1. Hormonal balance: the speaker says borage can help treat hormonal imbalances, reduce PMS symptoms, regulate the menstrual cycle, and may benefit women approaching menopause.
  2. Digestive support: the speaker says borage soothes stomach muscles, may help with IBS, promotes digestion, and can have a mild laxative effect.
  3. Oral health: the speaker says borage can be used as a mouthwash to help kill bacteria in the mouth and throat, aiding mouth sores and bleeding gums.
  4. Skin care: the speaker says borage may help with wounds, infections, rashes, itching, and insect bites.
  5. Asthma support: the speaker cites studies suggesting borage extract may reduce airway inflammation and swelling.
• The plant is described as frequently found in gardens, with vivid blue, star-shaped flowers.

Details Worth Noting

• Concrete instructions:
  • Mouthwash: use borage as a mouthwash to help kill bacteria in the mouth and throat, for mouth sores and bleeding gums.
  • Skin wash: borage tea can be used as a skin wash.
  • Compress: the borage plant itself can be applied to the skin as a compress for wounds.
  • Rashes and bites: the same application may reduce itching and inflammation from rashes or insect bites.
• The video does not give dosages, frequencies, or preparation amounts for these uses.
• The asthma evidence cited: in one study, consuming capsules containing borage oil for three weeks decreased inflammation levels in 37 people with mild asthma.
• The video describes borage as having anti-inflammatory properties, and links that property to several of the benefits listed.
• The video presents these as benefits and does not mention safety cautions, interactions, or who should avoid borage.

Bottom Line

Borage is presented as a versatile herb with reported benefits for hormones, digestion, oral health, skin, and asthma, though the video offers limited dosing guidance and only one cited study. Anyone considering it for a health condition should consult a qualified healthcare professional.