Borage Oil
(Borago Officinalis)
From the Latin word “burra” (hairy garment)…
Borage, a 2-foot annual herb, originated in the Middle East and is now widely grown. It’s easily identified by its hairy stem, hairy grayish green leaves and pinkish-blue, star-shaped flowers.
Borage flowers have been used to make diuretic teas and emollients, as well as applied externally as a poultice to reduce inflammatory swelling.
Because it’s such a good source of GLA, Borage Oil is available in capsule form for internal use.
This oil is cold pressed from the seeds of the borage plant which has blue, star shaped flowers. This natural oil is a rich source of gamma linolenic acid and has been known to be used in the treatment of eczema and rheumatoid arthritis and in herbal medicine.
In the early 1980s, gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that promotes healthy skin, was identified as a triacylgycerol component in Borage Oil. With gamma linolenic acid levels of 16 to 23 percent, Borage Oil is the richest source of GLA currently available.
Because GLA is rapidly destroyed by light, heat, humidity and oxygen, Borage Oil should be stored in a cool, dark place.
Common Uses of Borage Oil
- Skin Cream
- Lotions
- Hair Care Products
Benefits of Borage Oil
- Promotes healthy skin
- Helps repair skin with sun damage
- Treats eczema and psoriasis
BORAGE OIL TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
TRADE NAME:OBN 448 BG
CHEMICAL NAME:BORAGE OIL
INCI NAME:BORAGO OFFICINALIS
CAS NUMBER:84012-16-8
|
U.M. |
Test Methods |
Range |
|
Physical status at 25C° |
|
Visual |
Liquid |
|
Acid value |
mgKOH/g |
AOCS Cd3a-63 |
<0.5 |
|
Iodine value |
gI2/100 |
AOCS Tg2a-64 |
130 – 140 |
|
Saponification value |
mgKOH/g |
ISO 3657-1988 |
185 – 195 |
|
Peroxide value |
meq02/Kg |
Internal method |
<5 |
|
Color |
Yellow/Red |
Lovibond cell 5” ¼ |
<40Y/4R. |
|
Unsaponifiable matter |
% |
Internal method |
<1 |
|
Density at 20C° |
g/cc |
ASTM D1298-85 |
0.900 – 0.930 |
|
Cloud point |
°C |
AOCS Cc6-25 |
<-10 |
|
Pour point |
°C |
ASTM D97-87 |
<-15 |
Fatty acids composition %(GLC):
|
Myristic acid |
C14:0 |
<0.2 |
|
Palmitic acid |
C16:0 |
9 – 11 |
|
Palmitoleic acid |
C16:1 |
<0.5 |
|
Margaric acid |
C17:0 |
<0.1 |
|
Margareleic acid |
C17:1 |
<0.1 |
|
Stearic acid |
C18:0 |
3 – 5 |
|
Oleic acid |
C18:1 |
14 – 20 |
|
Linoleic acid |
C18:2 |
34 – 43 |
|
Alpha-Linolenic acid |
C18:3 |
<2 |
|
Gamma Linolenic aid |
C18:3 n6 |
18 – 24 |
|
Arachidic acid |
C20:0 |
<0.5 |
|
Eicosanic acid |
C20:1 |
3 – 5 |
|
Behenic acid |
C22:0 |
<0.8 |
|
Erucic acid |
C22:1 |
<4.0 |
|
Tetracosanoic acid |
C24:1 |
<2.5 | |
