Oh Internet, how we love you, but you do tend to confuse, especially with information about herbs for pregnant women and babies. Over the years, we’ve talked to more than a few anxious and bewildered ladies, all responsibly looking for guidance about what’s safe and what’s not safe for their growing bellies and the baby within.
Its no wonder there’s uncertainty – there’s so much information! An herb’s safety during pregnancy sometimes depends on so many variables. For instance, a dried herb that is infused in an oil and applied to the skin introduces a lesser ratio of the plant’s essences than if that same herb is highly concentrated into an essential oil and ingested. These very different processes lead to very different levels of safety.
Borage (Borago officinalis) is one of the herbs that we frequently receive questions about, specifically the organic Borage seed oil in Belly Oil. Women have read that the raw borage plant contains Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which in high doses are a potential liver toxin. It’s true, and that is surely good sleuthing, mamas! But the organic borage seed oil we use is lab tested to ensure that the Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been removed. We like to be able to put that concern to rest since the benefits of organic Borage seed oil are numerous and wonderful!
Besides being a charming little blue-starred flower, the oil from Borage’s seed is packed with nutrients like vitamins A, D, E and is exceptionally high in gamma-linolenic acid. Those properties make Borage seed oil a lovely organic addition to skin care products because it helps the skin retain moisture and elasticity and reduce scarring. And we hope this helps diligent mamas who are looking for Borage information put their minds to rest!