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Borage Powder

Also known as: Borage, starflower, Borage powder, Borage seed oil, Borago officinalis

Overview

Borage powder is derived from the dried parts of the Borago officinalis plant, also known as borage or starflower. While the powder form exists, the seeds are particularly rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, which is the primary active component and is often extracted as borage seed oil for supplemental use. Traditionally, borage has been used for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly explored for inflammatory conditions such as eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, and sometimes for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. The primary mechanism involves GLA's metabolism into anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. Research on borage, particularly borage oil, is moderate, with several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews available. However, the quality of evidence is mixed, with some studies showing no significant benefit, while others suggest mild improvements in inflammation-related conditions. It is important to note that borage oil is more extensively studied than borage powder.

Benefits

The evidence for borage's benefits is mixed and often inconclusive. For eczema, a Cochrane systematic review found no significant improvement in global eczema symptoms with borage oil compared to placebo, highlighting limitations in data pooling and outcome reporting. While some studies suggest potential benefits for rheumatoid arthritis, with doses of 4.5-7.2 g/day of borage seed oil showing some symptom improvement, high-quality randomized controlled trials with clear effect sizes are limited. A systematic review on PMS suggested potential benefits for herbal and nutritional supplements, but borage was not singled out with strong evidence. Overall, borage's primary benefit is its potential mild anti-inflammatory effect due to its GLA content, which may modulate inflammatory pathways. Any reported benefits are typically seen in adults with inflammatory skin diseases or arthritis, with insufficient evidence for other populations or conditions. Effect sizes are generally not well-established, and for eczema, no statistically significant improvement has been demonstrated.

How it works

Borage's primary mechanism of action stems from its gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content. Once ingested, GLA is converted in the body to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). DGLA serves as a precursor to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, specifically series 1 prostaglandins. This conversion process modulates inflammatory pathways within the body, potentially leading to a reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the synthesis of other inflammatory mediators. Borage interacts with body systems by influencing the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways, which are crucial in the synthesis of eicosanoids, a group of signaling molecules derived from fatty acids that play a significant role in inflammation. GLA from borage oil is generally well absorbed orally, though the bioavailability of GLA from borage powder may vary depending on its preparation.

Side effects

Borage is generally considered safe when used appropriately, with borage oil being more commonly studied than the powder form. Common side effects, occurring in over 5% of users, include mild gastrointestinal upset and headache. Uncommon side effects, affecting 1-5% of users, may involve allergic reactions. A rare but significant concern, occurring in less than 1% of cases, is potential hepatotoxicity due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). These compounds are naturally present in unrefined borage products, but refined borage oils typically have very low or undetectable PA content, minimizing this risk. Borage may interact with certain medications; specifically, it could have additive effects with anticoagulants, increasing the risk of bleeding, and may interact with other anti-inflammatory drugs. Contraindications for borage use include pregnancy, due to the risk of uterine stimulation, pre-existing liver disease, and a known allergy to borage. Caution is advised when considering borage for children and pregnant women, although borage oil may be included in infant formula under medical supervision.

Dosage

For rheumatoid arthritis, a minimum effective dose of 4.5 g/day of borage seed oil has been suggested. However, there is no established dosage for borage powder form. The optimal dosage range for borage seed oil in inflammatory conditions is typically between 4.5 and 7.2 g/day. A maximum safe dose for borage is not well defined, and long-term use, particularly of unrefined products, should be monitored for potential liver toxicity. Dosing is generally recommended daily, and any potential effects may take several weeks to manifest. For clinical use, borage oil standardized for its GLA content is preferred over borage powder due to its more consistent composition and better-studied efficacy. The absorption of fatty acids like GLA can be enhanced when consumed with dietary fat. No specific cofactors are identified as necessary for borage's efficacy.

FAQs

Is borage powder effective for eczema?

Current high-quality evidence, particularly from a Cochrane review, does not support significant benefit for eczema symptoms with borage oil or powder.

Is it safe to use during pregnancy?

No, borage is contraindicated during pregnancy due to the risk of uterine stimulation and potential toxicity from pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

How long before effects are seen?

If any effects are observed, they may take several weeks to appear; however, evidence for significant efficacy is limited.

Can borage powder replace borage oil?

Borage oil is generally preferred over powder due to its standardized GLA content and more extensive research supporting its efficacy.

Are there risks of liver damage?

Unrefined borage products may contain toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause liver damage. Refined supplements minimize this risk.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8105655/ – This Cochrane systematic review analyzed 27 RCTs (1596 participants) on evening primrose oil and borage oil for eczema. Eight studies on borage oil showed no significant improvement in global eczema symptoms compared to placebo. The review noted limitations due to heterogeneity in outcome measures and inability to meta-analyze borage oil data, despite most studies having a low risk of bias.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9699062/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated herbal and nutritional supplements for PMS. While some supplements showed mild benefits, borage was not conclusively effective. The study reported mild adverse events and noted moderate study quality with appropriate statistical methods.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-596/borage – This WebMD summary provides information on dosing and safety for borage seed oil. It highlights its use in rheumatoid arthritis (4.5-7.2 g/day) and as a supplement in infant formula, while also noting potential side effects and cautions regarding pyrrolizidine alkaloids.