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Borage seed Oil

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

Overview

Borage seed oil is an oil extracted from the seeds of the Borago officinalis plant, commonly known as borage or starflower. It is primarily recognized as a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). This oil is marketed as a dietary supplement, particularly for its potential anti-inflammatory properties. While it has been extensively studied for conditions like atopic eczema and other inflammatory disorders, current high-quality research, including systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, indicates moderate evidence quality and often shows no significant clinical benefit over placebo for its primary applications. It is generally consumed orally in capsule form.

Benefits

The most extensively studied benefit of borage oil is its potential use for atopic eczema. However, a Cochrane systematic review of 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving borage oil (among other GLA sources) found no significant improvement in global eczema symptoms compared to placebo, based on both patient and physician assessments. This suggests a lack of robust evidence for its efficacy in treating eczema. Some smaller studies have hinted at possible anti-inflammatory benefits, but these findings have not been consistently confirmed by larger, well-powered RCTs. A preliminary study on COVID-19 ICU patients suggested that borage oil, when combined with standard treatment, might reduce ICU stay and inflammatory markers (TNF, IL-6, IL-8); however, this is a single, limited sample size trial requiring further confirmation. The largest RCTs for eczema showed no statistically significant benefit over placebo, with confidence intervals excluding large effects, indicating a low likelihood of substantial clinical impact.

How it works

Borage oil's mechanism of action is attributed to its primary active component, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Once ingested, GLA is metabolized in the body to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). DGLA serves as a precursor to certain anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, which are signaling molecules derived from fatty acids. Theoretically, these anti-inflammatory eicosanoids could help reduce inflammation in various tissues, including the skin. However, despite this proposed biochemical pathway, clinical evidence has not consistently demonstrated that borage oil significantly modulates inflammatory pathways to an extent that leads to clinically meaningful improvements in conditions like eczema or chronic pain.

Side effects

Borage oil is generally considered well-tolerated in clinical trials, with no serious adverse events commonly reported. The most frequent side effects are mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating or nausea, but these occurrences are typically not significantly different from those reported with placebo. There are no major drug interactions definitively documented for borage oil. However, caution is advised when used concurrently with anticoagulants (blood thinners) due to the theoretical potential for polyunsaturated fatty acids to increase bleeding risk. While no clear contraindications are established, individuals with bleeding disorders should exercise caution. Studies have included both adults and children with eczema, and no differential effects or safety concerns were noted across these populations. Overall, its safety profile is favorable, but efficacy remains a concern.

Dosage

Typical dosages of borage oil used in clinical studies range from approximately 1 to 3 grams daily, which generally provides around 180 mg of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) per day. There is no officially established maximum safe dose, but the doses utilized in trials have been well tolerated. Borage oil is commonly taken orally in capsule form. While no specific timing is critical, taking it with fat-containing meals may enhance the bioavailability and absorption of the fatty acids. No specific cofactors are required for its absorption. It's important to note that despite these dosage guidelines, robust evidence for clinical efficacy at these doses, particularly for conditions like eczema, is lacking.

FAQs

Is borage oil effective for eczema?

Current high-quality evidence, including systematic reviews, does not support a significant benefit of borage oil over placebo for improving eczema symptoms.

Is borage oil safe to use?

Yes, borage oil is generally considered safe with mild side effects like gastrointestinal discomfort, which are comparable to those experienced with placebo.

How long does it take for borage oil to show effects?

There is no clear evidence that longer treatment durations with borage oil lead to improved outcomes for conditions like eczema.

Can borage oil reduce inflammation in other conditions?

Limited preliminary evidence from a small study on COVID-19 ICU patients suggested potential anti-inflammatory effects, but this requires further validation.

Does borage oil interact with other medications?

There's a possible interaction with blood thinners (anticoagulants); it's advisable to consult a healthcare provider before use if you are on such medications.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8105655/ – This Cochrane systematic review, including 27 RCTs (1596 participants) on evening primrose and borage oils for eczema, concluded that borage oil showed no significant improvement in eczema symptoms compared to placebo. The review noted that most studies had a low risk of bias, but heterogeneity in outcome reporting was a limitation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC292992/ – This double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) by Takwale et al. (2003) investigated borage oil for atopic eczema in adults and children. The study found no significant benefit over placebo in symptom scores or corticosteroid sparing, and its well-powered design with narrow confidence intervals excluded large effects.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.975937/full – A small preliminary RCT by Hashemian et al. (2022) in ICU COVID-19 patients suggested that borage oil combined with standard treatment might reduce ICU stay and inflammatory cytokines. However, these findings are preliminary and require replication due to the limited sample size and design details.
https://www.painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=MzEwMQ%3D%3D&journal=100 – This systematic review by Prego-Domínguez et al. (2016) examined polyunsaturated fatty acids, including borage oil, for chronic pain. It concluded that there was limited evidence for clinically meaningful pain reduction with borage oil, noting that fish oil showed stronger effects in this context.