Borago officinalis is the source of borage oil, obtained from the seeds of this plant. Borage oil is also called starflower oil because the borage plant produces blue star-shaped flowers. Borage oil is one of the few food sources of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid with important health benefits.
Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Omega-6 fatty acids are known as essential fatty acids because they are necessary for health, but the body cannot produce them and they must be obtained through diet or supplements. Omega-6 fatty acids are important for brain function, bone health, skin and hair growth, regulating metabolism and maintaining the reproductive system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Although many plants provide the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid, that substance promotes inflammation, according to the UMMC. In contrast, GLA decreases inflammation. GLA from borage seed oil provides some benefits for treating the inflammatory condition rheumatoid arthritis, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A study published in the Nov. 1, 1993, issue of the "Annals of Internal Medicine" indicated that GLA reduced various factors of swollen and tender joints in rheumatoid arthritis between 28 and 45 percent, while the placebo group did not show any significant improvement.
Additional Uses
Taking GLA supplements such as borage oil for at least six months may decrease symptoms of nerve pain caused by diabetic neuropathy, according to the UMMC. GLA supplementation also may be beneficial for preventing osteoporosis. People have traditionally used herbs containing GLA as a folk remedy for allergies, and some women report relief of premenstrual syndrome when taking GLA.
Dosage
Borage oil is available in liquid and capsule form in health food stores. It contains about 20 to 26 percent GLA, according to Arthritis Today. The standard dose is 1,300 mg daily, or 1.3 g. Participants in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" study on rheumatoid arthritis took 1.4 g of borage oil daily.
Side Effects
Side effects of borage oil may include nausea, constipation or diarrhea and gas. A rare side effect associated with continuous use of borage oil is liver toxicity, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A component of borage oil, a pyrrolizidine alkaloid known as amabiline, is responsible. To avoid this occurrence, people should only take borage oil that is certified free of unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Additionally, using borage oil during pregnancy may cause birth defects and premature labor.
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