Borage Oil Vs. Black Seed Oil

Borage oil and black seed oil have similar characteristics, as well as unique properties. Both oils are obtained from the seed of their respective plants and contain high levels of anti-inflammatory fatty acids. These plants are unrelated, however. Black seed oil contains certain chemicals that may be potential anticancer agents. Be sure to check with your doctor before using either oil if you have a chronic condition or are taking medications.

Botanical Differences

The botanical name for borage is Borago officinalis. In botanical nomenclature, this means that "officinalis" is the designated species and "Borago" is the genus name. Borage is also a member of the Boraginaceae family, which consists of approximately 2,000 species of plants, including several popular garden annuals and perennials, such as comfrey, fiddleneck and forget-me-not. This family also includes a number of shrubs and trees. Borage oil, also known as starflower oil, is extracted from the seed of the plant.

In contrast, black seed refers to Nigella sativa and is one of more than 1,700 members of the Ranunculaceae family, also known as the buttercup family of flowering plants. As the name implies, black seed oil too is extracted from the seed. However, the seed is also regarded as a spice. Black seed is also known by many other common names, most of which cause etymological confusion. For instance, some people persistently call the seed black sesame, Roman coriander, nutmeg flower, fennel flower and, most commonly, black cumin. Of course, black seed isn't related to any of these other spices.

Historical Uses

Borage oil is traditionally given as an oral supplement to address inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. It is also used to treat unpleasant symptoms associated with menstrual disorders and menopause, such as premenstrual syndrome and hot flashes.

Like borage oil, black seed oil is also used to treat inflammatory disorders, including skin conditions such as acne, seasonal allergies, asthma, arthritis and rheumatism. In Asia, black seed oil is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat depression. Other traditional uses of the oil in medicine include the treatment of jaundice, gastrointestinal complaints, lung and kidney diseases and to increase the production of breast milk.

Chemical Composition

Borage oil and black seed oil have similarities in terms of chemical makeup. Both oils are good sources of gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, a type of fatty acid also referred to as omega-6. However, according to the "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," borage oil contains a higher concentration of GLA than any other vegetable-based oil. Borage oil also contains a variety of other fatty acids, including oleic acid, eicosenoic acid and palmitic acid.

Black seed oil also contains a significant amount of GLA. Other primary active agents found in this oil include nigellone, a derivative of thymoquinone, as well as a plant sterol called beta-sitosterol.

Specific Properties

The Jul-Aug 2010 issue of "Clinics in Dermatology" contained an article in which Meagen M. McCusker, M.D. and Jane M. Grant-Kels, M.D. discussed the mechanism of action of GLA and other fatty acids against inflammatory skin disorders. Specifically, these acids interfere with the activity of certain enzymes involved in stimulating the release of inflammatory chemicals. Among the conditions recognized as responding to GLA therapy were acne vulgaris, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Black seed oil may have more than anti-inflammatory properties to offer. According to Hwyda Arafat, M.D., Ph.D. and fellow researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, thymoquinone isolated from black seed oil triggered apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in human pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Safety Profile Comparison

The PDR states that there are no known side effects associated with borage oil. However, according to a 2010 study published in the "Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology," black seed extract affects neurotransmission in the brain and exerts a sedative effect. While this doesn't necessarily translate to toxicity, it does suggest that black seed oil may increase the effects of antidepressant medications.