Borage seed oil contains gamma-linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid often referred to as GLA. Omega-6 is considered essential, meaning that it comes only from dietary sources. Unlike some other omega-6 fatty acids, which promote inflammation, GLA appears to have anti-inflammatory effects. Any claims that borage helps anxiety appear unproven or untested by clinical studies. Do not take this supplement to relieve anxiety or for any other conditions without your medical practitioner's approval.
Function
Once in the body, the GLA in borage is converted to DGLA, a substance that reduces inflammation. In turn, DGLA can block the transformation of arachidonic acid, another essential omega-6 fatty acid also found in borage oil, to prostaglandins. Prostaglandins have inflammatory effects. This makes borage potentially useful for conditions linked to inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Benefits
Although borage oil is used by alternative practitioners to relieve premenstrual syndrome symptoms, no studies prove its effectiveness in treating anxiety in PMS. Studies on the effects of primrose oil, another oil containing GLA, found no benefit in treating attention deficit disorder, another condition that might cause anxiety, the University of Maryland Medical Center states.
Risks
Borage seed oil could, like evening primrose oil, increase the risk of seizure activity in people who take medications such as phenothiazides, drugs used to treat schizophrenia, and tricyclic antidepressants. Taking anesthetic drugs along with borage oil could increase the risk of seizure activity. Pregnant women should not take borage oil, because it could harm the fetus or cause preterm labor, warns Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Chronic use can also cause liver damage. Minor side effects include constipation, bloating, headache and indigestion. Omega-6 fatty acids can also potentiate the effects of blood thinners, which could lead to excessive bleeding if you take drugs to prevent blood clots from forming. Borage oil could also interact and interfere with chemotherapy drugs as well as antirejection drugs taken after organ transplant.
Considerations
While alternative practitioners may claim borage has benefits for treating anxiety, no clinical data backs up their claims. Borage oil has a host of potentially serious interactions with medications and side effects. Do not take this supplement to treat anxiety or other conditions without your doctor's approval.
