Borage Seed Oil (Borago officinalis semen): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does borage seed oil work in the body?

Borage seed oil works primarily through its high gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content, the highest of any known plant source at approximately 20-26%. GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid that converts to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins in the body. This conversion bypasses the often-impaired delta-6-desaturase enzyme step, making GLA directly available for producing series-1 prostaglandins that reduce inflammation and support skin barrier function. Evidence Level: C.

Does borage seed oil interact with blood thinners or other medications?

Borage seed oil may interact with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications, including warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel. The GLA content can affect platelet aggregation and may increase bleeding risk when combined with blood-thinning medications. Additionally, borage oil may interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and phenothiazines. Patients taking blood thinners should avoid borage seed oil or consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence Level: C.

What is the recommended dosage for borage seed oil supplements?

The typical adult dosage for borage seed oil is 500-2000mg of GLA daily, which usually translates to 1-3 grams of borage oil depending on GLA concentration. For skin conditions, doses of 500-1000mg GLA daily have been used. Topical applications can be applied as needed. Dosage should be divided throughout the day with meals to improve absorption and reduce gastrointestinal side effects. Evidence Level: C.

Is borage seed oil safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Borage seed oil is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The oil may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which are hepatotoxic and may harm fetal development. While properly processed, certified PA-free borage oil exists, the precautionary principle applies due to potential contamination. There is insufficient safety data for breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding should not use borage seed oil without medical supervision. Evidence Level: C.

What are the benefits of borage seed oil for skin conditions?

Borage seed oil is widely used in European herbalism for treating skin conditions, particularly eczema, dermatitis, and dry skin. The high GLA content supports skin barrier function by promoting ceramide synthesis and reducing transepidermal water loss. Topical application may improve skin hydration, reduce inflammation, and support wound healing. Some evidence suggests oral supplementation may benefit atopic dermatitis, though clinical trials show mixed results. Evidence Level: C.

What are the side effects of taking borage seed oil?

Common side effects of borage seed oil include gastrointestinal upset, particularly at higher doses above 2000mg daily. Symptoms may include bloating, nausea, loose stools, and abdominal discomfort. Headaches have also been reported. Long-term use of improperly processed borage oil containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids carries risk of liver damage. Always choose certified PA-free products from reputable manufacturers. Evidence Level: C.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Borage seed oil is a plant-derived oil rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) used for its anti-inflammatory and skin-barrier repair properties [PMID:29280987, PMID:30000849].

Background

Borage seed oil is derived from the seeds of Borago officinalis [PMID:30000849]. It is utilized in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [PMID:29280987].

Traditional uses

Borage plant parts (leaves and flowers) have been used as a mild diuretic, expectorant, to induce sweating, and to increase milk supply, though no scientifically valid clinical trials support these uses [PMID:30000849].

Active compounds

Borage seed oil contains high concentrations of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid [PMID:30000849, PMID:20579590]. It also contains linoleic acid (LNA) and oleic acid (OLA) [PMID:33128473].

Mechanism of action

GLA in borage oil increases prostaglandin E levels, which increase cAMP levels and subsequently suppress tumor necrosis factor-alpha synthesis [PMID:11710548]. In the skin, it increases dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and prostaglandin PGE1, which have anti-inflammatory potential [PMID:2841938]. It may also regulate tyrosinase activity and degradation to inhibit melanogenesis [PMID:33128473].

Clinical evidence

Evidence ARheumatoid Arthritis

Evidence from seven studies indicates potential benefits in reducing pain intensity [PMID:21328257]. Double-blind studies have shown some benefit in treatment [PMID:11710548].

Evidence AAtopic Dermatitis / Eczema

Evidence for effectiveness is mixed, although some may offer preventative benefits [PMID:39772730]. No dietary supplements can be recommended for routine use based on trials to date [PMID:27648380].

Evidence BMelasma

A cream containing 1% lipase-treated borage oil significantly decreased melasma on treated skin areas after 6 and 8 weeks [PMID:33128473].

Safety & adverse effects

Borage seed oil is reported as non-genotoxic and non-toxic at physiological concentrations in Drosophila models [PMID:23460824]. However, other borage plant parts (leaves/flowers) contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver and lungs and possibly carcinogenic [PMID:30000849].

Pregnancy & lactation

Borage seed oil supplementation in nursing mothers increases the breastmilk content of gamma-linolenic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid [PMID:30000849]. It may be contraindicated in pregnancy due to the potential teratogenic and labor-inducing effects of prostaglandin E agonists [PMID:11710548].

Drug interactions

Borage seed oil may potentially increase the risk of bleeding or potentiate the effects of warfarin [PMID:10902065]. Concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may undermine the effects of borage oil [PMID:11710548].

Evidence summary

Evidence is strongest (Level A) for the reduction of pain in rheumatoid arthritis via systematic reviews. Evidence for atopic dermatitis is mixed or inconclusive across meta-analyses. Other findings include promising results for melasma in a small RCT and animal-model data on skin barrier repair.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 29280987 (2017) — Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. · International journal of molecular sciences
2.PMID: 30000849 (2006) — Effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid and gamma-linolenic acid on acne vulgaris: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial. · Acta dermato-venereologica
3.PMID: 23633319 (2013) — Oral evening primrose oil and borage oil for eczema. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews
4.PMID: 20579590 (2010) — Borage oil in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. · Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
5.PMID: 22336810 (2012) — Dietary supplements for established atopic eczema. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews

Borage Seed Oil

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Borage Seed Oil