Borage seed oil
Encyclopedia
Borage seed oil is derived from the seeds of the Borago officinalis
(borage). It is used medicinally as an anti-inflammatory, for treating arthritis
, as well as certain skin conditions (for example, atopic eczema) and respiratory inflammation.
It has one of the highest amounts of gamma-linolenic acid
(GLA, also known as omega-6) of seed oils — higher than blackcurrant seed oil
or evening primrose oil, to which it is considered similar. GLA comprises around 24% of the oil typically. GLA is converted to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, a precursor to a variety of the 1-series prostaglandin
s and the 3-series leukotriene
s. It is thought to provide therapeutic benefit in rheumatologic
illness by inhibiting leukotriene synthesis. This results in anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic
effects.
Seizures have been reported as a complication of ingestion of borage oil in doses of 1,500 to 3,000 mg daily. A specific extraction process may offer purified products with 50%+ GLA content.
Borage
Borage, , also known as a starflower, is an annual herb originating in Syria, but naturalized throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as Asia Minor, Europe, North Africa, and South America. It grows to a height of , and is bristly or hairy all over the stems and leaves; the leaves are...
(borage). It is used medicinally as an anti-inflammatory, for treating arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
, as well as certain skin conditions (for example, atopic eczema) and respiratory inflammation.
It has one of the highest amounts of gamma-linolenic acid
Gamma-Linolenic acid
γ-Linolenic acid is a fatty acid found primarily in vegetable oils...
(GLA, also known as omega-6) of seed oils — higher than blackcurrant seed oil
Blackcurrant seed oil
Blackcurrant seed oil is derived from the seeds of Ribes nigrum . It contains an unusually high amount of omega-6 as well as a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids . It also contains linoleic acid as well as 2-4 percent stearidonic acid...
or evening primrose oil, to which it is considered similar. GLA comprises around 24% of the oil typically. GLA is converted to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, a precursor to a variety of the 1-series prostaglandin
Prostaglandin
A prostaglandin is any member of a group of lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from fatty acids and have important functions in the animal body. Every prostaglandin contains 20 carbon atoms, including a 5-carbon ring....
s and the 3-series leukotriene
Leukotriene
Leukotrienes are fatty signaling molecules. They were first found in leukocytes . One of their roles is to trigger contractions in the smooth muscles lining the trachea; their overproduction is a major cause of inflammation in asthma and allergic rhinitis...
s. It is thought to provide therapeutic benefit in rheumatologic
Rheumatology
Rheumatology is a sub-specialty in internal medicine and pediatrics, devoted to diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases. Clinicians who specialize in rheumatology are called rheumatologists...
illness by inhibiting leukotriene synthesis. This results in anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic
Thrombosis
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. When a blood vessel is injured, the body uses platelets and fibrin to form a blood clot to prevent blood loss...
effects.
Seizures have been reported as a complication of ingestion of borage oil in doses of 1,500 to 3,000 mg daily. A specific extraction process may offer purified products with 50%+ GLA content.