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Oil derived from the seeds of Borago officinalis From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Borage seed oil is derived from the seeds of the plant, Borago officinalis (borage).[1]
Borage seed oil has one of the highest amounts of γ-linolenic acid (GLA) of seed oils — higher than blackcurrant seed oil or evening primrose oil, to which it is considered similar. GLA is typically composed of about 24% of the oil.
GLA is converted to dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), a precursor to a variety of the 1-series prostaglandins and the 3-series leukotrienes. It inhibits leukotriene synthesis to provide therapy in rheumatologic illness.[1] Borage seed oil, therefore, may have anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects. It has been studied for its potential to treat inflammatory disorders, arthritis, atopic eczema, and respiratory inflammation.[1]
In herbal medicine, borage seed oil has been used for skin disorders such as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and neurodermatitis; it has also been used for rheumatoid arthritis, stress, premenstrual syndrome, diabetes, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), alcoholism, pain and swelling (inflammation), and for preventing heart disease and stroke.[2] There is insufficient scientific evidence to determine the effectiveness of borage for a majority of these uses.[2]
Several clinical studies have shown the oil to be ineffective at treating atopic eczema.[3][4] Its efficacy to treat eczema was not better than placebo when taken orally.[5]
Borage oil may contain the pyrrolizidine alkaloid amabiline,[6][7][8] which is hepatotoxic leading to a risk of liver damage.[1]
Patients should use borage oil that is certified free of toxic unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (UPAs).[1] Consumption of 1-2 g of borage seed oil daily can result in an intake of toxic UPAs approaching 10 ug.[1] The German Federal Health Agency specifies consumption to be limited to 1 ug of UPA daily.[1]
Borage oil may be unsafe during pregnancy because preliminary studies suggest borage oil has a teratogenic effect and that its prostaglandin E agonist action may cause premature labor.[1][9]
Seizures have been reported as a complication of ingestion of borage oil in doses of 1,500 to 3,000 mg daily,[10] although a mixed review of borage oil's effect on seizure thresholds indicates that borage oil quality varies.[11] A specific extraction process may offer purified products with 50%+ GLA content.
Borage seed oil might prolong bleeding time, increase the risk of bruising and bleeding, and increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery.[2]
Because borage oil can theoretically lower the seizure threshold due to its GLA content, it could therefore trigger a seizure in users of phenothiazines or tricyclic antidepressants.[1]
Use of NSAIDs with borage oil may theoretically decrease the effects of borage oil, as NSAIDs interfere with the synthesis of prostaglandin E.[1]
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