Borage (Borago officinalis)

Evidence-based guide to Borage: benefits, dosage, safety and interactions.

Evidence

Preclinical: Higher GLA content than evening primrose oil (20-26% vs 8-10%), but far fewer clinical trials specific to women's hormonal symptoms -- most research is in skin/joint conditions.

Traditional use and mechanism

Anti-inflammatory; skin conditions; menopausal skin and joint changes; PMS inflammatory symptoms. Used alongside evening primrose in pharmacognosy references for PMS and menopausal adjuvant formulas.

Safety

CRITICAL: Commercial internal-use borage oil MUST be certified PA-free (pyrrolizidine alkaloid-free). Unpurified borage seed preparations are hepatotoxic. PA-free certified oil is safe at standard doses. Do not use homemade borage seed preparations internally.