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Borage Info

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Borage (Borago officinalis) is an herb. Borage seed oil contains a fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid, which seems to have anti-inflammatory effects.

Borage is native to the Middle East, Mediterranean, and North Africa. Borage plant parts other than the seed oil can contain dangerous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Borage seed oil doesn't contain this chemical.

People use borage seed oil for many conditions, including eczema, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), diabetes, and infant development, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

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When taken by mouth: Borage seed oil is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. Other parts of the borage plant, such as the flower, leaf, and seed, may be unsafe. These parts of the plant can contain dangerous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs can damage the liver or cause cancer, especially when used in high doses or for a long time. Only use products that are certified and labeled as PA-free.

When applied to the skin: Borage seed oil is possibly safe.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Borage products containing dangerous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are likely unsafe during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. These chemicals can cause serious liver disease and might cause cancer. PAs might also cause birth defects and can pass into breast milk. It is important to avoid borage products that might contain PAs. Only use products that are certified and labeled as PA-free.

Children: Borage seed oil is possibly safe when taken by mouth. Borage products that contain PAs are likely unsafe when taken by mouth. Only use products that are certified and labeled as PA-free.

Bleeding disorders: Borage seed oil might prolong bleeding time and increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. If you have a bleeding disorder, use borage with caution.

Liver disease: Borage products containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) might make liver disease worse. Borage seed oil doesn't contain these chemicals. But other parts of the plant, like the leaf, flower, and seed, can contain PAs. Only use products that are certified and labeled as PA-free.

Surgery: Borage seed oil might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking borage seed oil at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Medications that increase the break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Borage is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down borage seed oil can be harmful. Medications that cause the liver to break down borage seed oil might enhance the toxic effects of chemicals contained in borage seed oil.

Some of these medicines include carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin, rifabutin (Mycobutin), and others.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Borage seed oil might slow blood clotting. Taking borage seed oil along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Borage seed oil contains GLA (gamma linolenic acid). GLA is the part of borage seed oil that might slow blood clotting.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Medications used during surgery (Anesthesia)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Borage seed oil might interact with medications used during surgery. Be sure to tell your doctor what natural products you are taking before having surgery. To be on the safe side, you should stop taking borage seed oil at least two weeks before surgery.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

NSAIDs are anti-inflammatory medications used to decrease pain and swelling. Borage seed oil is also used as an anti-inflammatory medication. Sometimes NSAIDs and borage seed oil are used together for rheumatoid arthritis. But borage seed oil seems to work in a different way than NSAIDs. Some scientists think that taking NSAIDs along with borage seed oil might decrease the effectiveness of borage seed oil. But it is too soon to know if this is true.

Some NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), aspirin, and others.

Herbs and supplements that might slow clotting: Borage seed oil might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Herbs that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs): Don't use borage with any other herb that might also contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). This could significantly increase the risk of developing serious liver disease. Examples of supplements potentially containing PAs include alkanna, boneset, borage, butterbur, and coltsfoot.

There are no known interactions with foods.

Borage seed oil has most often been used by adults in doses of 2-3 grams by mouth daily for 10-24 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

Bee Plant, Beebread, Borage Flower, Borage Leaf, Borage Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Borago, Borago officinalis, Borraja, Bourrache, Bourrache Commune, Burage, Burrage, Common Borage, Common Bugloss, Cool Tankard, Feuille de Bourrache, Fleur de Bourrache, Huile de Bourrache, Huile de Graines de Bourrache, Langue de Bœuf, Ox's Tongue, Pain-des-Abeilles, Starflower, Starflower Oil, Talewort.

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