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Posted 3/16/07CLICK TO PRINT

NAME: Borage

Borago officinalis
DESCRIPTION: Plant: borage is a member of the Boraginaceae family.
Borage oil (also known as starflower oil and borage seed oil) is extracted from borage seeds.
FUNCTION: Borage oil may have anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic (anti-blood clotting in the circulatory system) activities due to its high Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) content; the body uses GLA to produce eicosanoids which produce the above-mentioned effects.
SOURCES: Borage plant (Borago officinalis); GLA is also found in black currant and evening primrose oils, and hemp.
DATA: The data on borage's benefits as an antiinflammatory and for arthritis are mixed, with some showing modest benefit, while other studies failed to find any benefit.

Borage has been noted in some reviews as being liver toxic, due to the the potential presence of small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in some parts of the plant. Happily, according to the late Varro Tyler, former professor of pharmacognosy at Purdue University, the seed oil is not where these compounds are found.
CAUTIONS: The following should avoid borage oil supplements:
• Pregnant women and nursing mothers.
• Those with a history of seizure disorders.
• Those with hemophilia or other hemorrhagic diatheses
• Those about to undergo surgery.

Because of its possible inhibition of lymphocyte function, those with immune deficiency disorders, such as AIDS, should exercise caution in the use of borage oil.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION:		 The Physician's Desk Reference website entry on borage.
RELATED
PRODUCTS:		 Borage GLA-240 (Jarrow Formulas) Each bottle, 60 softgels.
PRODUCT NOTES: Each Borage GLA-240 softgel contains 1,000 mg of borage oil along with 10 mg of a form of vitamin E, gamma tocopherol. Each softgel provides 1 gram of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including 220 mg of gamma linolenic acid (GLA/omega-3), 360 mg of linoleic acid (LA/omega-6), 170 mg of oleic acid (omega-9), and 250 mg of other fatty acids.
DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.