Borage seed oil is derived from the seeds of the Borago officinalis (borage).[1] It is used medicinally as an anti-inflammatory, for treating arthritis, as well as certain skin conditions (for example, atopic eczema[1]) 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 prostaglandins and the 3-series leukotrienes. It is thought to provide therapeutic benefit in rheumatologic illness by inhibiting leukotriene synthesis.[1] 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.