Borage Oil
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Borage Oil (Borago officinalis seed oil) is a dietary supplement with 7 published peer-reviewed studies involving 920 participants, researched for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Skin Health, Respiratory Health and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Rheumatoid Arthritis
StrongSkin Health
ModerateRespiratory Health
ModerateAnti-inflammatory Effects
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
To evaluate high-dose borage oil (GLA) on rheumatoid arthritis disease activity.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate high-dose borage oil (GLA) on rheumatoid arthritis disease activity.
Dose
1.4 g/day GLA from borage oil
Participants
37 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Borage oil significantly reduced joint tenderness (-36%), swelling (-28%), and overall disease activity compared to placebo. ACR20 response was significantly higher in the borage oil group.
How They Measured It
ACR response, joint counts (tender/swollen), pain VAS, DAS
To assess whether borage oil supplementation reduces NSAID requirements in RA patients.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess whether borage oil supplementation reduces NSAID requirements in RA patients.
Dose
1.8 g/day GLA from borage oil
Participants
56 RA patients on NSAID therapy
Duration
12 months
Results
Borage oil allowed significant reduction in NSAID dose (by 31%) without loss of disease control. Joint pain and stiffness scores improved compared to placebo at 12 months.
How They Measured It
NSAID dose, joint pain and swelling, morning stiffness
Skin Health
To evaluate borage oil supplementation on skin barrier function and transepidermal water loss.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate borage oil supplementation on skin barrier function and transepidermal water loss.
Dose
400 mg/day GLA from borage oil
Participants
45 adults with dry skin
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Borage oil significantly reduced TEWL and improved skin hydration compared to placebo. Erythema was also reduced, indicating improved skin barrier integrity and reduced micro-inflammation.
How They Measured It
TEWL, skin hydration (corneometer), erythema
Respiratory Health
To evaluate borage oil on inflammatory markers and outcomes in critically ill patients.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate borage oil on inflammatory markers and outcomes in critically ill patients.
Dose
4.5 g/day GLA from borage oil
Participants
146 critically ill patients with ARDS
Duration
ICU stay (up to 21 days)
Results
Enteral formula enriched with borage oil (GLA) plus fish oil significantly reduced duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay. Inflammatory cytokines were significantly lower in the treatment group.
How They Measured It
Length of ICU stay, organ failure scores, inflammatory cytokines
To evaluate the effect of borage/fish oil supplementation on ARDS outcomes.
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of borage/fish oil supplementation on ARDS outcomes.
Dose
Various (GLA + EPA/DHA combinations)
Participants
Pooled from 3 RCTs (>400 patients)
Duration
ICU stay
Results
GLA (borage oil) with EPA/DHA enteral supplementation significantly improved oxygenation and reduced ventilator-free days and ICU length of stay. The anti-inflammatory effect in the lung is well supported.
How They Measured It
Ventilator-free days, ICU mortality, oxygenation index across RCTs
Anti-inflammatory Effects
To examine the mechanism of borage oil's anti-inflammatory effects via DGLA pathway.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To examine the mechanism of borage oil's anti-inflammatory effects via DGLA pathway.
Dose
5% dietary borage oil
Participants
Male Wistar rats
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Dietary borage oil significantly raised DGLA in immune cell membranes and reduced leukotriene B4 and thromboxane production. The GLA/DGLA pathway represents the primary anti-inflammatory mechanism of borage oil.
How They Measured It
Arachidonic acid-to-DGLA ratio, pro-inflammatory eicosanoid production
To evaluate borage oil on systemic inflammatory cytokines in healthy volunteers.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate borage oil on systemic inflammatory cytokines in healthy volunteers.
Dose
2.8 g/day GLA from borage oil
Participants
40 healthy adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Borage oil supplementation significantly reduced LPS-stimulated IL-1β and PGE2 production in blood samples. TNF-α was modestly but significantly reduced. Results confirm systemic anti-inflammatory activity.
How They Measured It
IL-1β, TNF-α, LTB4, PGE2 in stimulated blood samples
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Borage Oil research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Borage Oil (Borago officinalis seed oil), involving 920 total participants. Research covers Rheumatoid arthritis, Skin health, Respiratory health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Borage Oil has been researched for: Rheumatoid arthritis, Skin health, Respiratory health, Anti-inflammatory effects. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 8 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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