Borage oil is extracted from the seed of the plant. GLA (gamma linolenic acid) is found in borage oil (17-28%) and to a lesser extent evening primrose oil (8 to 10%).¹ Borage oil is also a source of palmitic acid (10-11%), stearic acid (3.5-4.5%), oleic acid (16-20%), linoleic acid (35-38%), eicosenoic acid (3.5-5.5%), erucic acid (1.5-3.5%) and nervonic acid (1.5%).

GLA is not found in food in high enough quantities to maintain our needs through diet alone.

GLA has a number of potential health benefits which include:

• Promote healthy hair, skin (acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, cradle cap in infants) and nails
• Reduce menstrual cramps and breast pain
• Improve calcium retention in bones
• GLA can also be applied topically along with oral treatment
  

• Hair, Skin & Nails: GLA is a component of healthy skin.
• GLA has been found to inhibit male hormones in the skin that cause acne. GLA can be taken both internally and applied externally to acne prone areas with excellent results.
• GLA is vital for keeping skin cells hydrated and strong improving the barrier function of the skin. In women who have gone through menopause, the enzyme that converts food into GLA becomes impaired.  With aging  GLA can reduce inflammation in the skin associated with wrinkled skin. Without sufficient GLA the skin becomes dry, rough and wrinkled. GLA is a major component of glowing skin.
• In a study of 60 patients that were given 500mg of GLA per day for eczema participants had a 90% improvement over 12 weeks. GLA is safe for all ages without the side effects seen with steroid creams.
• Cradle cap and infant dermatitis or dry crusts on the skin occur on the scalp, face, armpits, chest and groin area and can be treated with topical GLA oil. 48 infants with dermatitis were given twice daily applications of GLA oil for 6 weeks with complete relief. One teaspoon containing 500mg of GLA can be applied twice a day. 
• Menstrual Cramps & Breast Pain - GLA deficiency is a major cause of PMS. A healthy body creates GLA via an enzyme from fats such as sunflower oil into prostaglandins, which are hormone-like compounds that regulate blood clotting, inflammation and muscle contraction. Just before menstruation a cascade of prostaglandins are initiated in the uterus which causes the constriction of blood vessels and contractions that cause pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloating and headaches that coincide with PMS. There are good prostaglandins and bad prostaglandins. Painful menstruation and breast pain are caused by low levels of good anti-inflammatory prostaglandins which are made from GLA. In many women with breast pain and terrible PMS their ability to make GLA is often impaired. One trial done at the breast clinic at the University of Hong Kong used GLA for the treatment of cyclical breast pain. Of the 66 women in the study 97% responded to treatment with GLA after 6 months. Further studies have found unusually low concentrations of GLA in the women suffering with period cramps and breast pain. The recommended dose is 1000 - 2000mg of GLA per day.
• Bone Density: Studies performed over 18 months found that when GLA was combined with calcium, GLA enhanced the absorption of calcium and improved bone density and prevented bone loss. Sixty five women with an average age of 79 years were given 600mg of calcium glycinate/ aspartate along with 1000mg of GLA and had up to a 2% increase in bone density whereas the group receiving calcium alone lost 2 to 3% of bone over the 18 month period. Borage oil is the highest source of GLA.  GLA Borage Oil contains 1,000mg of GLA per serving.

Traditionally borage oil has been used for digestive (colic, cramps, diarrhea), respiratory, and cardiovascular disorders.