Black Borage
Borago officinalis
Black Borage is a specialty borage preparation used mainly for skin, inflammatory, and women's wellness support, especially when seed oil is involved.
Primary Use
May support skin comfort and barrier health
Common Forms
Seed, Liquid
Typical Dose
500-1500 mg daily
Time to Effect
2-4 weeks
Overview
Black Borage is best understood as a specialty or darker presentation of borage rather than a separate medicinal herb. Borage has been used traditionally as both a mood-lifting garden herb and, more importantly in modern use, as a source of borage seed oil rich in gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA.
Modern interest in borage is mostly tied to borage seed oil rather than leaf tea. That oil is used in skin, inflammatory, and women's wellness formulas, though evidence is mixed and product quality matters.
For NatureScripts purposes, Black Borage should be treated like borage or borage seed oil, with emphasis on GLA-related uses and caution around proper product type.
How It Works
Borage seed oil provides gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that may influence inflammatory pathways and skin barrier function. This is the most clinically meaningful aspect of borage in modern supplement practice.
In plain language, it may help support skin and inflammatory balance in some people. The seed oil matters far more than color descriptors or casual leaf use.
What It's Used For
May support skin comfort and barrier health
Borage seed oil is sometimes used for dry or reactive skin because of its GLA content. Evidence is mixed but plausible.
May support inflammatory balance
GLA-containing oils may help modulate certain inflammatory pathways. This is a supportive use rather than a cure for inflammatory disease.
May fit into women's wellness formulas
Because GLA oils are often used in cyclical comfort and skin-focused women's formulas, borage appears in this space regularly. Evidence is moderate at best.
Dots indicate strength of research evidence (5 = strongest)
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or take medications.
Last updated: March 2026