Evidence supporting the use of: Borage oil
For the health condition: PMS (general)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Borage oil is sometimes used to support symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) due to its high content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid believed to influence inflammatory pathways and hormone regulation. The rationale is that GLA can be converted in the body to prostaglandin E1, which may have anti-inflammatory and hormone-modulating effects that could help alleviate PMS symptoms such as breast tenderness, mood swings, and bloating.

There is limited scientific evidence supporting the use of borage oil specifically for PMS. Some small clinical studies have looked at GLA supplementation (from sources including borage oil, evening primrose oil, and black currant oil) for PMS and cyclical breast pain (mastalgia), with mixed results. For example, a few randomized controlled trials have shown modest improvements in symptoms such as breast pain, but larger and more rigorous studies often fail to show significant benefit over placebo. Reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that the evidence is inconclusive or insufficient to recommend borage oil as a reliable treatment for PMS.

In summary, while the theoretical basis for using borage oil in PMS exists and there are some early studies suggesting possible benefit, the overall scientific evidence is weak (rated 2/5). More large, high-quality clinical trials are needed to determine its true effectiveness. As such, borage oil is not currently considered a first-line therapy for PMS management.

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