Borage oil

Indication: Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Source: BMJ, December 13, 2003;327(7428): 1385.

Research: Investigators studied the effects of borage oil containing high levels of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) on atopic eczema in 69 children and 71 adults using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group trial. Adults received four capsules of borage oil twice daily (920 mg GLA) and children received two capsules twice daily for 12 weeks.

Results: After 12 weeks, the results demonstrated that GLA is not beneficial in atopic dermatitis. Study participants were measured with the six area, six sign, atopic dermatitis (SASSAD) score. The mean SASSAD score fell from 30 to 27 in the borage oil group and from 28 to 23 in the placebo group. The difference between the mean im­provements in the two groups was 1.4 points in favor of placebo.