Starflower oil contains an array of fatty acids which makes it highly marketable. The main ingredient present in borage seed oil or starflower oil is GLA or gamma-linolenic acid. GLA is a type of omega-6 fatty acid and is contained in 17.28%, being the highest known percentage in a plant. As a GLA rich supplement that is in a better class than even evening primrose it has become popular and is a source of other fatty acids such as oleic acid, stearic acid, erucic acid, nervonic acid, palmitic acid, eicosenoic acid and linoleic acid. 

Promotes a healthy lifestyle - Due to the high anti-inflammatory content it is often used to help to reduce pain and stiffness within joints and reduce symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Borage oil contains essential fatty acids, which can help to promote healthy hair, skin and nails by improving the water retention (hydration) capacity of the skin. Due to the anti-inflammatory qualities it can also make it beneficial for improving symptoms such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Studies have also found that GLA may help to regulate fluctuating hormone levels, which are particularly evident during the menstrual cycle, PMS and the menopause. As a result, Starflower Oil has become increasingly popular with our female customers. For these reasons it is often taken alongside evening primrose oil.

Its properties have several benefits but it has become popular in recent times for women to take at particular times of the month. GLA is an Omega 6 fatty acid which is used by the body to make certain hormones.

Persons suffering from morning stiffness, swollen joints and tenderness in joints may find that starflower oil helps to maintain healthy joints.

Starflower oil is also often taken to improve the appearance of healthy skin and to help reduce the symptoms associated with acne.

Borage oil is valuable as a supplement owing to its main ingredient, GLA. As revealed by a report of a study in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, the lack of GLA exacerbates PMS symptoms as the bodies of women block the natural conversion of linoleic acid to GLA. With the use of borage oil supplements the LA content of the body may help to ease PMS symptoms.

Similarly, the properties of starflower oil are mainly due to the presence of GLA. There are no in-depth studies of the mechanisms and efficacies of the GLA and may be more complex when compared with synthetic ones. GLA is attributed to many activities including antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant action as well as increasing of HDL-cholesterol concentration and the decrease of plasma triglyceride levels.

Within the body Linoleic Acid is metabolised to GLA, which is essential for the production of certain hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Human breast milk is one of the richest natural sources of GLA, whilst LA can be found in safflower, hemp and sunflower oils.