Starflower Oil is extracted from the seed of the starflower plant (borage officinalis), a pretty blue flower that grows in parts of Europe and North Africa. Starflowers have long been known for their medicinal properties,and starflower oil is one of the secrets of blossoming health for today’s woman.
Starflower oil is the most concentrated plant source of GLA (gammalinoleic acid) known to man. This is why starflower oil capsules are an ideal source of this essential nutrient and are one of the most popular and acclaimed nutritional supplements for women.
GLA is well known for its beneficial effects on the immune system, and is considered to be a powerful regulator of metabolism and the hormonal system.
It’s no surprise then that starflower oil capsules are often used as an essential remedy for PMS, mood swings, menstrual cramps, breast tenderness and other menstrual problems as well as menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. GLA also has anti-inflammatory properties and may be indicated to alleviate the symptoms of colds, bronchitis, and respiratory infections in general. Starflower oil can also prove beneficial for eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions, and even high blood pressure.
The recommended dose for the full starflower oil benefits is 1000mg a day, which we advise to take as a single capsule. Beware cheaper products as they will probably contain only 500mg of oil and you will need to take twice as many.
To make buying starflower oil easy for you, we’ve scoured the net for the best prices, which we keep updated IN REAL TIME so you know you’re always getting the best value.
Here are today’s cheapest starflower oil capsules.
#1 by Lesley on December 13th, 2010
Hi Mary
We’re not doctors here, and would advise you to take any medical concerns to yr doctor.
But starflower oil has no known interactions with pharmaceuticals, no known adverse side effects and can be taken in normal dosage before, during and after pregnancy with no known problems.
The general view, and what works for the majority of women, is that 1000mg a day starflower oil capsules, taken every day from the onset of menstruation, for as long as you like, will give you much easier periods and a generally better feeling of wellbeing for as long as you are taking them.
But at the end of the day it’s what you feel comfortable with that matters. If you want to stop and start, feel happier that way, and feel you’re getting the benefits, then that’s what you should do. We’re all different, and there’s no point at all doing anything that leaves you feeling uneasy, whether your feelings are justified or not.
Hope this helps
Lesley, Starflower oil staff.
#2 by mary on December 12th, 2010
O and has it been taken in pregnancy…
#3 by mary on December 12th, 2010
thanks again lesley.. ill leave you alone after this..ive read that gla produces prostaglandins which is used to bring on labour..i get all confused and i feel stopping it it will go out of my system or wont be as effective
#4 by Lesley on December 12th, 2010
Hi Mary
That’s good news about your baby boy!! Well done.
Anyway, the active ingredient in Starflower oil is GLA, the same as in Evening primrose oil, except that Starflower oil has a higher concentration of it so we always advise people to take Starflower oil and not bother with the evening primrose capsules. 1000mg is the normal dose, and most women take it because it helps make their periods bearable, so are happy to take it every day for most of their lives and continue to enjoy the benefits. Many even carry on taking it after the menopause as they still find it beneficial.
Some women take 2000mg for a week or so around the time of their period as they find that helps – it’s all down to what works for you really.
We do think that taking starflower capsules continuously is important though, as they normally take a couple of months for you to fully feel the benefits as they start to work on your body, so and stopping and starting hasn’t, in our experience, proved as effective.
Hope this helps
Lesley, starflower oil staff
#5 by mary on December 12th, 2010
Thanks so much for your last answer…. is there any difference between starflower oil and evening primrose other than its a different plant… is 2000mg too much to take… cause i had to take 3000mg of EPO for it to work for my cervical mucus when i lowered it i was back to hostile cervical mucus but only for it i wouldnt have become pregnant last year and i had a healthy baby boy in jan… its just the delaying of ovulation was annoying my periods had moved from 4 wks to 6wks before i became pregnant.. is there any need to stop taking it after ovulation…thanking you again Mary…
#6 by Lesley on December 12th, 2010
Hi Mary
No large independent studies have been carried out into the benefits of starflower oil, or into its effects on the monthly cycle.
All that’s been determined, and that by report as much as anything, is that it does have a beneficial effect on the worst symptoms of menstruation in most women. Since starflower oil is natural, very cheap and isn’t a pharmaceutical developed at huge cost, nobody is going to put money into studies, so I doubt there’ll ever be a definitive answer. We haven’t heard of it delaying ovulation, and indeed have had some reports of starflower helping get pregnancy started, but can’t say that it doesn’t. So your post is interesting and very useful.
Because we’ve seen that starflower oil benefits so many women, and there are no known drug interactions so it’s very safe, that’s why we spend our time encouraging all women who haven’t yet started taking the starflower capsules to do so. But we’re always keen to hear personal experiences such as your own.
Lesley, Starflower oil staff
#7 by mary on December 11th, 2010
i was taking evening primrose oil for hostile cervical mucus 3000mg to be precise.. i noticed it delayed me ovulating…
so i only started on starflower oil 2000mg and i was wondering has it the same side effects as EPO like delayed ovulation and also uterine contractions…
thanks mary
#8 by Lesley on November 26th, 2010
Hi rhyannan,
it can take up to three months for the starflower oil to really kick in. so if you’ve only been taking it a month, I’d try it for a bit longer.
We’re not doctors here, just people who know starflower oil benefits, so if you’ve got concerns about your health, the best thing is to go and see your G P
Lesley, starflower oil staff.
#9 by rhyannan on November 26th, 2010
i take starflower oil daily as well as vitamin b6, vitamin d, zink and iron tablets and have been for a month now. but for the past week i have been feeling more hungery, im getting period pains mid cycle, my breast are tender and im putting on weight but im not pregnant. what could be causing this? please help
#10 by Lesley on November 20th, 2010
Hi Maureen, there are no known interactions with starflower oil, so you should be fine.
But as I say, we’re not doctors here and if you’re unsure about prescribed medicines, have a chat with your General Practitioner.
Lesley, starflower oil staff.
#11 by Maureen on November 20th, 2010
I take propranolol for panic attacks is it ok to take with Starflower Oil. Many Thanks in advance
#12 by admin on November 8th, 2010
Hi Gill
Thanks for taking the time to ask the question.
Firstly, I’d say you don’t need the evening primrose oil, as its active ingredient, GLA, is the same as that in starflower oil, but not so concentrated. So I’d stick with the starflower on its own for all the starflower oil benefits.
Secondly, I’m pretty sure that your symptom is not related to your starflower/evening primrose oil. It’s certainly not something we’ve heard of, and one of the benefits of starflower is its lack of side effects.
By all means stop taking it and see if it makes any difference, but we’re not doctors here, and with symptoms like that I’d recommend seeing your doctor straight away and seeing what they think.
Hope that helps Margaret, Starflower Oil Staff
#13 by gill on November 8th, 2010
Hi
I’ve recently started taking starflower oil with my usual evening primrose oil but I’ve noticed that I now start to sweat at the slightest exertion. its very unpleasant and was wondering if it could be a reaction to the starflower?
#14 by Lesley on September 11th, 2010
Hi Marie, we normally advise people to take starflower oil and other vitamins in the morning rather than at night. This then lets them get absorbed along with the food you eat during the day. Certain vitamins need others at the same time to get properly absorbed, so it’s a wise precaution to take them in the morning if you can manage it – perhaps with your breakfast.
Hope this helps
Lesley, Starflower oil staff
#15 by marie on September 10th, 2010
Hi i take selenium&vitamins A,C&E Cod liver oil, Odourless garlic Calcium&vitaminD Evening primrose oil and Starflower oil all at the same time just before i go to bed is that alright or should i take them in the morning. My doc says i have a vitamin D defichinchy olthough i take tablets for it. I know i need more sun but when i’m out in the sun i end up with a sore head although i wear dark glasses when outside Please advice
#16 by Lesley on September 6th, 2010
Hi Rebecca, thanks for the question.
Borage is just the “official” name for starflower, so they’re exactly the same thing. There have been some reports of starflower oil aiding fertility, though as you say it’s not one of the regularly quoted starflower oil benefits, and no trials have been conducted so I can’t really say one way or the other.
And yes, staflower oil is perfectly safe to take while breastfeeding.
Hope this helps
Lesley, starflower oil staff
#17 by rebecca on September 5th, 2010
hi there
can you advise if there is a difference between starflower oil and borage oil?
i was told borage oil aided fertility but this is not mentioned in the starflower side affects?
also can you take starflower oil, when breastfeeding?
many thanks
#18 by Lesley on August 16th, 2010
Hi Hayley, thanks for the question.
Yes it’s fine to take starflower oil while on the contraceptive pill. Starflower oil is wonderful in that while it has great benefits for all the nasty symptoms associated with your monthly cycle, it has no known side effects or interactions.
Of course, we’re not doctors here, just people who want to help other women get the benefits of starflower oil, so we always recommend having a chat with your doctor when you’re on medication of any kind and want to make absolutely sure there are no interactions.
Lesley, Starflower Oil Staff
#19 by Hayley on August 16th, 2010
Hello, I have recently been told about the benefits of Starflower oil and have been doing some research. I am on the contraceptive pill and have suffered from irregular periods for many years and also suffer with bad skin on my face. Further to this i suffer with bloating and irritable bowel syndrome. Is it ok to take Starflower oil whilst on the contraceotive pill?
Thank you for any advice.
#20 by Lesley on August 12th, 2010
Hi Emma
Thanks for getting in touch. We’re not doctors here, but starflower oil benefits come without side effects, so I’d be very surprised if the starflower oil is the cause. Most women I know have been taking it for years and years, and there’s no need really to stop it ever.
As you’re on the contraceptive pill, I’d pop along and have a word with your doctor as that is what I’d suspect as being your problem.
Hope this helps
Lesley, starflower oil staff
#21 by Emma Sayers on August 11th, 2010
Please advise:I’ve been taking starflower for about 3years along side various contraceptive pills&up till recently have never noticed any bad effects but am now wondering if it’s my 2 year pill that’s changing my cycle and therefore needs to be changed or if I should give the starflower a break -Please PLS advise :0(
#22 by admin on July 19th, 2010
Hi Lisa, I think that advice means to stop taking ALL supplements before the op – and that includes starflower oil.
Hope it goes well for you.
Lesley, Starflower oil staff
#23 by Lisa on July 19th, 2010
Hi
I am going in for surgery for ovarian cysts to be removed. I have been advised to stop taking multi-vitamins one week prior to the op. Do I also have to stop taking star flower oil as well?
#24 by admin on July 19th, 2010
Hi Morgan
Thanks for the question. There’s no problem at all taking those together. Starflower oil doesn’t interact with other supplements, so you can continue to enjoy the benefits of starflower oil.
Lesley, Starflower Oil staff.
#25 by Morgan on July 18th, 2010
I take 2 tablespoons of Ground Flaxseed every morning with my breakfast. I recently just starting taking Starflower capsules 1000mg with 220mg GLA. Is it safe to take Ground Flaxseed with Starflower capsules together daily? Thank you!
#26 by jax on June 7th, 2010
i have pms, and have suffered badly for 25 years
i have been taking primrose oil caps, vit b6, magnesium, vit c + zinc , and has just added starflower caps …. will these all work well together
#27 by admin on May 24th, 2010
Hi Hayley
Thanks for getting in touch.
All we can say is it won’t do any harm! But a problem like yours is best discussed with your doctor
Helen Starflower oil staff
#28 by Hayley on May 24th, 2010
I recently suffered a miscarriage and have been waiting 9 weeks for my first cycle to return. Would taking this help me? I’m desperate to return to normal
#29 by admin on May 17th, 2010
Hi Simone
Thanks for your comment. With vitamin supplements, there’s no evidence that taking them together or separately makes any difference to their effectiveness. What we tend to do is take the once-daily ones together just before our main meal so that the vitamins and nutrients from the meal can work together. Multivitamins are a good idea, especially if you are not young as older people absorb vitamins less well than when they were young. We also take the view that a multivitamin makes absolutely sure you get your recommended daily allowance of all the major vitamins and minerals, so even if you have a balanced healthy diet, it does no harm to make sure.
Hope this helps.
Alison, Starflower oil staff.
#30 by Simone on May 17th, 2010
Hi
I have just started taking Starflower and extra stg cod liver oil. I am always wondering if taking vitamins together (i.e in one dose) is wise or more beneficial spread over the day with meals? I also take a multi vitamin capsule – again I would welcome your thoughts on on taking all this…is it of great benefit or are there alternatives you would recommend. Thanks x
#31 by admin on May 15th, 2010
Hi Emma
Perfectly fine to carry on yr normal dosage in pregnancy. There are no known side effects.
But as we always say, we’re not doctors here, just people who know the benefiti of starflower oil, so if you’re worried about anything, especially when a little one is on the way, just have a chat with your doctor and get his/her OK too
Lesley, starflower oil staff.
#32 by emma on May 15th, 2010
is it ok to take starflower or primrose tablets whilst prenant ?
#33 by admin on May 13th, 2010
Hi Adele
That wouldn’t do you any harm, and may help with your symptoms. However, if it remains a serious problem for more than a month or two, I’d advise you to have a word with your doctor about it. Many women increase the dose of starflower oil around the time of their period and find this helps. But many though the benefits of starflower oil are, it’s not a medicine designed to cure illnesses, simply a very effective dietary supplement to ease the unwanted symptoms associated with women’s monthly cycles.
Hope this helps, but as I say, if it remains a serious problem, don’t waste time before seeing what your doctor says.
Lesley Starflower oil staff.
#34 by admin on May 13th, 2010
Hi Siobhan
It’s perfectly OK to take starflower oil and evening primrose oil together if you find that helpful.
Or you could just try doubling the dose of starflower oil around the time of your period instead – many women find this helps. Starflower oil contains a much higher concentration of the active ingredient GLA than does evening primrose oil, so that may give you better results.
Hope this helps
Lesley, starflower oil staff
#35 by Adele on May 12th, 2010
would it do any harm to take 2000mg of starflower oil daily for skin breaking out because of hormone imbalance?
#36 by Siobhan on May 12th, 2010
Can I take Starflower oil & Evening primrose oil together to help relieve some of the symptoms that come with the menopause? for eg, mood swings, depression and anxiety attacks. Thank you
#37 by admin on April 27th, 2010
Hi Irene
The normal dose of GLA, as provided by 2 capsules of our extra strength Healthydirect starflower oil, is 200 MG.
If your symptoms don’t calm down after two or three months, or you find them particularly severe, then we’d advise you talk to your G.P. about it.
Lesley, starflower oil staff
#38 by irene on April 26th, 2010
while comparing the different brand of starflower oil in the market, i noticed they content different MG of GLA. my question is how many MG do u recommend me to tk? i am 29yrs old and my PMS are impossible , hormone imbalance resulting to my face breaking out badly. i also have hot flushes. i thought hot flushes are one of the symptoms for menopausal women, apparently not.. perhaps its a sign that i will menopause at an early age??
#39 by admin on April 12th, 2010
Hi Hana, that’s an interesting question.
Starflower and evening primrose oil certainly have a balancing and calming effect on our hormones, but they don’t replace them. So it’s important to discuss the pros and cons of HRT with your doctor first. Starflower oil may then be of some help to you once you’ve got that sorted out. But I repeat it can’t substitute for HRT and you need to talk about it with your doctor.
Hope this helps
Lesley starflower oil staff.
#40 by Hana on April 12th, 2010
Hi,
I just had a hysterectomy surgery for removed my womb & ovaries with my ovarian cyst. I haven’t decided to go on HRT yet, would starflower or evening primose help with my hormone compensation?
Much appreciated.
#41 by admin on March 21st, 2010
Hi Jill
Thanks for your comment.
We’re not doctors here so can’t comment on prescription drugs or a doctor’s advice.
Women of all ages tend to benefit from starflower oil, and there aren’t any known interactions, so if you take starflower oil you should benefit from it.
But if you’re not sure about what your doctor says, have another word with them – or with one of the other doctors at the practice.
Doctors generally do favour starflower oil.
Hope this helps
Lesley, Starflower oil staff
#42 by Jill on March 21st, 2010
I have been advised by my doctor to take starflower oil tablets and come off of Tibolone (HRT) as I am now in my 60′s and have been taking HRT for 20 years regularly.I have a underactive thyroid problem and take 100mcgs every day – would this clash at all and cause problems if I take the starflower oil instead of HRT?
#43 by admin on March 8th, 2010
Hi Hayley
Thanks for your comments about the benefits of starflower oil.
Feedback and reviews of starflower oil always help other women in their decision whether to take it or not.
And to tell you the truth we’ve not yet met anybody who has not seen any benefits from taking starflower oil capsules or regretted taking it.
Lesley, starflower oil staff
#44 by Hayley G on March 6th, 2010
I started using starflower capsules to help with my bad skin,hormone balance (i suffer irregular periods) & also for bad pms that i suffer with. I noticed a difference within 2 weeks!! I now have no mood swings,my periods are alot more regular & on time & my skin is so much better.I also suffer with scalp psoriasis & this has also started to improve after 3 weeks! I would recommend to any lady who suffers with the symptoms i had before hand.
#45 by Lesley, starflower oil staff on March 6th, 2010
Hi Heather
We don’t know of any interactions with starflower oil and prescribed medicines, so you should be perfectly safe taking starflower oil capsules whatever else you’re taking.
But if you are under medical supervision for other problems, it would be a good idea to mention it to your doctor and get his or her reassurance too as we’re not doctors on here.
Borage (or starflower oil) is not a prescription drug, so has not undergone exhaustive testing to prove all its benefits, but the main benefits of starflower oil have been found to be in women of childbearing age. Starflower oil benefits apply particularly to the menstrual cycle, and it has proved to be a godsend to countless women with PMS, aching breasts and other menstrual troubles. And of course you must make sure that your starflower oil is from a reputable source such as the ones we recommend.
Personally, I wouldn’t give any supplements to young children, however safe they were, without your doctor’s approval.
Hope this helps
Lesley, starflower oil staff
#46 by Lesley, starflower oil staff on March 6th, 2010
Hi Michele
We usually find that from 2 to 6 months is what it takes for starflower oil benefits to kick in. And remember that when you do start to feel better, keep taking the starflower oil capsules, as the effect will start to wear off when you stop taking them. Most women notice some improvement within the first 3 months of taking starflower oil and they build up from there. It’s fine to take omega3, glucosamine and chondroitin at the same time as starflower oil capsules, and they should work together to improve your overall condition a lot.
Lesley, starflower oil staff
#47 by Heather on March 6th, 2010
Hi
I have recently been told of Borage. Although it was for treating my 18 month daughters eczema, I have noticed that it would actually benefit myself.
I take anti-inflammatorys on a regular basis & suffer badly from PMS. Howerver, I also take prescribed anti-deppresants & Opeprazol for excess acid.
Would it be safe for me to take this supplement? Can I also take it with CLA? Would my daughter benefit from this supplement?
#48 by michele on March 6th, 2010
please can you tell me how long i need to take star flower oil to see an improvement in my PMS moods? also i have been told that Agnus Castus is also benneficial cani take the 2 together. i also take omega 3 glucosomine and chondroitin for my joints
many thanks
michele
#49 by admin on March 1st, 2010
Hi Sue
That’s a good question and one many women ask.
High strength cod liver oil is great for joint health and as a source of Omega 3, so we all take cod liver oil here.
But starflower oil is different and there’s nothing like it for period problems. You can safely take the two together, of course, and you should see the benefit on your overall health and monthly cycle
Sarah, starflower oil staff
#50 by SUSAN NEWTON on March 1st, 2010
Hello
Could you tell me, if I take High strength cod liver oil capsules, if I need to take star flower capsules as well please?
Thanks.
Sue