Black Currant Seed Oil
Commonly used for
Women's Health
Where to Buy
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The cheapest product is usually low quality, but more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
What is it? / Overview
Black currant seed oil provides GLA plus some omega-3 ALA, feeding the same anti-inflammatory eicosanoid pathway as evening primrose and borage oil, but it's the least-validated of the three GLA oils in humans, with essentially no strong standalone outcome trials.
How is it used? / Administration
Form: Ribes nigrum seed oil (contains GLA ~15-20% plus some ALA)
Typical dose studied: 1.5-3 g/day; no validated dose
Timing: With food
Ships trigger-empty -- included for completeness of the GLA-oil family (alongside evening primrose and borage), not because the standalone evidence supports an active recommendation.
How well does it work? / Evidence
? Emerging / limited evidence
Who should avoid it?
Avoid with: Breastfeeding; Epilepsy / Seizure disorder; Bleeding disorder / Coagulopathy
Interacts with: Anticoagulants, antiplatelets -- theoretical additive bleeding risk
Already taking it? Least-studied of the GLA oils -- reasonable to continue if well tolerated, but don't expect trial-backed benefit for skin, joint, or hormonal claims.
Research & references
Sharifi M et al. (2024). The Effect of Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil on Inflammatory Diseases: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.
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