Overview

Borage is a plant. Its flowers and leaves, as well as the oil from its seeds are used as medicine.

Borage seed oil, often known as Starflower Oil is used for skin disorders including eczema (atopic dermatitis), red, itchy rash on the scalp (seborrheic dermatitis), and a type of skin condition called neurodermatitis. It is also used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), swelling of the gums, stress, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), diabetes, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), alcoholism, pain and swelling (inflammation), asthma, and for preventing heart disease and stroke. Borage oil is sometimes added to infant formula in small amounts to provide fatty acids needed to promote development of preterm infants.

Borage flower and leaves are used for fever, cough, and depression.

Borage is also used for a hormone problem called adrenal insufficiency, for "blood purification," to increase urine flow, to prevent inflammation of the lungs, as a sedative, and to promote sweating. Borage is also used to increase breast milk production and to treat bronchitis and colds.

Borage is applied to the skin for red, itchy rash on the scalp of infants (seborrheic dermatitis) and is also used in a dressing to soften the skin.

In foods, borage is eaten in salads and soups.

In manufacturing, borage is used in skin care products.

Classification

Is a Form Of:

Plant

Primary Functions:

Skin disorders

Also Known As:

Bee Plant, Beebread, Borage Flower, Borage Leaf, Borage Oil

How Does It Work?

Borage seed oil contains a fatty acid called gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA seems to have anti-inflammatory effects. Borage flower might have an antioxidant effect.

Uses

• Improving the function of the lungs in critically ill patients. There is some evidence that borage seed oil, when taken by mouth in combination with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), might reduce the number of days spent in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the length of time a breathing machine is needed by patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• Growth and development in premature infants. Infant formula supplemented with fatty acids from borage oil and fish oils seems to improve growth and development of the nervous system in infants born early, especially boys.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is some evidence that taking borage seed oil in combination with conventional painkilling or anti-inflammatory medications might help decrease symptoms of RA after six weeks of treatment. The improvement appears to last for up to 24 weeks. Improvement is measured as a decrease in the number and severity of tender and swollen joints.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

• For rheumatoid arthritis (RA): 4.5-7.2 grams of borage seed oil daily for up to 24 weeks.

CHILDREN

BY MOUTH:

• For growth and development in premature infants: Infant formula containing borage oil and fish oils has been used. Borage oil and fish oil have been added to the formula to provide 0.9 grams of gamma linolenic acid, 0.1 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid, and 0.5 grams of docosahexaenoic acid per 100 grams of fat (13745).

Borage Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of borage?

Borage is also used for a hormone problem called adrenal insufficiency, for "blood purification," to increase urine flow, to prevent inflammation of the lungs, as a sedative, and to promote sweating. Borage is also used to increase breast milk production and to treat bronchitis and colds.

Is borage oil bad for your liver?

You have liver disease: Borage oil may have small amounts of a compound that causes toxic liver effects. You are taking drugs that can cause liver toxicity (eg, anabolic steroids, ketoconazole): Borage contains small amounts of compounds also known to be toxic to the liver.

Is borage oil good for skin?

Borage Oil is a little-known secret for keeping your skin healthy. It is a natural oil that not only restores moisture and smoothness to dry and damaged skin but can also provide relief to people who suffer from chronic skin disorders such as eczema and atopic dermatitis.

Is borage tea safe?

Loose-leaf or prepackaged teas are available as well, which can be steeped in hot water to make a soothing cup of borage tea. Keep in mind that the borage plant also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which are compounds that can be toxic to the liver and may contribute to cancer growth.

Does borage oil affect hormones?

Borage Oil

However, it is thanks to its role as a hormone regulator that starflower oil benefits female-specific health conditions such as PMS and menopause.

Which is better borage or evening primrose?

Borage oil contains much more GLA than evening primrose oil, and the GLA from borage seeds contains only tiny amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are mainly concentrated in the leaves and flowers of the plant.

Is borage oil anti inflammatory?

A review of studies using borage oil topically, and other GLA-containing essential oils, found borage oil has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can be beneficial for people with atopic dermatitis.

Is borage carcinogenic?

Borage (Borago officinalis) is available as plant parts such as the leaf and flower and borage seed oil. Borage plant parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver and lungs and possibly carcinogenic.

Is borage good for the garden?

In the garden, the uses of borage include repelling pests such as hornworms, attracting pollinators, and aiding any plants it is interplanted with by increasing resistance to pests and disease. It is also helpful to, and compatible with, most plants — notably tomatoes, strawberries and squash.

What is borage grown for?

Traditionally borage was cultivated for culinary and medicinal uses, although today commercial cultivation is mainly as an oilseed. Borage is used as either a fresh vegetable or a dried herb. As a fresh vegetable, borage, with a cucumber-like taste, is often used in salads or as a garnish.

Is borage poisonous?

Borage plant parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver and lungs and possibly carcinogenic. Borage seed oil is generally well tolerated in adults; however, only products certified as pyrrolizidine alkaloid free should be used.

Does borage oil help with weight loss?

It probably won't help with weight management: Dr.

Some people go as far to say that borage oil will help your body eliminate fat. One (very small) study back in 2007 concluded that taking high amounts of GLA after major weight loss could help reduce the risk of the weight regain that so often happens.

Does borage oil clog pores?

Borage is much lighter and less comedogenic (pore-blocking) than many others such as coconut oil or palm oil. In fact, it's often dubbed a 'dry oil' since it absorbs super-quickly and feels featherlight on the skin.

How long does it take for borage oil to work?

There is some evidence that taking borage seed oil in combination with conventional painkilling or anti-inflammatory medications might help decrease symptoms of RA after six weeks of treatment. The improvement appears to last for up to 24 weeks.

Can I eat borage leaves?

Its leaves, flowers and stalks are edible and taste a little like cucumber. Borage leaves are good in salads, yoghurt or cream cheese mixtures, or served with shellfish.

Why do farmers grow borage?

Borage is a spring-sown crop grown to produce oil which is high in gamma-linolenic acid, an omega 6 fatty acid, explains Nigel Padbury of Technology Crops. There are many benefits to farmers growing borage, including blackgrass control and having a crop that is unaffected by slugs and pigeons.

What do borage leaves look like?

Borage is a somewhat gangly plant, but you barely notice it because the star-shaped flowers are so vibrant. They start pink and turn a true blue, hanging in downward facing clusters. Even the fuzzy white buds are attractive. Both the flowers and the leaves are edible, with a cucumber-like flavor.

How much borage oil should I take?

Anti-inflammatory

A 2014 study comparing borage oil, fish oil, and the combination of both, found that taking 1.8 grams borage oil and/or 2.1 grams of fish oil per day helped reduce rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms in 74 participants who were observed for 18 months.

How do you eat borage?

Its leaves, flowers and stalks are edible and taste a little like cucumber. Borage leaves are good in salads, yoghurt or cream cheese mixtures, or served with shellfish.

Is borage oil the same as evening primrose?

A: Borage oil is derived from the seed of the plant Borago officinalis, also known as starflower. Evening primrose oil is derived from the yellow wildflower, Oenothera biennis. Both of these oils along with black currant seed oil are rich sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Not all omega-6 fatty acids are the same.

Does borage oil help arthritis?

Borage seed oil is a nutritional supplement which is rich in essential fatty acids that can regulate the body's immune system and fight joint inflammation. The available evidence suggests that borage seed oil may improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Is borage oil good for rosacea?

Borage seed oil will treat all kinds of skin inflammation including eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and rosacea. Borage seed oil's even been associated with curing hangovers.

Is Borage an annual or a perennial?

An annual by definition, B. officinalis behaves like a perennial. It is a self-sower that ensures its future by dropping seeds in autumn that germinate the following spring. This is an adaptable plant that thrives in any soil, requires low to moderate moisture, and can withstand drought conditions.

Is borage oil good for hair?

Oils high in GLA (like borage oil) could help reduce inflammation associated with acne and support fuller hair growth.

Clinical Studies