Borage (Borago officinalis) Herbal Medicine

Borage Health Benefits, Dosage, Side effects and Warnings.


Borage

Scientific Name: Borago officinalis L. Family: Boraginaceae.

Other names:

Borage, common borage, bee bread, common bugloss, starflower, ox's tongue, cool tankard

Borage, (Borago officinalis) is an annual herb that is found throughout the Asia Minor, the Mediterranean region, Europe, North Africa, and South America. Borage flowers and leaves are edible, commonly added to salads and used in cooking. Borage is also used as herbal medicine to dispel melancholy. Borage has been used for the relief of rheumatisms, colds, bronchitis, and to increase breast milk production.

Borage plant grows to height of about 100 cm. The stems and the leaves of Borage plant are bristly or hairy. Borage leaves are alternate and simple, that grows to 10 cm long. The blue flowers forms like a star with perfect narrow triangular pointed petals, hence it is also called starflower. Although in some cultivated specie of Borage, pink and white flowers can be found. Borage are found in the wild but is also cultivated as ornamental plant.

Borage Traditional Medicinal Uses and Health benefits

Borage is a popular culinary herb that contains minerals, vitamins and other nutrients that promotes good health.

Borage flowers and leaves are used used in salads, tea preparation and in cooking.
Borage is rich in essential fatty acids such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) or omega-6 fatty acid that has been studied to promote joint restoration, healthy skin, and boosts immunity.

Borage has high levels of Vitamin C and Vitamin A. the Vitamin C in borage makes it valuable for its anti-oxidant property while vitamin A is known to promote good eye sight.

Borage as diuretic. Borage is used to remove excess liquid from the body, and is believed to help remove toxins.

Borage as sudorific. Borage is known to contain choline that stimulates the glands that produce sweat and cools the body. Because of this cooling property of borage, it is used to treat fever, bronchitis, colds and flu.

Borage is also used to treat arthritis. Borage is rich in essential fatty acids that help to relieve pain associated with arthritis.

Borage is known to have sedative action. Borage contains niacin or nicotinic-acid that may have positive effects against anxiety, stress and nervousness.

Another disease that may be caused by lack of fatty acids is macular degeneration. Borage may also be used for the prevention and treatment of macular degeneration.

Borage is also being studied on its effect to breast cancer. Borage is rich in omega-6 fatty acid that is found to have positive effect against breast tumor growth.

Borage is also used in the treatment of prostate gland inflammation such as prostatitis.

Borage promotes digestion and helps to relieve stomach aches such as gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Borage is used to treat skin infections and inflammation such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, pimples, herpes, nail fungus, etc.

A poultice of crushed Borage leaves is also used to relieve insect bites and stings, reduce swelling and bruising and is also helpful for clearing up boils and rashes.

Borage tea is also used to promote milk production for lactating mothers..

Borage is also used to treat hangover.

Science Research: Borage Health Benefits


The chemical composition, botanical characteristic and biological activities of Borago officinalis: a review.

Borage (Borago officinalis) is an annual herb which is cultivated for medicinal and culinary uses, although it is commercially cultivated for borage seed oil. Borage seed oil is the plant rich in the gamma-linolenic acid (26%-38%) which is used as dietary or food supplement. Other than seed oil it contains a lot of fatty acids such as linoleic acid (35%-38%), oleic acid (16%-20%), palmitic acid (10%-11%), stearic acid (3.5%-4.5%), eicosenoic acid (3.5%-5.5%) and erucic acid (1.5%-3.5%). It is used for the treatment of various diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis and eczema. In this study different aspects of borage such as plant characteristics, production, applications in traditional medicine, clinical considerations, its effects on patients' blood and urine biochemistry, and also the effect of the its products on liver and kidney performance tests are presented using published articles in scientific sites. Source: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. 2014 Sep;7S1:S22-8.


The protective effect of Borago Officinalis extract on amyloid β (25-35)-induced long term potentiation disruption in the dentate gyrus of male rats.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins with impairment in synaptic functions before developing into later neurodegeneration and neural loss. In the present study we have examined the protective effects of Borago Officinalis (borage) extract on amyloid β (Aβ)--Induced long term potentiation (LTP) disruption in hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Wistar male rats received intrahippocampal (IHP) injection of the Aβ (25-35) and borage extract throughout gestation (100 mg/kg). LTP in perforant path- DG synapses was assessed using electrophysiology method and field excitatory post- synaptic potential (fEPSP) slope and population spike (PS) amplitude were measured by 400 Hz tetanization. Finally, the total thiol content of hippocampus was measured using colorimetric reaction based on the Ellman's method. The results showed that Aβ (25-35) significantly decreased fEPSP slope and SP amplitude comparing with the control and sham group, whereas borage extract administration increased these parameters compared to the Aβ group. Aβ induced a remarkable decrease in total thiol content of hippocampus and borage prevented the decrease of the hippocampal total sulfhydryl (SH) groups. This data suggest that Aβ (25-35) can effectively inhibit LTP in the granular cells of the DG in hippocampus, and borage supplementation reverse the synaptic plasticity in DG following Aβ treatment and that borage consumption may lead to an improvement of AD-induced cognitive dysfunction. Soure: Metabolic Brain Disease. 2015 Feb;30(1):151-6.


Pharmacological basis for the use of Borago officinalis in gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders.

This study investigated the crude extract of Borago officinalis leaves (Bo.Cr) for its antispasmodic, bronchodilator, vasodilator and cardio-depressant activities to rationalize some of the traditional uses. Bo.Cr which was tested positive for flavonoids, coumarins, sterols and tannins produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous and K+ (80mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, suggestive of Ca++ antagonist effect, which was confirmed when pretreatment of the tissue with Bo.Cr produced a rightward shift in the Ca++ concentration-response curves like that caused by verapamil. In rabbit tracheal preparations, Bo.Cr relaxed the carbachol (1microM) and K+-induced contractions. Verapamil also produced non-specific inhibitory effect. In rabbit aorta preparations, Bo.Cr exhibited vasodilator effect against phenylephrine and K+-induced contractions similar to verapamil. When tested in guinea-pig atria, Bo.Cr caused inhibition of both atrial force and rate of contractions. These results suggest that the spasmolytic effects of Bo.Cr are mediated possibly through Ca++ antagonist mechanism, which might explain the traditional use of Borago officinalis in hyperactive gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2007 Dec 3;114(3):393-9.


Cancer Prevention and Health Benefices of Traditionally Consumed Borago officinalis Plants.

Nowadays, healthy eating is increasing the demand of functional foods by societies as sources of bioactive products with healthy qualities. For this reason, we tested the safety of the consumption of Borago officinalis L. and its main phenolic components as well as the possibility of its use as a nutraceutical plant to help in cancer prevention. The in vivo Drosophila Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) and in vitro HL-60 human cell systems were performed, as well-recognized methods for testing genotoxicity/cytotoxicity of bioactive compounds and plant products. B. officinalis and the tested compounds possess antigenotoxic activity. Moreover, B. officinalis wild type cultivar exerts the most antigenotoxic values. Cytotoxic effect was probed for both cultivars with IC50 values of 0.49 and 0.28 mg · mL(-1) for wild type and cultivated plants respectively, as well as their constituent rosmarinic acid and the assayed phenolic mixture (IC50 = 0.07 and 0.04 mM respectively). B. officinalis exerts DNA protection and anticarcinogenic effects as do its component rosmarinic acid and the mixture of the main phenolics presented in the plant. In conclusion, the results showed that B. officinalis may represent a high value plant for pleiotropic uses and support its consumption as a nutraceutical plant. Source: Nutrients. 2016 Jan 18;8(1).


Protective Effects of Borago officinalis Extract on Amyloid β-Peptide(25–35)-Induced Memory Impairment in Male Rats: A Behavioral Study

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and most common form of dementia that leads to memory impairment. In the present study we have examined the protective effects of Borago officinalis (borage) extract on Amyloid β (Aβ)-Induced memory impairment. Wistar male rats received intrahippocampal (IHP) injection of the Aβ(25–35) and borage extract throughout gestation (100 mg/kg). Learning and memory functions in the rats were examined by the passive avoidance and the Morris water maze (MWM) tasks. Finally, the antioxidant capacity of hippocampus was measured using ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The results showed that Aβ(25–35) impaired step-through latency and time in dark compartment in passive avoidance task. In the MWM, Aβ(25–35) significantly increased escape latency and traveled distance. Borage administration attenuated the Aβ-induced memory impairment in both the passive avoidance and the MWM tasks. Aβ induced a remarkable decrease in antioxidant power (FRAP value) of hippocampus and borage prevented the decrease of the hippocampal antioxidant status. This data suggests that borage could improve the learning impairment and oxidative damage in the hippocampal tissue following Aβ treatment and that borage consumption may lead to an improvement of AD-induced cognitive dysfunction. Source: Biomed Research International. 2014


How to Get and How to Use

Where can I get or buy Borage?

Borage plant is cultivated and can be planted in your garden, seeds or young plant can be sourced through local horticulturist.

Borage is also commercially prepared as seed oil, soft gel, lotions, creams and as an ingredient in cosmetic products. Borage seed oil and soft gel supplements are available in most fitness and health stores. Borage is also available online via Amazon as listed: Borage / GLA Softgels for example, there are other brands, be sure to select one from a reputable manufacturer and do follow the suggested dosage.

Borage tea  can be prepared using 2 to 4 grams of dried Borage flower in a cup of boiling water. Taken 2 to 3 times a day.

Borage oil and softgel as supplement. Taken as directed.

Borage ointment, creams and lotions. Apply as directed from the labels..

Borage tea or decoction. tea

  1. Prepare about half teaspoon of dried Borage flower for every cup of water.
  2. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes
  3. Let it steep and strain
  4. Store in a glass jar for later consumption
  5. Drink 1 cup, twice to three times a day after meals.

You can add other herbs or honey to improve the efficacy and taste (See cautions and side effects).


Dosage, Warnings and Side Effects

Potentially unsafe. Borage plant parts such as flowers, leaves and seeds may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver and may be a cause of cancer if taken in excess amount and prolonged period.

Possibly safe. Processed Borage seed oil that are certified to be pyrrolizidine alkaloid free are considered to be safe both for topical application and by ingestion.

May cause allergic reaction. Borage because of its hairy or bristly leaves and stems may cause skin allergic reaction to sensitive people..

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Children: Borage seed oil that are certified as pyrrolizidine alkaloid free can be used safely to children.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There are no sufficient studies done to determine the safe use of Borage herbal medicine during pregnancy. Although Borage has been used to promote milk production for breast feeding mothers, it is still best to consult your pediatrician or a competent health practitioner before use.

Liver disease: Borage products may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause or worsen existing liver diseases.

Just like in any other herbal medicines, moderation of use is recommended. Prolonged use is discouraged.

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