Plant Comparison
Borage vs Catnip
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Borage and Catnip: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, indigestion, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Borage | Catnip | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Bloating | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Respiratory support | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Borage seed oil has one of the highest known GLA contents of any plant oil (typically 20-26%), the basis of its anti-inflammatory reputation.
Unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in the whole herb are hepatotoxic and genotoxic on cumulative exposure, limiting internal whole-herb use; the refined seed oil is largely free of them.
Contribute to the plant's traditional demulcent and astringent properties.
The characteristic volatile iridoid responsible for the cat-attractant effect and studied for sedative, antimicrobial and insect-repellent activity.
Rich in nepetalactone isomers along with other monoterpenes; studied for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from immunomodulator action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs): Many Boraginaceae can produce PAs; unsaturated PAs are hepatotoxic and genotoxic (risk increases with cumulative exposure). Borage as food/tea: PA presence in borage consumed as herb/tea has been specifically studied; EU has set PA maximum levels for certain foods including borage (context for why sourcing/limits matter). Pregnancy/breastfeeding: avoid internal use of borage herb products due to PA-related concerns and risk uncertainty. Liver disease / long-term use: avoid (PA risk + cumulative exposure logic). Seed oil vs herb: refined/quality-controlled seed oil is generally the preferred form when borage is used medicinally, because the main target compound is GLA; however, product quality and contamination control still matter. Drug interactions (caution): GLA oils have been discussed with anticoagulants (bleeding risk caution is better established for evening primrose oil; borage oil is often grouped in the same “GLA oil” category). Use caution if on anticoagulants/antiplatelets.
Duke (2002) rates borage as a single-plus herb (+) with predominantly folklore-level evidence. Borage seed oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and has been used for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and PMS, and for cardiovascular support; typical dose is one 300 mg softgel containing 24% GLA or 2-4 ml liquid leaf extract. Commission E does not approve borage for any indication, and the herb contains hepatotoxic and carcinogenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, making long-term use inadvisable (Duke, 2002).
Pregnancy: Do not use (traditional concern around stimulating menstruation/uterus) (Health Canada, n.d.). Breastfeeding: Health Canada advises talk to a healthcare professional first (Health Canada, n.d.). Kids: It’s often described as a “gentle” traditional tea, but large amounts are not a good idea—there’s a published case where a toddler became very sleepy/“slowed down” after consuming a lot. Keep catnip tea away from toddlers unless a clinician advises it (Osterhoudt et al., 1997). Sedatives / alcohol: Catnip can be calming, so don’t stack it with other sedating herbs/sleep meds/alcohol (you could get extra drowsy) (WebMD, n.d.a). Essential oil caution: Catnip essential oil is concentrated. Research notes it may cause mild skin irritation for some people—always dilute, patch test, and never treat it like “tea.” (Reichert et al., 2019)
Duke (2002) describes catnip primarily as a sedative, diaphoretic, and emmenagogue with experimental (score 1) support. It has demonstrated uterotonic and oxytocic activity, making it contraindicated in pregnancy. The active compounds include nepetalactone and iridoids. Catnip is classified as a mild nervine and antispasmodic in traditional North American herbal medicine, though clinical trials are lacking. Due to its emmenagogue and uterotonic properties, medicinal-dose use should be avoided during pregnancy (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Robust, bristly annual herb with hollow, branching stems covered in coarse, stiff hairs. The leaves are large, oval and wrinkled, also coarsely hairy, and smell of cucumber when crushed. The flowers are strikingly bright blue, star-shaped with five pointed petals and a prominent black central cone of anthers, borne in nodding clusters.[1]
Perennial herb, 30-100 cm tall, with greyish-green, downy, square stems typical of the mint family. Leaves are opposite, triangular-ovate with scalloped or toothed margins, grey-green above and softly felted (whitish) beneath, releasing a minty-lemony aroma when crushed. Small white flowers, spotted with purple or pink, are borne in dense terminal and axillary spikes. Nepetalactone, the volatile compound famous for its effect on cats, is concentrated in glandular hairs on the leaves and stems.[9]
Habitat
Grows readily on disturbed, nutrient-rich ground, gardens, waste places and field margins; native to the Mediterranean region and widely naturalised and cultivated across Europe and elsewhere as a culinary and oil-seed crop.[1]
Native to Europe and temperate Asia and widely naturalised in North America; grows on disturbed, sunny ground - roadsides, waste places, hedgebanks and dry, calcareous or well-drained soils.[9]
Harvesting
Leaves and flowers are picked fresh through the growing season, at their best just as the flowers open; the seed is collected in late summer once the seed heads have dried, pressed for its gamma-linolenic-acid-rich oil.[1]
Traditional Uses
Borage has a long folk reputation, reflected in the old saying 'borage for courage', as a mood-lifting, cooling herb for feverish colds and respiratory complaints, and as a digestive and anti-inflammatory remedy; the fresh leaves and flowers have also been used culinarily. Modern use is centred on the seed oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), for inflammatory and skin conditions.[1]
Catnip has a long North American and European folk-medicine history as a mild sedative/nervine, diaphoretic (fever-reducing, sweat-promoting) remedy, carminative digestive and traditional emmenagogue; it was also given as a children's tea for colic and restlessness, though large amounts are not advised for young children and it is traditionally avoided in pregnancy.[9]
Preparations
Dosage
A phase-two randomised placebo-controlled trial in moderate persistent asthma used Borago officinalis extract at 5 mL three times daily for one month. Because of pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, whole-herb (leaf/flower) preparations should only be used short-term and from PA-controlled sources; avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding and liver disease. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph gives 1.2-12 g of dried herb top per day for adults 18 years and older, with infusion among the accepted methods of preparation. Educational reference only, not a prescription. Keep away from toddlers and young children beyond very small amounts, and avoid medicinal-dose use in pregnancy.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
References & Sources
- Slama, M., Slougui, N., Benaissa, A., Nekkaa, A. et al (2024) 'Borago officinalis L.: A Review on Extraction, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Activities', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 21(5), pp. e202301822. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202301822 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202301822 - Michalak, M., Zagórska-Dziok, M., Klimek-Szczykutowicz, M. and Szopa, A (2023) 'Phenolic Profile and Comparison of the Antioxidant, Anti-Ageing, Anti-Inflammatory, and Protective Activities of Borago officinalis Extracts on Skin Cells', Molecules, 28(2), pp. 868. doi:10.3390/molecules28020868 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020868 - Ghasemian, M., Owlia, S. and Owlia, M.B (2016) 'Review of Anti-Inflammatory Herbal Medicines', Advances in Pharmacological Sciences, 2016, pp. 9130979. doi:10.1155/2016/9130979 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9130979 - Di Cerbo, A., Carnevale, G., Avallone, R., Zavatti, M. and Corsi, L (2020) 'Protective Effects of Borago officinalis (Borago) on Cold Restraint Stress-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats: A Pilot Study', Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, pp. 427. doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.00427 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00427 - Seo, S.A., Park, B., Hwang, E., Park, S. and Yi, T (2018) 'Borago officinalis L. attenuates UVB-induced skin photodamage via regulation of AP-1 and Nrf2/ARE pathway in normal human dermal fibroblasts and promotion of collagen synthesis in hairless mice', Experimental Gerontology, 107, pp. 178-186. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2018.02.017 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2018.02.017 - Mirsadraee, M., Khashkhashi Moghaddam, S., Saeedi, P. and Ghaffari, S (2016) 'Effect of Borago Officinalis Extract on Moderate Persistent Asthma: A Phase two Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial', Tanaffos, 15(3), pp. 168-174. doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.pa4116 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.pa4116 - Lozano-Baena, M., Tasset, I., Munoz-Serrano, A., Alonso-Moraga, A. and de Haro-Bailon, A (2016) 'Cancer Prevention and Health Benefices of Traditionally Consumed Borago officinalis Plants', Nutrients, 8(1), pp. 48. doi:10.3390/nu8010048 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8010048 - Rodriguez-Magana, M.P., Cordero-Perez, P., Rivas-Morales, C., Oranday-Cardenas, M.A., Moreno-Pena, D.P., Garcia-Hernandez, D.G. and Leos-Rivas, C (2019) 'Hypoglycemic Activity of Tilia americana, Borago officinalis, Chenopodium nuttalliae, and Piper sanctum on Wistar Rats', Journal of Diabetes Research, 2019, pp. 7836820. doi:10.1155/2019/7836820 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7836820 - Navarro-Herrera, D., Aranaz, P., Eder-Azanza, L., Zabala, M., Romo-Hualde, A., Hurtado, C., Calavia, D., Lopez-Yoldi, M., Martinez, J.A., Gonzalez-Navarro, C.J. and Vizmanos, J.L (2018) 'Borago officinalis seed oil (BSO), a natural source of omega-6 fatty acids, attenuates fat accumulation by activating peroxisomal beta-oxidation both in C. elegans and in diet-induced obese rats', Food & Function, 9(8), pp. 4340-4351. doi:10.1039/c8fo00423d Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1039/c8fo00423d - Moliner, C., Casedas, G., Barros, L., Finimundy, T.C., Gomez-Rincon, C. and Lopez, V (2022) 'Neuroprotective Profile of Edible Flowers of Borage (Borago officinalis L.) in Two Different Models: Caenorhabditis elegans and Neuro-2a Cells', Antioxidants, 11(7), pp. 1244. doi:10.3390/antiox11071244 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11071244 - Samy, M.N., Hamed, A.N.E., Sugimoto, S., Otsuka, H., Kamel, M.S. and Matsunami, K (2015) 'Officinalioside, a new lignan glucoside from Borago officinalis L', Natural Product Research, 30(8), pp. 967-972. doi:10.1080/14786419.2015.1088540 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2015.1088540 - Yue, Y., Jin, F. and Yue, X (2021) 'The effect of Borago officinalis on the signaling pathway of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex, TLR4 and some inflammatory cytokines in type II diabetic patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome', Cellular and Molecular Biology, 67(3), pp. 178-183. doi:10.14715/cmb/2021.67.3.28 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.14715/cmb/2021.67.3.28 - Fernandes, L., Pereira, J.A., Saraiva, J.A., Ramalhosa, E. and Casal, S (2019) 'Phytochemical characterization of Borago officinalis L. and Centaurea cyanus L. during flower development', Food Research International, 123, pp. 771-778. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2019.05.014 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2019.05.014 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2021) 'Public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing toxic, unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), including recommendations regarding contamination of herbal medicinal products with PAs, Revision 1'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/public-statement/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-toxic-unsaturated-pyrrolizidine-alkaloids-pas-including-recommendations-regarding-contamination-herbal-medicinal-products-pyrrolizidine_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/public-statement/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-toxic-unsaturated-pyrrolizidine-alkaloids-pas-including-recommendations-regarding-contamination-herbal-medicinal-products-pyrrolizidine_en.pdf - Kapoor, R. and Huang, Y.S (2006) 'Gamma linolenic acid: an antiinflammatory omega-6 fatty acid', 7(6), pp. 531--534. doi:10.2174/138920106779116874 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.2174/138920106779116874 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - World Health Organization (2002) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Negroni, M.S., Marengo, A., Caruso, D., et al (2019) 'A case report of accidental intoxication following ingestion of foxglove confused with borage: high digoxinemia without major complications', Case Reports in Cardiology, 2019, pp. 9707428. doi:10.1155/2019/9707428 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9707428 - Iraci, F. and Herdeg, C. and Holzwarth, M. and Storz, M.A (2023) 'Of mixed vegetables and cardiac arrhythmias - Digitalis purpurea confused with Borago officinalis: a case series of accidental digitoxin intoxications', Journal of Cardiology Cases, 28(2), pp. 86-90. doi:10.1016/j.jccase.2023.04.007 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jccase.2023.04.007
- Geissler, M., Neubauer, C., Sheludko, Y.V. and Warzecha, H (2024) 'Nepeta cataria L. (catnip) can serve as a chassis for the engineering of secondary metabolic pathways', Biotechnology Letters, 46(5), pp. 843-850. doi:10.1007/s10529-024-03489-w Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-024-03489-w - Lockhart, A., Simon, J.E. and Wu, Q (2024) 'Stability study of Nepeta cataria iridoids analyzed by LC/MS', Phytochemical Analysis, 35(7), pp. 1674-1687. doi:10.1002/pca.3410 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.3410 - Nadeem, A., Shahzad, H., Ahmed, B., Muntean, T. and others (2022) 'Phytochemical profiling of antimicrobial and potential antioxidant plant: Nepeta cataria', Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, pp. 969316. doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.969316 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.969316 - Tan, J., Li, J., Ma, J. and Qiao, F (2019) 'Hepatoprotective effect of essential oils of Nepeta cataria L. on acetaminophen-induced liver dysfunction', Bioscience Reports, 39(8), pp. BSR20190697. doi:10.1042/BSR20190697 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20190697 - Mollova, S., Dzhurmanski, A., Fidan, H., Bojilov, D. and others (2023) 'Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Nepeta cataria L. Cultivated in Bulgaria and Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity', ACS Omega, 8(17), pp. 15441-15449. doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c00704 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c00704 - Reichert, W., Ejercito, J., Guda, T., Dong, X. and others (2019) 'Repellency Assessment of Nepeta cataria Essential Oils and Isolated Nepetalactones on Aedes aegypti', Scientific Reports, 9(1), pp. 1524. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-36814-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36814-1 - Tiwari, G., Chaturvedi, T., Gupta, A.K., Lal, R.K. and others (2023) 'Assessment of Genetic Diversity, Micromorphology and Antimicrobial Activity in Nepeta cataria L', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 20(2), pp. e202200241. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202200241 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202200241 - Giarratana, F., Muscolino, D., Ziino, G., Lo Presti, V. and others (2017) 'Activity of Catmint (Nepeta cataria) essential oil against Anisakis larvae', Tropical Biomedicine, 34(1), pp. 22-31. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33592976/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33592976/ - Sarkar, M., Rashmi, R., Vikramaditya and Varma, P.N (1995) 'Pharmacognosy of Nepeta cataria', Ancient Science of Life, 14(4), pp. 225-234. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22556702/ Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22556702/ - Bernardi, M.M., Kirsten, T.B., Lago, J.H.G., Giovani, T.M. and Massoco, C.O (2011) 'Nepeta cataria L. var. citriodora (Becker) increases penile erection in rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 137(3), pp. 1318-1322. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.061 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.061 - Health Canada, Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (2026) 'Natural Health Product Monograph: Catnip - Nepeta cataria'. Available at: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_catnip_english.pdf Traditional / reference
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_catnip_english.pdf - British Herbal Medicine Association (1983) 'British Herbal Pharmacopoeia'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=British%20Herbal%20Pharmacopoeia - Gilani, A.H., Shah, A.J., Zubair, A., Khalid, S., Kiani, J., Ahmed, A., Rasheed, M. and Ahmad, V.U (2009) 'Chemical composition and mechanisms underlying the spasmolytic and bronchodilatory properties of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L', 121(3), pp. 405--411. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.004 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.004 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.