Plant Comparison
Borage vs Oyster mushroom
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 Oyster mushroom: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), cold & flu, …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Borage | Oyster mushroom | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Oyster mushroom |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Oyster mushroom |
| Cold & flu | 1/10 | 6/10 | Stronger for Oyster mushroom |
| Immune support | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Oyster mushroom |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Oyster mushroom |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Oyster mushroom |
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 principal bioactive constituents, responsible for most of the mushroom's immunomodulatory and anticancer activity.
Contribute to immunomodulatory activity alongside the pure beta-glucans.
Contribute to the antioxidant activity of the fruiting body.
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 antidiabetic action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antidiabetic 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).
Generally very safe as a food. Rare cases of occupational asthma and allergy reported among people working with mushroom cultivation. Safe for culinary use without significant known interactions.
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]
Wood-decay fungus (not a true plant, Pleurotaceae) that grows in shelf-like, overlapping clusters on dead or dying hardwood trees and stumps. Fan- or oyster-shell-shaped caps, 5-25 cm across, are usually grey, tan or brown (occasionally pale or white), with white gills running down a short, off-centre stem. The mycelium is a fine white network that colonises and decomposes the wood substrate before fruiting.
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]
Grows naturally on dead or dying broadleaf (hardwood) trees - beech, oak, poplar and others - in temperate forests worldwide; widely cultivated commercially on straw, sawdust and other lignocellulosic substrates.
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]
Wild fruiting bodies are picked as the caps mature but before they become tough or insect-damaged; cultivated mushrooms are harvested from substrate blocks or bags once the caps have expanded but before releasing significant spore load. Never forage a white shelf-fungus from wood without confirming the host tree, since the fatal Angel Wing look-alike is specific to conifer (softwood) wood.[14]
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]
Oyster mushroom is a widely eaten culinary mushroom with a growing modern reputation as a medicinal fungus, valued for immune support and general wellbeing. Contemporary research on its beta-glucan polysaccharides supports immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anticancer and cardiometabolic activity.[1, 5]
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.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
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
- Motta, F., Gershwin, M.E. and Selmi, C (2021) 'Mushrooms and immunity', Journal of Autoimmunity, 117, pp. 102576. doi:10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102576 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102576 - Toros, G., El-Ramady, H., Prokisch, J., Velasco, F. and others (2023) 'Modulation of the Gut Microbiota with Prebiotics and Antimicrobial Agents from Pleurotus ostreatus Mushroom', Foods, 12(10), pp. 2010. doi:10.3390/foods12102010 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12102010 - Mishra, V., Tomar, S., Yadav, P. and Singh, M.P (2021) 'Promising anticancer activity of polysaccharides and other macromolecules derived from oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sp.): An updated review', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 182, pp. 1628-1637. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.102 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.102 - Gu, Y.H. and Sivam, G (2006) 'Cytotoxic effect of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus on human androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells', Journal of Medicinal Food, 9(2), pp. 196-204. doi:10.1089/jmf.2006.9.196 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2006.9.196 - Sharma, A., Sharma, A. and Tripathi, A (2021) 'Biological activities of Pleurotus spp. polysaccharides: A review', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 45(6), pp. e13748. doi:10.1111/jfbc.13748 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.13748 - Krupodorova, T., Barshteyn, V., Tsygankova, V., Sevindik, M. and others (2024) 'Strain-specific features of Pleurotus ostreatus growth in vitro and some of its biological activities', BMC Biotechnology, 24(1), pp. 9. doi:10.1186/s12896-024-00834-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12896-024-00834-9 - Perez-Bassart, Z., Bauerl, C., Fabra, M.J., Martinez-Abad, A. and others (2023) 'Composition, structural properties and immunomodulatory activity of several aqueous Pleurotus beta-glucan-rich extracts', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 253(Pt 6), pp. 127255. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127255 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127255 - Dos Santos, J.F., de Oliveira, N.M.T., da Silva Milhorini, S., Rutckeviski, R. and others (2025) 'The use of Pleurotus ostreatus by-products for the preparation of a gel-like polysaccharide with bioactive properties', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 301, pp. 140236. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.140236 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.140236 - Huang, X. and Nie, S (2015) 'The structure of mushroom polysaccharides and their beneficial role in health', Food & Function, 6(10), pp. 3205-3217. doi:10.1039/c5fo00678c Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1039/c5fo00678c - Drezek, J. and Mozejko-Ciesielska, J (2025) 'Production of beta-Glucans by Pleurotus ostreatus: Cultivation and Genetic Background', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(19), pp. 9703. doi:10.3390/ijms26199703 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199703 - Spacek, J., Vocka, M., Zavadova, E., Konopasek, B. and Petruzelka, L (2021) 'Immunomodulation with beta-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus in patients with endocrine-dependent breast cancer', Immunotherapy, 14(1), pp. 31-40. doi:10.2217/imt-2021-0069 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.2217/imt-2021-0069 - Majtan, J (2012) 'Pleuran (beta-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus): an effective nutritional supplement against upper respiratory tract infections?', Medicine and Sport Science, 59, pp. 57-61. doi:10.1159/000341967 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1159/000341967 - Gariboldi, M.B., Marras, E., Ferrario, N., Vivona, V., Prini, P., Vignati, F. and Perletti, G (2023) 'Anti-Cancer Potential of Edible/Medicinal Mushrooms in Breast Cancer', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(12), pp. 10120. doi:10.3390/ijms241210120 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241210120 - Gonmori, K. and Yokoyama, K (2009) 'Acute encephalopathy caused by cyanogenic fungi in 2004, and magic mushroom regulation in Japan', Chudoku Kenkyu, 22(1), pp. 61-9. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19344063/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19344063/ - Wasser, S.P (2011) 'Current findings, future trends, and unsolved problems in studies of medicinal mushrooms', 89(5), pp. 1323--1332. doi:10.1007/s00253-010-3067-4 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-3067-4 - Guillamon, E. et al (2010) 'Edible mushrooms: role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases', 81(7), pp. 715--723. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2010.06.005 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2010.06.005 - 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 - Yamamoto, N. and Suzuki, T. and Kobayashi, M. and others (2014) 'A-WINGS: an integrated genome database for Pleurocybella porrigens (angel's wing oyster mushroom, Sugihiratake)', BMC Research Notes, 7, pp. 866. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-866 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-7-866 - Mushroom Appreciation (2024) 'Angel wings vs oyster mushrooms: identification and controversy'. Available at: https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/angel-wings-identification.html Traditional / reference
https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/angel-wings-identification.html - Sugano, Y. and Sakata, K. and Nakamura, K. and others (2017) 'Rapid identification method of Omphalotus japonicus by PCR-RFLP', Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi, 58(3), pp. 113-123. doi:10.3358/shokueishi.58.113 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3358/shokueishi.58.113 - Kasahara, Y (2013) 'Clinical toxicology of mushroom poisoning: Omphalotus guepiniformis', Chudoku Kenkyu, 26(3), pp. 215-8. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24224384/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24224384/ - Mushroom Appreciation (2024) 'The jack o'lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius)'. Available at: https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/omphalotus-olearius.html Traditional / reference
https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/omphalotus-olearius.html
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.