Plant Profile

Borage

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 14, 2026

Borago officinalis

Family: Boraginaceae · Parts used: Flower, Leaf, Seed, Stem · Also known as: Starflower, Common borage, Bee bush, Bee bread

Common names in 28 European languages →

The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 7 pharmacological actions, 13 traditional / indicated uses, with 21 cited sources.

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]

Height: 30-100 cm

Habit: Robust, bristly, branching annual herb

Leaves: Large, oval, wrinkled, coarsely hairy, smelling of cucumber when crushed

Flowers: Bright blue, star-shaped, five-pointed, with a prominent black central cone, in nodding clusters

Stem: Hollow, branching, covered in coarse stiff hairs

Root: Shallow taproot

Fruit: Small, dark, oily nutlet (seed)

Flowering Period: June-September

Habitat & Distribution

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]

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]

Parts: Flower, Leaf, Seed, Stem

Season: Leaf and flower through summer; seed in late summer

Key Constituents

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) seed oil^[1]

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.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids^[1]

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.

Alkaloids

Mucilage and tannins^[1]

Contribute to the plant's traditional demulcent and astringent properties.

MucilageTannins

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)^{[16, 17, 18]}

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 6, 12, 16, 17, 18]}

Anticancer (preclinical)^[7]

Antioxidant^{[1, 5, 7, 10, 16, 17, 18]}

Digestive aid^{[4, 16, 17, 18]}

Emollient / skin-soothing^{[5, 16, 17, 18]}

Immunomodulator / immune support^{[12, 16, 17, 18]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Back pain^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Back pain

more plants for back pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1

Label: Bloating

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Cancer (anticancer research)^[7]Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →

Cold & flu^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

Evidence: 1

Label: Cold & flu

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →

Eczema^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from emollient action

Evidence: 1

Label: Eczema

more plants for eczema →detailed sources →

Headache^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Headache

more plants for headache →detailed sources →

Immune support^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Immune support

more plants for immune support →detailed sources →

Indigestion^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1

Label: Indigestion

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Pain (general)^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Pain (general)

more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →

Respiratory support^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Respiratory support

more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

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]

Preparations

Seed oil^[1]

Cold-pressed seed oil, standardised for GLA content, taken as capsules; the preferred modern medicinal form, since the whole herb carries pyrrolizidine-alkaloid caution.

Infusion^[1]

Dried leaf infused as a traditional cooling tea for fevers, though use should be short-term and PA-aware.

Dosage

Whole-herb preparations^{[6, 15]}

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.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[16, 17, 18]}Serious

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.

Safety note^{[16, 17, 18, 19]}Serious

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).

Dangerous Lookalikes

Digitalis Purpurea^{[20, 21]}Fatal

Confused Part: Pre-flowering rosette leaves gathered for cooking (salads, savoury pies, pasta fillings).

Confusion Context: Foxglove's soft, wrinkled first-year leaves closely resemble borage leaves gathered for food, and the mix-up is repeatedly documented - including people who developed high digitoxin levels and heart block after eating a few 'borage' leaves, one batch bought from a nursery mislabelled as borage. Foxglove leaves contain cardiac glycosides and can be fatal.

Distinguishing Features: Borage leaves bear coarse, stiff, bristly hairs that feel rough or prickly; foxglove leaves are softly downy and velvety., Crushed borage foliage smells clearly of cucumber; foxglove foliage has no cucumber smell., In flower they are unmistakable: borage has bright blue five-pointed star flowers with a black central cone; foxglove has tall one-sided spikes of pendulous tubular thimble flowers. Do not identify from leaves alone if you can wait for flowers.

Key Test: Rub and crush a leaf: borage feels coarse and bristly and smells of cucumber; a soft, velvety leaf with no cucumber smell should be treated as foxglove - do not eat it.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-06

Harvest Readiness

^[14]

Part: flower

Signals: Gather the flowers with the leafy aerial parts through summer, as the plant comes into flower.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The leaves are harvested in late spring and the summer as the plant comes into flower.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Useful Temperate Plants (REF-3216); leaf and flower gathered together as the plant comes into flower. Single source -> provisional.

^[14]

Part: leaf

Signals: Gather the leaves in late spring and summer, as the plant comes into flower, while still fresh and tender., SAFETY: borage leaves (grey-green, bristly, in a rosette) can be confused with the FATAL foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) rosette; confirm identity before gathering - see this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The leaves are harvested in late spring and the summer as the plant comes into flower.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Useful Temperate Plants (REF-3216). Single source -> provisional.

^[14]

Part: stem

Signals: Cut the leafy stems with the herb as the plant comes into flower.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The leaves are harvested in late spring and the summer as the plant comes into flower.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: The stem is gathered with the leafy flowering herb (Useful Temperate Plants, REF-3216). Single source -> provisional.

^[14]

Part: seed

Signals: Gather the seed as it ripens in late summer; the seed ripens intermittently and drops when ripe, so collect ripe seed promptly.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Unfortunately, the seed ripens intermittently over a period of time and falls from the plant when it is ripe, this makes harvesting the seeds in quantity very difficult.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Useful Temperate Plants (REF-3216); the seed's ripeness cue is that it falls when ripe. Single source -> provisional.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Plants of the World Online ›Wikidata ›

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
Fern, Ken 'Borago officinalis (Borage) — Useful Temperate Plants'. Available at: https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Borago+officinalis Traditional / reference
https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Borago+officinalis
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

Selected studies & references

RctEffect of Borago Officinalis Extract on Moderate Persistent Asthma: A Phase two Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial source↗ (2016)

ClinicalThe 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 source↗ (2021)

PreclinicalPhenolic Profile and Comparison of the Antioxidant, Anti-Ageing, Anti-Inflammatory, and Protective Activities of Borago officinalis Extracts on Skin Cells source↗ (2023)

PreclinicalNeuroprotective Profile of Edible Flowers of Borage (Borago officinalis L.) in Two Different Models: Caenorhabditis elegans and Neuro-2a Cells source↗ (2022)

PreclinicalProtective Effects of Borago officinalis (Borago) on Cold Restraint Stress-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats: A Pilot Study source↗ (2020)

PreclinicalHypoglycemic Activity of Tilia americana, Borago officinalis, Chenopodium nuttalliae, and Piper sanctum on Wistar Rats source↗ (2019)

PreclinicalPhytochemical characterization of Borago officinalis L. and Centaurea cyanus L. during flower development source↗ (2019)

PreclinicalBorago 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 source↗ (2018)

All 17 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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