Borage
Borago officinalisIts five-pointed flower gives it the English name starflower, and beekeepers prize it as one of the best nectar plants.
What is Borage?
Borage (Borago officinalis) is a plant of the Boraginaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: leaf, flower, seed oil.
What is Borage used for?
Traditional use: On the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts the young leaves are cooked like spinach and put into börek and gözleme; the blue flowers decorate salads. Scientific evidence: limited. Borage seed oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
Is Borage safe?
Safety label: caution. Leaves, flowers and stems contain liver-damaging pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Eating them occasionally as food is usually not a problem, but regular tea or large amounts are not recommended. As a supplement, use only seed oil labelled free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Not for pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with liver disease or children.
Traditional use
On the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts the young leaves are cooked like spinach and put into börek and gözleme; the blue flowers decorate salads. A flower tea is drunk for cough and fever.
In the Middle Ages borage flowers are said to have been steeped in wine and given to crusader knights for courage. An old Latin saying has borage announce that it “always brings joy”.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Its relatives comfrey (Symphytum) and alkanet (Anchusa) also contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids; comfrey root is especially harmful.
Preparation
Young leaves are eaten cooked, in small amounts. Borage oil from the seed is sold in capsules.
What science says
Borage seed oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Small studies suggest it may slightly ease joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis; for eczema, a Cochrane review found no benefit. There is no clinical evidence for the traditional uses of the leaves and flowers.
Safety
Leaves, flowers and stems contain liver-damaging pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Eating them occasionally as food is usually not a problem, but regular tea or large amounts are not recommended. As a supplement, use only seed oil labelled free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Not for pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with liver disease or children.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Blood thinners | GLA may increase bleeding; stop the oil capsules before surgery. |
| Medicines that strain the liver | Pyrrolizidine alkaloids raise the risk of liver damage. |
| Phenothiazines and some seizure medicines | There are reports that GLA-containing oils may lower the seizure threshold. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Borage.
Read more
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchA systematic review and quality assessment of case reports of adverse events for borage, coltsfoot and comfrey (Fitoterapia 2020)
- ResearchBorage (Drugs and Lactation Database, NCBI)
- ResearchBorago officinalis L.: A Review on Extraction, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Activities (Chem Biodivers 2024)
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 3. baskı (yay. haz. F. Baytop Günergun). Ankara: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 2021.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Borago officinalis
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe