The borage plant (Borago officinalis) is a hardy annual that grows in Europe the eastern United States. The plant’s leaves, stems, flowers, and especially are used medicinally.
Borage leaves have been part of European herbal medicine for centuries. During medieval times, some people steeped the leaves and flowers in wino and drank thr concoction to dispel melancholy.
Common doses of Borage
Borage comes as softgel capsules (240, 500, and 1,300 milligrams of borage seed oil, which contains 20% to 26% gamma linolenic acid). Some experts recommend the following dose:
- As borage seed oil, 1.1 to 1.4 grams taken orally daily.
Why people use Borage herb
- As a expectorant
- Bronchitis
- Common cold
- Inflammation
- Melancholy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Side effects of Borage
Call your health care practitioner if you experience unusual symptoms when using borage.
Ingesting 1 to 2 grams of borage seed oil can cause liver damage.
Interactions
Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.
Important points to remember
- Don’t use borage if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
- Avoid this herb if you have a liver disorder.
- Tell your health care practitioner you’re using borage. He or she may recommend periodic liver function studies to check for liver damage.
What the research shows
Most claims for borage stem from the fact that it seemed to relieve inflammation in animals and in small, uncontrolled or poorly controlled human studies. However, its exact role in therapy hasn’t been resolved and questions about its safety and effectiveness remain. Evidence doesn’t substantiate other claims for borage.
Other names for Borage : –
Other names for borage include beebread, common borage, common bugloss, cool tankard, ox’s tongue, and starflower
Products containing borage are sold under such names as Borage Oil and Borage Power.
Useful References