Borage
Other Names: Bee Bread, Borago officinalis, Bugloss, Common Borage, Common Bugloss, Ox's Tongue, Starflower
Should I take it?
Borage grows as a bushy medium-sized plant that has to be re-planted every year. Believed to be native to the area around the Mediterranean Sea, borage is now found in most mild and warm climate zones. Thought to be naturally repellant to insects, it is often planted in vegetable gardens to protect other plants from insect damage. Its wrinkled dark green leaves resemble spinach, but they are covered in soft bristles. Bees are especially attracted to borage's brilliant blue or purple star-shaped flowers, which are present for most of the summer and early fall. Borage honey has a lighter taste than clover honey. The flowers have also been used to make a blue-colored dye.
In some parts of the world, borage leaves are eaten--either raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable. They are said to have a mildly salty taste resembling cucumbers. In the 19th century, fresh borage leaves were used widely to flavor an alcoholic punch. While eating small portions of borage occasionally as food is not believed to present a risk for most individuals, taking aerial parts of borage for extended periods of time or ingesting a large amount at one time (more than several large servings of a leafy cooked vegetable) is not recommended.
For use in medicine, the seeds of borage are collected and pressed. The resulting light yellow or tan oil has a higher percentage of the polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) than any other natural source. Fatty acids such as GLA are known as essential fatty acids because the body needs them to regulate activities that include heart function, insulin utilization, and mood balance. The body cannot produce essential fatty acids, so they must be taken in the diet or as supplements. Borage oil may be used as a source of dietary fat in formulas for premature infants and in intravenous feedings for individuals who cannot eat normally.
Dosage and Administration
Because exposure to heat and light may break down GLA, borage oil and borage oil capsules should be refrigerated and stored in light-proof containers.
In clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis, soft capsules filled with borage oil were used. Doses ranged from about 2500 mg to 12,000 mg (2.5 grams to 12 grams) of borage oil which provided about 500 mg to 2,400 mg (0.5 gram to 2.4 grams)of GLA per day. Anti-inflammatory effects usually developed over 6 weeks to 12 weeks.
Summary
Oil pressed from borage seeds contains significant amounts of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 type fatty acid that may relieve pain and inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis. It may also help to reduce high blood pressure and some types of high cholesterol.
Risks
Amounts of borage leaves typically used as food do not appear to present unusual risk. Continual or large doses of borage aerial parts may contain enough pyrrolizidine alkaloids, however, to cause liver damage. Borage flowers, leaves, and stems should not be taken by individuals with liver conditions. Pregnant women should not take borage oil due to the possibility of miscarriage or birth defects. Seizures may be more likely to recur for individuals who take borage oil.
Side Effects
Eating or taking the aerial parts of borage may cause liver damage. Borage oil may result in bloating or soft stools.
Interactions
Borage oil may increase the effectiveness of drugs or herbs that thin the blood, possibly resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.
Last Revised August 2, 2007
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Should I take it? 
