borage
Borago officinalis
Borago officinalis, commonly known as borage, is a traditional plant with roots in various herbal medicine practices. Traditionally, its use has not been extensively documented; however, it has been employed for culinary and cosmetic purposes. Scientific evidence suggests that borage by-products can be processed to yield fractions with antioxidant and antibacterial activities, while artificial tetraploidy in the plant leads to changes in leaf morphology and cell structure. The marc from borage processing shows reduced dry matter, water activity, phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity compared to other by-products under similar conditions. Additionally, studies indicate that combining salicylic acid and nitric oxide can enhance photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant defenses in borage under water-deficit stress. Safety concerns are minimal, with no major issues recorded, and there are currently no known drug interactions associated with the plant.
- Best evidence
- D
- Cautions
- —
Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.
What the science says
- The study found that borage (Borago officinalis) seed oil does not meet international guidelines for essential fatty acid content suitable for food supplements.
- Borage by-product marc had lower dry matter, water activity, phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity compared to clitoria by-product marc under similar processing conditions.
- Artificially induced tetraploidy in Borago officinalis led to changes in leaf morphology, stomatal structure, and cell-wall organisation.
- Combining salicylic acid and nitric oxide increased photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant defenses in Borago officinalis under water-deficit conditions.
- Borage by-products extracted using 25% ethanol showed strong antioxidant capacity, while ultrasound-assisted extraction provided comparable results under milder conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is borage?
borage (Borago officinalis) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.
What does the scientific evidence say about borage?
5 sourced findings are recorded for borage; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: The study found that borage (Borago officinalis) seed oil does not meet international guidelines for essential fatty acid content suitable for food supplements.
How strong is the evidence for borage?
The strongest finding for borage carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).
Is borage safe? What are the side effects?
No major safety issues are recorded for borage in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.
Does borage interact with medications?
No drug interactions are recorded for borage in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.
What are the common names of borage?
borage is also known as: Огуречная трава, Bourrache officinale.
Is borage a proven treatment?
No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.
Sources
- T2 Oryzalin-induced polyploidy in Borago officinalis reveals cell-wall remodelling via immunofluorescence microscopy. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Fatty Acid Composition and Health Benefits of Some Seed Oils of Emerging Interest. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Salicylic acid enhances photosynthesis in Borago officinalis plants exposed to water deficit by nitric oxide-mediated boosting carbonic anhydrase and antioxidant system. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Investigating the Potential of By-Products from Clitoria and Borage Flower Infusions for Valorization: A Comparative Study. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Extraction of Phenolic-Rich Fractions from Borago officinalis By-Products with Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities. literature abstract metadata