Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) vs Borage (Borago officinalis)

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Borage (Borago officinalis)

About

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), known in China as huang qi, is a perennial reaching about 16 in (40 cm), with hairy stems and compound leaves composed of multiple leaflet pairs. Its root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, often with other herbs, and NCCIH says it is promoted to improve the response of the immune system. NCCIH says there is not enough reliable evidence to know whether astragalus helps any health condition.

Borage (Borago officinalis) is a coarse, hairy annual that grows to about 2 ft (60 cm), featuring a succulent stem, large basal leaves, and distinctively bright blue star-shaped flowers. The seeds yield an oil rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid.

Safety & precautions

Skin Disorders & Acute Illness: It is generally recommended not to use astragalus during active skin disorders or acute infections. Individual Variation: NCCIH says astragalus may be safe by mouth but has not had a thorough safety evaluation, and that people with autoimmune diseases should avoid it. Use it with care if there are any underlying health issues, and it may need to be avoided in certain inflammatory skin conditions.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids: The borage plant contains these liver-toxic compounds. In 2001 the U.S. FDA advised that supplements containing any source of them be taken off the market, so avoid the herb internally. Seed oil: MSK advises using only borage oil products that carry certification that they are free of unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids, notes that small amounts can remain, and says liver risk rises with longer use and larger total intake. Avoid borage oil if you have liver disease or are pregnant or breastfeeding, and talk to a clinician before using it if you take any medicine.

Safety text above is printed in full and is never abbreviated. For each plant’s complete precautions, drug and food interactions and preparation notes, open its own page - both are free.