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Borage (Borago officinalis) plant
Mental

Borage (Borago officinalis)

Photo: Hans Hillewaert · CC BY-SA 3.0

  • Mental
  • 4 conditions
  • Licensed photo

Overview

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.

Amounts reported by sources

Preparation amounts are not shown for this herb. It is toxic, restricted, or otherwise unsafe to self-dose - the margin between a traditional dose and a harmful one is too small to publish as reference material. If you are considering it, that conversation belongs with a doctor or a qualified practitioner, not a website.

Safety & precautions

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.

Educational reference only - not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medications. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Full disclaimer.

Drug interactions

Interaction data is not available for this herb - talk to a pharmacist before combining it with any medication. A blank entry here means we have not documented interactions, not that none exist.

Habitat

Originating around the Mediterranean (southern Spain and Morocco), borage often appears as a garden herb or weed. It is cultivated both for its ornamental value and for seed oil production, with harvest typically focusing on the seeds for their high GLA content.

Sources

The interaction notes and the statements on this page that name a source were written by HerbMate from these references, which were last checked in October 2026. They are summaries, not medical advice; ask a pharmacist about your own medicines.

  1. U.S. FDA: FDA Advises Dietary Supplement Manufacturers to Remove Comfrey Products From the Market, July 6, 2001 (archived copy)
  2. Memorial Sloan Kettering, About Herbs: Borage

Traditionally used for

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Frequently asked questions

How is Borage (Borago officinalis) prepared?

Preparation amounts are not shown for this herb. It is toxic, restricted, or otherwise unsafe to self-dose - the margin between a traditional dose and a harmful one is too small to publish as reference material. If you are considering it, that conversation belongs with a doctor or a qualified practitioner, not a website.

What safety cautions apply to Borage (Borago officinalis)?

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.