Borage ~ Borago officinalis

Borage

Latin name: Borago officinalis

Family: Boraginaceae

Part used: leaves

Habitat: native toGreat Britain, Europe, N. Africa; naturalized inN. America

Main constituents: pyrrolizidine alkaloids (not therapeutic), choline, potassium, calcium, mineral acids (potassium nitrate)

Energetics: cooling, salty

Main herbal actions: diuretic, demulcent, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory

Minor herbal actions: emollient, mild sedative, anti-depressant, adrenal tonic (Khalsa)

Main medicinal uses: fever and feverish catarrhs

Minor medicinal uses: pulmonary disease, mouth and throat infections, cirrhosis, dry skin, chronic nephritis

Preparations: infusion: 1oz leaves/1 pt water; poultice: for inflammatory swellings; tincture: ½ -1 drachm; gargle, powder in capsules 4 grams (Khalsa)

Contraindications: fresh leaves, due to pyrrolizidine alkaloid content (possible)

Toxicity: unknown (concern about pyrrolizidine alkaloid content is main issue)

Sources: Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations; http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/borage66.html; http://www.herbalists.on.ca/resources/freeman/BORAGO.html