Notable studies done on the "Herb of Gladness" 1 2 3
Treatments & Benefits
| • Gastrointestinal Disorders • High Blood Pressure & Heart Disease • Memory Booster • Minor Cancer Inhibition • Obesity • PMS & Menopause • Radiation Protection & Damage • Skin Disorders & Dermatitis (Internal and External Usage) |
Borago officinalis, often referred to as "the herb of gladness" or "starflower," is an annual flower that is part of the Boraginceae family. It has been used in traditional medicine and herbal treatment for hundreds of years. Known to be one of the richest natural sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a type of omega-6 “essential” fatty acid that the body cannot make on its own, it is also packed with other beneficial fats, fibers, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Borage plants grows to a height of 60–100 cm (2.0–3.3 ft), and has hairy bristles all over the stems and leaves. The flowers have five narrow, triangular-pointed petals, and tend to be blue. Pink and white flowers are also cultivated, but the blue flower is genetically dominant. In temperate climates its flowering season is relatively long, from June to September. In milder climates, borage will bloom continuously for most of the year. Other constituents found in borage include:
- Intermedin- a protein that aids in the normal function of the gut, heart, and other processes.
- Saponin- a compound that lowers cholesterol and may reduce heart disease.
- Alpha-linolenic acid- an essential fatty acid that may prevent heart disease and is important in fetal development
- Rosmarinic acid- a fatty acid that protects against bacteria, inflammation, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and has antioxidant effects.
- Flavonoids- compounds with antioxidant effects that prevent the spread of harmful cells.
- Polyphenols- antioxidant compounds that protect against many chronic diseases.
- Potassium, calcium, and vitamin C
Traditionally, it has been used for:
Cancer & Radiation Exposure
Borage Oil was found to protect the body and DNA against radiation exposure. It also was found to have some anti-cancer properties.
Obesity
In a study (DB-PCT) of 50 obese subjects, consuming 5 g of borage oil daily for 33 months of borage oil helped formerly obese individuals reduce the amount of weight that they gained back.
PMS & Cramps
Similar to Evening Primrose OIl, Borage Oil was found to be even better at treating PMS symptoms due to the much higher GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) content.
Respiratory Disorders
Dietary supplementation with Borago officinalis reduced inflammation in mild asthmatics and bronchitis.
Alzhiemer's & Dementia - Boosts Memory
A 2014 study found that borage may be useful in treating patients with impaired memory function. Also, borage increased the antioxidant power of homogenate samples of hippocampus. Therefore, it is likely that borage may be useful to treat patients with impaired memory function.
Cardiovascular Disorders - Heart Health
The GLA-producing enzyme delta 6-desaturase (D6D) declines with advancing age and stress. Some experts believe that this may both partially explain the age-related increase in atherosclerosis and indicate GLA as an attractive intervention to reduce arterial disease risk by bypassing this enzymatic defect. When incorporated into membranes of platelets, white blood cells, and endothelial cells, GLA works via multiple mechanisms to shift the cardiovascular system back towards its natural, non-inflamed state. Both stearidonic acid and GLA help treat conditions where people’s bodies lack these fatty acids, such as blood clotting.
Gastrointestinal Health
(Ulcers, colic, cramps, diarrhea)
Scientific evidence suggests that oil rich in GLA possesses anti inflammatory, antisecretory and anti-ulcerogenic effects. Borage oil also contains Intermedin- a protein that aids in the normal function of the gut, heart, and other processes.
Borage Oil was found to protect the body and DNA against radiation exposure. It also was found to have some anti-cancer properties.
Obesity
In a study (DB-PCT) of 50 obese subjects, consuming 5 g of borage oil daily for 33 months of borage oil helped formerly obese individuals reduce the amount of weight that they gained back.
PMS & Cramps
Similar to Evening Primrose OIl, Borage Oil was found to be even better at treating PMS symptoms due to the much higher GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) content.
Respiratory Disorders
Dietary supplementation with Borago officinalis reduced inflammation in mild asthmatics and bronchitis.
Alzhiemer's & Dementia - Boosts Memory
A 2014 study found that borage may be useful in treating patients with impaired memory function. Also, borage increased the antioxidant power of homogenate samples of hippocampus. Therefore, it is likely that borage may be useful to treat patients with impaired memory function.
Cardiovascular Disorders - Heart Health
The GLA-producing enzyme delta 6-desaturase (D6D) declines with advancing age and stress. Some experts believe that this may both partially explain the age-related increase in atherosclerosis and indicate GLA as an attractive intervention to reduce arterial disease risk by bypassing this enzymatic defect. When incorporated into membranes of platelets, white blood cells, and endothelial cells, GLA works via multiple mechanisms to shift the cardiovascular system back towards its natural, non-inflamed state. Both stearidonic acid and GLA help treat conditions where people’s bodies lack these fatty acids, such as blood clotting.
Gastrointestinal Health
(Ulcers, colic, cramps, diarrhea)
Scientific evidence suggests that oil rich in GLA possesses anti inflammatory, antisecretory and anti-ulcerogenic effects. Borage oil also contains Intermedin- a protein that aids in the normal function of the gut, heart, and other processes.
Cosmetics
Prolonged use of borage improves the appearance of skin, which makes borage a common cosmetic ingredient for dry, damaged and sensitive skin. It’s anti-inflammatory and anti-abscess actions also help prevent acne. Ointment from the fresh herb has shown to be effective against eczema and wounds. Regular intake also benefits the hair and the nails and it is regularly used in products for dry or permed hair.
Borage (starflower) is used in many cosmetic formulations. It has regenerating, firming and restructuring properties and can be used as an active ingredient or as a carrier oil
Borage (starflower) is used in many cosmetic formulations. It has regenerating, firming and restructuring properties and can be used as an active ingredient or as a carrier oil
History
Borage has been used since ancient times in Iranian traditional medicine as a tranquilizer. When consumed at proper doses, the herb offers several benefits to deal with modern ailments.
Francis Bacon, an English philosopher, thought that borage had "an excellent spirit to repress the fuliginous vapour of dusky melancholie."
John Gerard, a famous herbalist from the 1500s, mentions a phrase about the plant:
"Ego Borago, Gaudia semper ago (I, Borage, bring always courage)". He states that "Those of our time do use the flowers in salads to exhilarate and make the mind glad. There be also many things made of these used everywhere for the comfort of the heart, for the driving away of sorrow and increasing the joy of the mind. The leaves and flowers of Borage put into wine make men and women glad and merry and drive away all sadnesse, dulnesse and melancholy... Syrup made of the flowers of Borage comforteth the heart, purgeth melancholy and quieteth the phrenticke and lunaticke person. The leaves eaten raw ingender good bloud, especially in those that have been lately sicke."
Francis Bacon, an English philosopher, thought that borage had "an excellent spirit to repress the fuliginous vapour of dusky melancholie."
John Gerard, a famous herbalist from the 1500s, mentions a phrase about the plant:
"Ego Borago, Gaudia semper ago (I, Borage, bring always courage)". He states that "Those of our time do use the flowers in salads to exhilarate and make the mind glad. There be also many things made of these used everywhere for the comfort of the heart, for the driving away of sorrow and increasing the joy of the mind. The leaves and flowers of Borage put into wine make men and women glad and merry and drive away all sadnesse, dulnesse and melancholy... Syrup made of the flowers of Borage comforteth the heart, purgeth melancholy and quieteth the phrenticke and lunaticke person. The leaves eaten raw ingender good bloud, especially in those that have been lately sicke."
Culinary Usage
Traditionally borage was cultivated for culinary and medicinal uses, although today commercial cultivation is mainly as an oilseed. Borage is used as either a fresh vegetable or a dried herb. As a fresh vegetable, borage, with a cucumber-like taste, is often used in salads or as a garnish. The flower has a sweet honey-like taste and is often used to decorate desserts and cocktails.
Vegetable use of borage is common in Germany, in the Spanish regions of Aragon and Navarre, in the Greek island of Crete and in the northern Italian region of Liguria. Although often used in soups, one of the better known German borage recipes is the Green Sauce (Grüne Soße) made in Frankfurt. In Italian Liguria, borage is commonly used as a filling of the traditional pasta ravioli and pansoti. It is used to flavour pickled gherkins in Poland.
Vegetable use of borage is common in Germany, in the Spanish regions of Aragon and Navarre, in the Greek island of Crete and in the northern Italian region of Liguria. Although often used in soups, one of the better known German borage recipes is the Green Sauce (Grüne Soße) made in Frankfurt. In Italian Liguria, borage is commonly used as a filling of the traditional pasta ravioli and pansoti. It is used to flavour pickled gherkins in Poland.
Nutrition Content
The seeds contain 26-38% of borage seed oil, of which 17-28% is gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Borage seed oil boasts as the most abundant natural source of GLA and has 2-3 times more than evening primrose oil. GLA helps maintain animal cell membranes’ structure and function. It is the precursor to many vital active compounds and hormones (prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes) [R].
Borage contains another fatty acid called stearidonic acid. Both stearidonic acid and GLA help treat conditions where people’s bodies lack these fatty acids, such as blood clotting, inflammation, and cancer [R, R].
The oil also contains the fatty acids palmitic acid (10-11%), stearic acid (3.5-4.5%), oleic acid (16-20%), linoleic acid (35-38%), eicosenoic acid (3.5-5.5%), erucic acid (1.5-3.5%), and nervonic acid (1.5%).
Borage contains another fatty acid called stearidonic acid. Both stearidonic acid and GLA help treat conditions where people’s bodies lack these fatty acids, such as blood clotting, inflammation, and cancer [R, R].
The oil also contains the fatty acids palmitic acid (10-11%), stearic acid (3.5-4.5%), oleic acid (16-20%), linoleic acid (35-38%), eicosenoic acid (3.5-5.5%), erucic acid (1.5-3.5%), and nervonic acid (1.5%).
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