What Is Borage? Other Names: Bee Plant, Beebread, Borago officinalis

What is Borage?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Borage, scientifically known as Borago officinalis, is an herbaceous annual plant that has been used for various purposes, including medicinal and nutritional applications. It is commonly recognized for its vibrant blue flowers and is often cultivated for its seeds, which are a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a type of omega-6 fatty acid6 7. Other names include: Bee Plant, Beebread, Borage Flower, Borage Leaf, Borage Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Borago, Borago officinalis, Borraja, Bourrache, Bourrache Commune, Burage, Burrage, Common Borage, Common Bugloss, Cool Tankard, Feuille de Bourrache, Fleur de Bourrache, Huile de Bourrache, Huile de Graines de Bourrache, Langue de Bœuf, Ox’s Tongue, Pain-des-Abeilles, Starflower, Starflower Oil, Talewort.

Uses and Benefits of Borage

Borage has been traditionally used for its potential health benefits. The oil extracted from borage seeds is particularly noted for its high GLA content, which has been studied for its potential in treating skin disorders such as atopic eczema5. Additionally, borage oil has shown protective effects against oxidative stress and radiation-induced damage in experimental studies, suggesting its role in enhancing antioxidant defenses7.

Agricultural and Nutritional Applications

Borage is not only valued for its medicinal properties but also for its agricultural benefits. It has been studied for its potential as a protein supplement in animal feed, particularly for ruminants, although its effectiveness varies across different animal species2. Furthermore, borage meal, derived from its seeds, has been evaluated for its nutrient digestibility and performance in livestock2.

Environmental and Stress Tolerance

Research has also explored the role of borage in improving plant resilience under stress conditions. For instance, the application of biochar and melatonin has been shown to enhance the salinity tolerance of borage plants, improving their growth and yield under adverse conditions1. This highlights borage’s potential in sustainable agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.

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Adverse Effects of Borage

Hematological Changes: High doses of borage extract have been associated with significant changes in blood parameters, such as erythrocytes, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels, indicating potential hematotoxicity2.

Digestive and Growth Issues in Animals: In animal studies, borage meal inclusion in pig diets led to decreased growth performance and nutrient digestibility, suggesting that it may not be suitable as a protein supplement for certain animals7.

Lack of Efficacy in Skin Conditions: While borage oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), is often used for skin conditions like atopic eczema, studies have shown no significant overall efficacy compared to placebo, although it is generally well-tolerated6 8.

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How has Borage Improved Patient Outcomes?

COVID-19

Improved ICU Outcomes: In a study involving severe COVID-19 patients, Borage Plus Syrup (BPS) significantly reduced inflammatory markers and the length of ICU stay compared to standard care, suggesting improved patient outcomes in critical care settings1.

Atopic Eczema

Limited Efficacy: Studies on borage oil for atopic eczema have shown mixed results. While some improvements in symptoms were noted, overall efficacy was not statistically significant compared to placebo, although it was well-tolerated2 4 7.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pain Reduction: Borage oil supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis patients showed a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in well-being, with a trend towards reduced non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) requirements3 6.

Cardiovascular Health

Blood Pressure and Body Composition: In postmenopausal hypertensive women, borage oil supplementation led to significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improvements in body composition5.

Cardiac Remodeling: Borage oil was found to attenuate cardiac remodeling and reduce heart failure markers in a rat model of myocardial infarction, indicating potential cardiovascular benefits9.

Inflammation and Immune Response

Anti-inflammatory Effects: Borage oil, when combined with fish oil, reduced proinflammatory eicosanoids and neutrophil accumulation in a rat model of acute lung injury, suggesting anti-inflammatory properties8.

Platelet Aggregation

No Effect on Platelet Aggregation: A study on healthy volunteers found that borage oil supplementation did not affect platelet aggregation, indicating it may be safe in terms of blood clotting risks10.

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Borage Mechanisms of Action

Anti-inflammatory and Skin Health

Borage oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, has been shown to improve symptoms of atopic dermatitis, such as erythema and itch, by reducing transepidermal water loss, thereby enhancing skin barrier function2.

Oxidative Stress Reduction

Borage oil can mitigate oxidative stress, as evidenced by its protective effects against radiation-induced oxidative damage in rats. It enhances the body’s natural antioxidant mechanisms, such as increasing glutathione levels and reducing lipid peroxidation4.

Immune System Enhancement

Borage extract has been found to improve the immune response in broilers under high-density conditions, suggesting its role in enhancing immune function under stress3.

Stress Tolerance in Plants

In borage plants, biochar and melatonin can enhance salinity tolerance by modulating osmotic adjustment, antioxidant capacity, and ion homeostasis. This suggests that borage can adapt to environmental stress by improving water status and redox homeostasis1.

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Common Complaints Associated with Borage Use

Lack of Specific Case Reports: The systematic review found no case reports specifically involving borage, which limits the ability to identify common complaints or adverse effects directly associated with its use1.

Potential for Misidentification: There is a significant issue with the misidentification or substitution of borage with other PA-containing plants, which complicates the attribution of adverse effects specifically to borage1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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